Mavericks 3, Team USA 3 (OT)

Freddy's Three Thoughts of the Game ...

1. Late-game heroics: After the Mavericks fell behind 3-2 with 2:37 to play in the third period, it took a short-handed goal with an extra attacker on the ice to force overtime. Eriah Hayes scored the game-tying goal with 51.7 seconds left in the third period, firing back the rebound of a Zach Lehrke shot. Michael Dorr also assisted on the play. Other goal scorers for the Mavericks were Corey Leivermann and Matt Leitner (power play) both in the second period to give MSU a 2-1 lead.

2. No slouch: The U.S. team might not have been as dynamic as the Phil Kessel-led one that played here several years ago, but it was nothing to sneeze at. Miami recruits Ryan Hartman (two) and Riley Barber scored the goals, and Ohio State-bound Collin Olson was solid in goal, with 33 saves, including six in overtime. Remember: that team beat Vermont earlier this season and lost to Michigan 3-1 and Denver 3-0. It was a good start-of-the-second-half test for the Mavericks.

3. Cook & Co.: All three MSU goalies played, combining for 27 saves. Austin Lee got the start and allowed one goal. Evan Karambelas finished, giving up two goals in the third period and stopping one shot late in overtime. But it was nice to see Phil Cook play the second period and bounce back from a couple of very rough outings. He stopped all 10 shots he faced in the second period, including a tough one moving across the crease on an open put-back try after giving up a fat rebound.

Deep thought: You thought the Mavericks would come out of a weekend unscathed? Not this year. Sophomore forward J.P. Burkemper was hit hard into the boards on his first shift and came off holding his wrist. He did not return. Sounds like it might be broken. We'll find out more this week.

Check out my game story here.

Around the WCHA: Boston College 2, Michigan Tech 1 ... Minnesota 5, Niagara 1 ... Western Michigan 2, St. Cloud State 1 (OT) ... Bemidji State 4, Bowling Green 1 ... Harvard 4, North Dakota 4 (OT) ... Quinnipiac 2, Nebraska Omaha 2 (OT) ... Air Force 2, Colorado College 1 ... Denver 3, Union 1

Happy new year, everybody!