Freddy's three thoughts of the game:
1. Penalties kill: A key to Minnesota State's penalty kill over the last few weeks has been the team's disciplined play. That was important in Friday's win when the Mavericks were fresh enough to withstand the Bulldogs' barrage in the third period. On Saturday, though, MSU put Duluth on the power play nine times. The Mavs gave up three power play goals in a game for the first time since opening night (Oct. 8) against St. Lawrence and allowed more than four goals in a game for the first time since a 6-1 loss at Denver on Nov. 13. Clearly, fatigue from killing set in against a top-notch offensive team.
2. Goalie change: It was a little surprising to see Phil Cook (33 saves) get the start in goal instead of Austin Lee. Lee started MSU's last three games, allowing just four goals in that stretch, and made 40 saves in Friday's 3-1 win. Coach Troy Jutting said Cook was not to blame for Saturday's loss (indeed, all six goals were scored from below the circles around the crease). Jutting has not declared either goalie to be the No. 1 guy the rest of the way and said after Saturday's game that he didn't want Cook to go without a start for nearly a month (the Mavericks are idle next weekend).
3. Purple Hayes: For the second night in a row Eriah Hayes got the scoring started for the Mavericks. He gave his team a 1-0 lead deflecting in an Eli Zuck shot during a delayed penalty at 2:13. Hayes has four goals in his last four games and seven points in his last seven games. Hayes is now second on the team with 11 goals and third on the team with 21 points. He had 14 points as a freshman. ... Mike Louwerse scored the Mavericks' second goal, making the game 2-2 at 4:50 of the second period. The Mavericks had a great chance to make it a 4-3 lead early in the third period but Tyler Elbrecht's shot hit the post and J.P. Burkemper's easy tap at a wide-open net inexplicably went wide.
Read the box score here.
2 comments:
All I can say is Austin Lee had better be in goal for the final series of the season.
Hi Sam,
It's not who is in the net as both are very equal.
It's who is or is not playing in front of them.
Once again, too many penalties and fatigue with the top 4 D. The same guys who kill the penalties, skate 5on5 and are then expected to produce on the PP when out there all 2 minutes? Be real. NHL guys can not do this.
It appeared on Charter similar things were happening with the forward lines as well.
Also, after Friday's game, the stage was set for Elby to get called for any little thing he did Saturday. Refs have the last say.
When played as a team game, these guys I believe can get it done.
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