The Mavericks held their first regular-season practice of the season on Saturday morning. It was the first of three practices before Monday's exhibition game against British Columbia (MSU was scheduled to have a Saturday-evening practice and a Sunday practice).
"For a first practice it was very good," coach Troy Jutting said afterward. "The intensity was good. We've got some learning to do, but I thought, in terms of being prepared for practice, that it was very good."
When I showed up to the rink, workers were cleaning up a section of glass that had been shattered during the workout. Apparently, it occurred when defenseman Tyler Elbrecht checked forward J.P. Burkemper into the boards.
Senior defenseman Cameron Cooper said the team's preseason workouts and two-hours/week with coaches over the last couple of weeks prepared them well for Saturday's official start to the season. Indeed, it's somewhat of a crash course, with an exhibition game on Monday and real games next Friday and Saturday.
"I feel like today was really good," Cooper said. "It was a lot better than they've been in the past. But we've been doing something every day. That's helped a lot of the guys. I thought the pace was good. I feel like everyone did their work this summer."
Exhibition season began late Friday night, as Alaska-Anchorage defeated Northern Alberta 7-2. Tonight in the WCHA, Michigan Tech, Nebraska-Omaha, North Dakota and Denver will play exhibitions. On Sunday, Bemidji State, Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota and Colorado College will be in action. Minnesota State is the only WCHA team playing on Monday. It will be the third game for their opponent, BC, who is playing Omaha tonight and Minnesota on Sunday.
Looking ahead at some MSU coverage, The Free Press will have a early season story in Monday's paper, and Tuesday will be an extravaganza with a season preview, player feature (who will it be?) and coverage of Monday night's game.
Speaking of Monday's game and all other Maverick home games this season, single-game tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Monday at the Verizon Wireless Center box office and through Ticketmaster.
3 comments:
I'm hoping the player feature is Matt Leitner. That guy has a lot of talent, and I feel like after the academic issues last year, he's going to be fired up to show everyone what he can do.
Can't wait for the season to start.
Sam,
He didn't have academic issues last year. They were pre-college. He got them straightened out last year, going to MSU but not being part of the team. I know they like his talent a lot and he scored a ton at the junior level. I'll be curious to see how a year off affects him.
My mistake. I hope he has one heck of a rookie campaign for the Mavs!
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