The loss, coupled with losses by first-place Minnesota and second-place Minnesota Duluth on Friday ensured that MSU will go to Duluth for the first round of the conference playoffs next weekend.
The Mavericks got off on a good note against North Dakota, as freshman center Matt Leitner gave them a 1-0 lead just 97 seconds after the opening faceoff. It was his 10th goal of the year. Eriah Hayes assisted on the play.
But North Dakota stormed back and scored three times before the period ended, getting goals from Danny Kristo, Michael Parks and Stephane Pattyn.
Parks’ goal was initially waved off but was awarded after officials reviewed the play on video.
After a scoreless second period, MSU trimmed its deficit to one goal, as sophomore defenseman Josh Nelson scored his first collegiate goal with 7:57 to play. Nelson was playing for the first time since Feb. 4 due to a non-hockey-related injury.
But Kristo scored his second goal of the game and 17th of the year just 3:43 later to give North Dakota some insurance.
Minnesota State outshot North Dakota 27-24. Aaron Dell got the win in goal with 25 saves. Phil Cook stopped 20 shots in the loss.
The Mavericks (12-21-2, 8-17-2 in WCHA) will close out the regular season against North Dakota at 7:07 p.m. tonight.
UPDATE: Since PucKato wasn't at the game you can read recaps from the Grand Forks Herald and USCHO.
UPDATE: Since PucKato wasn't at the game you can read recaps from the Grand Forks Herald and USCHO.
7 comments:
I assume these pairing were based on how the team practiced this weeK
16 Tyler Elbrecht–2 Josh Nelson
7 Zach Palmquist–17 Evan Mosey
3 Cameron Cooper–27 Brett Stern
However, this was not the case the first period.
who's fault is that? Coaches!!!
BIG,
I'm not sure what you mean here. Sometimes the line chart doesn't quite reflect the exact lineup. I believe the D groupings in practice were the same as they've been on the ice for the last couple of weeks, with Nelson finally getting back in the mix. I wasn't in Grand Forks, but I assume that's how it was in the game, too, for the most part. The line chart is always subject to change and it might not always be exactly accurate.
Really Big. Who they are with shouldn't matter. They are D1 defensemen. Once again you reach for excuses when Cooper and Mosey are brutal. They where on the ice for the first three goals and in direct fault. Cooper was on for the forth and was getting beat again and forced his D partner to cover pass and shot and UND made a nice pass in close that frankly Cook has to stop. Stop blaming the coaches. The coaches didn't get beat and pinch at the wrong time. Cook also played horrible. A few nice saves but he has to bail his team out. I would sit cooper and cook tonight. The only reason I would dress Mosey is because we don't have a choice. And where were the seniors in scoring? They have to step up.n ttuag
Shane, if Minnesota losses and Duluth wins tonight they will have same points. What is the tie breaker for first ? I assume their head to head games which I have not checked. Which is a better match up in your opinion? Thanks
hockeyfan,
Minnesota has the tiebreaker, so it's all set: MSU will go to Duluth for the first round. I'm not sure who the better matchup would be. It's tough either way. But I think going to UMD and its small sheet is better following a weekend on UND's small sheet and two weeks of practice (remember, the Mavs had an idle weekend in there) before that on a small sheet.
Hi fellows,
Let's hope the players don't read these blogs and the coaches do.
What we don't know is how did the coaches prepare the team this week for the series?
What were the line pairings?
How were they to break-out, defend, etc?
We ALL know how the first period went. However, the remaining two periods were completely different and it was obvious line changes had been made. So the Mavs played those periods 1-1.
Coaching guides the team, so whatever changes the coaches made for the final two periods were an improvement.
That does not change what happened in the first and before any of us rush to judgement on players and coaches, as knowledge of my second paragraph questions perhaps would shed more light.
I agree that player's play and coaches coach. We all see the players play, but we don't "hear" or see how the coaches coach at practice or games.
A post game interview would perhaps shed some light? Quit frankly, the media coverage is weak at best. Just look at the team site. Since 09/10, the amount of information has decreased to where this season there is virtually nothing compared to years past. Why is that I wonder? This for another Blog experience...
If they go tonight with where they began the second period, it should be a different outcome. That is as long as the coaches coach properly and players do the same.
Go MAVS
Thanks Shane
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