Coach Troy Jutting heaped praise on his defensemen, as only five played against the Seawolves due to injury. Three of those players were freshmen. Jutting cited rookie Zach Palmquist's amazing pass to Michael Dorr for Saturday's game-winning breakaway goal, as well as the continued improved play of Brett Stern and Mat Knoll. He added that junior Tyler Elbrecht and Evan Mosey had good weekends, too, and that Elbrecht played a lot of minutes.
Elbrecht, I started to think, could be the Mavericks' MVP this season. When he was out of the lineup with a broken arm, Minnesota State (which had suffered several other injuries around the same time) went 2-10-1 (2-7-1 in WCHA). With him, the Mavericks are 10-9-0 (6-8-0).
Could that be the difference between 10th place and competing for home ice with four games remaining in the season? It's one factor, for sure.
You might not expect a defensive defenseman with three assists to get that nod but it's a thought. Of course, there are other good candidates, too, including Jean-Paul LaFontaine and Eriah Hayes.
5 comments:
Shane,
I think you're spot on with your assessment of Elbrecht. You could see a huge difference in the play of the team when he came back. There is no doubt that he is the leader of this team and without him they performed like they were a talented group, but had zero direction out on the ice.
Speaking of MVPs, if you read the article about World Series MVP David Freese in this weeks' Sports Illustrated, you'll see a former Mav MVP. There is a picture of David Backes during a ceremonial puck drop in one of the pictures.
I also agree with you Elbrecht take. I expected nothing less from him after his season last year. Too bad he missed so much this year. I was just looking at the stats and didn't realize Mosey was a +6. That's solid. Who's your vote for most improved? Johnny McInnis? Lehrke?
i have a question, have all the seniors been on the ice when the mavs
have swept the gophers away and at home?
Like to see the seniors do the "Peterson" this weekend.
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