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| Eric Stromgren/Bemidji Pioneer |
1. Friday-night funk: Going into Friday's game at Bemidji State, the Mavericks were 5-5-0 in their last 10 games. But they couldn't win on their last four Friday games. This week was more of the same as they lost 2-1. Not only was it the fifth straight Friday loss but it was the third over that stretch by a 2-1 score. MSU outshot Bemidji 40-26, took just one penalty all night and got solid goaltending from Phil Cook. A lot of credit has to go to Beavers goalie Dan Bakala, who made a few outstanding saves (including one on Mike Louwerse with 4:56 remaining) for the win.
2. To the Max: Minnesota's lone goal was scored by Max Gaede, which put the Mavericks up 1-0 at 8:58 of the first period. It was the freshman's second goal of the season and his first in 14 games. It was nice play, as he finished off a centering pass from Zach Lehrke. But Michael Dorr did all the work on the play. With MSU reeling in its own end, Dorr swatted the puck out of the defensive zone and then chased it down at the opposite end. Dorr beat a Bemidji defender to the puck and moved it ahead to Lehrke. But Gaede missed a primo opportunity to make it 2-0 during a 5-minute major in the first period. He whiffed on a beautiful pass to the back door from Jean-Paul LaFontaine.
3. Falling behind: The Mavericks could have moved ahead of the Beavers in the WCHA standings with a series sweep. After dropping Friday's game, though, they fell five points behind Bemidji State. In their last three series, the Mavericks have bounced back to win the Saturday-night game. "I don't think we need to change much," Gaede said, "just bear down on our chances."
Quote of the night: "How many good chances do you want in a game in this league?" — MSU coach Troy Jutting
See the box score here. Read my Free Press gamer here. Check out the Bemidji Pioneer's story and a photo gallery on Eric Stromgren's blog.
Around the WCHA: Michigan Tech 4, Minnesota Duluth 4 (OT) ... Minnesota 2, St. Cloud State 1 ... North Dakota 5, Wisconsin 3 ... Denver at Alaska Anchorage (late)
1 comment:
What does this mean? - Quote of the night: "How many good chances do you want in a game in this league?" — MSU coach Troy Jutting
How about - "if it's broke, fix it". One thing this coach is not capable, or willing to do is to make adjustments in a game. The PP was not working, so keep doing the same thing with 5 forwards?
How about playing 5 defensemen on the PP. Or even 5 on 5. At least they would back check. If the forwards were back checking, for sure the first goal and possibly the second goal could have been avoided.
Just look at last weeks Saturday line up for the win! And he changes it up tonight??? Why?
Come home with a win tomorrow boys!!!
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