Freddy's Three Thoughts of the Game ...
1. First-period scoring woes: The Mavericks didn't put 21 shots on goal in the first period like they did on Friday but certainly had chances to score. With wide-open nets to shoot at, a deflected shot went under Mike Louwerse's stick and Matt Leitner didn't get all of his shot and flipped one over the net during power plays. Later, Adam Mueller got a beautiful breakout pass from Michael Dorr for a short-handed chance, and Mueller clanked it off the post. After the first period the game was 0-0.
2. Second-period explosion: The Bulldogs scored four goals in a span of 1 minute, 36 seconds early in the period and had the Mavericks on their heels. Justin Crandall and J.T. Brown scored 17 seconds apart, and Caleb Herbert and Joe Basaraba had goals 24 seconds apart. Duluth also did it on just four shots, and, while there were odd-man rushes and a power-play goal in there, it was enough to get goalie Phil Cook pulled for Austin Lee. Cook was making his first start since Oct. 22 and had seven saves in the first period, none in the second.
3. Third-period penalties: Despite the quick 4-0 deficit, the Mavericks made it a two-goal game. Matt Leitner scored at the 5:19 mark of the second period, and Max Gaede netted a power-play goal just 43 seconds into the third, and it was 4-2. But MSU, which had already lost Joe Schiller to a checking-from-behind major/game misconduct in the second period, went to the box seven times in the third period. Duluth scored two power-play goals and an even-strength goal, and grabbed a 7-2 lead by the 8:11 mark. Along the way, Louwerse was also booted from the game for a contact-to-the head penalty. Coach Troy Jutting called all the penalties "stupid."
Deep thought: Not to keep harping on MSU's depth on defense, but once Schiller and Louwerse — forwards-turned-defensemen for the series — were out of the game, the Mavericks had just four D left. At one point, Evan Mosey was in the box, leaving just freshmen Zach Palmquist and Mat Knoll and sophomore Josh Nelson available to kill the penalty. "We did it to ourselves," Jutting said, "but we wore down."
Quote of the night: "We were in the same position we were last night. We weren't bent out of shape yet." — MSU freshman Max Gaede, about being down 4-1 after two periods.
Around the WCHA: North Dakota 5, Bemidji State 2 ... Minnesota 5, St. Cloud State 0 ... Denver 3, Nebraska Omaha 3 OT ... Colorado College 4, Wisconsin 1 ... Michigan Tech at Alaska Anchorage (late)
3 comments:
I was in Duluth for the series and I was disappointed in the lack discipline. It seems like that has been a huge problem the last few years. These are all Division 1 players that are making sloppy plays that are resulting in not getting the puck out of zone, not getting to the loose pucks and most importantly taking way to many penalties. On a positive note, I really like our group of freshmen forwards.
Dude.
Read what you write.
Your last sentence contradicts what you wrote. Their back check is weak and the game continues to be fast for them. In due course they should get it.
Saturday they were -5 and in the box.
Friday, they were -4 and to their credit, stayed out of the box.
BTW - discipline starts at the top. The broadcasters were less than flattering to our Head Coach in that regard.
Just seems to be to much disconnect from coaches to players and players to players.
They should ALL have Thanksgiving Dinner together and figure it out!!!
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