Lots of hockey going on. Mankato West lost in last night's section final, the Minnesota State women and the Gustavus men and women are in the midst of conference playoffs and, of course, the MSU men are en route to Colorado Springs. Let's talk about it, starting at noon today (Thursday).
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Going live
Clear your schedules for some upcoming live blogging ...
Tonight (Wednesday), I'll be at the Mankato West boys hockey game against Rochester Lourdes in Rochester. It's the Section 1A championship game, and there's a trip to state on the line. Come back to the blog around 7 p.m. for live updates.
On Thursday, I'll be doing another live lunch chat around noon. Last week was so much fun, I thought we'd do it again. I'll even see if I can rope the Colorado Springs Gazette's Joe Paisley into joining in.
Unfortunately, I won't be making the trip to Colorado Springs this weekend and will be monitoring Minnesota State's games from Mankato. There won't be live chats during those games, but the blog will be updated, and I'll, of course, be on Twitter.
So join me, won't you?
Monday, February 25, 2013
Where they stand (2/25/13)
The Mavericks are ranked seventh in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine rankings this week, the highest the program has ever been ranked. They remained ninth in the USCHO poll and seventh in the Pairwise. Here are this week's rankings:
Pairwise Rankings (the one that matters)
1. Quinnipiac
2. Minnesota
3. Miami
4. Boston College
5. New Hampshire
6. North Dakota
7. Minnesota State
8. Niagara
9. Western Michigan
10. St. Cloud State
11. UMass-Lowell
12. Yale
13. Denver
14. Notre Dame
15. Dartmouth
16. Rensselaer
17. Wisconsin
18. St. Lawrence
19. Alaska
20. Nebraska Omaha
17. Wisconsin
18. St. Lawrence
19. Alaska
20. Nebraska Omaha
To see the complete list of teams under consideration, go here.
USCHO.com Rankings
1. Quinnipiac (37 first-place votes)
2. Minnesota (10)
3. Miami (2)
4. Boston College (1)
5. New Hampshire
6. North Dakota
7. St. Cloud State
8. Western Michigan
9. Minnesota State (same spot as last week)
10. Denver
11. Notre Dame
12. UMass-Lowell
13. Nebraska Omaha
14. Niagara
15. Yale
16. Wisconsin
17. Merrimack
18. Dartmouth
19. Boston University
20. Providence
Others receiving votes: Rensselaer, St. Lawrence, Union, Ferris State, Alaska, Robert Morris
USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Rankings
1. Quinnipiac (30)
2. Minnesota (3)
3. Miami (1)
4. Boston College
5. New Hampshire
6. North Dakota
7. Minnesota State (up two spots)
8. Western Michigan
9. St. Cloud State10. UMass-Lowell
11. Denver
12. Notre Dame
13. Niagara
14. Yale
15. Nebraska Omaha
Others receiving votes: Merrimack, Providence, Dartmouth, Wisconsin, Boston University, Rensselaer
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Weekend update
Trying to shake out a busy weekend of college hockey after a night off. ...
In the WCHA, Minnesota State, as expected, slipped in the standings, but no one got a big jump. Minnesota took three points against Minnesota Duluth and North Dakota split at Denver to leapfrog over the Mavericks. But as you can see from the standings. MSU remains in a pretty good spot for home ice.
WCHA standings
1. St. Cloud State (33 points)
2. Minnesota (31)
3. Nebraska Omaha (30)
North Dakota (30)
5. Minnesota State (29)
6. Denver (27)
Wisconsin (27)
8. Colorado College (22)
9. Minnesota Duluth (21)
10. Bemidji State (16)
Michigan Tech (16)
12. Alaska Anchorage (10)
All teams have played 24 games, except UMD and UAA with 26.
Even better for Minnesota State was that it moved up a spot in the Pairwise Rankings,going from seventh to sixth. The Mavs are now back to seventh.
In other college hockey of local interest, the Gustavus men defeated St. Thomas 1-0 in the MIAC semifinals on Saturday night, getting a 24-save shutout from Tyler Venne and a lone goal from Jack Walsh, who finished off a 2-on-1 play from former Maverick Corey Leivermann. The Gusties will travel to St. Cloud on Saturday for a 2 p.m. conference championship game against St. John's. The winner gets an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament. During their regular-season meeting, the Gusties and Johnnies tied twice, 3-3 and 1-1.
The Gustavus women, meanwhile, closed out a perfect conference season, going 18-0-0 in league play. They also finished their overall schedule undefeated with a 24-0-1 record. The MIAC playoffs begin this week, and the Gusties will host a semifinal game on Thursday, playing the winner of Tuesday's game between Bethel and St. Catherine.
The Minnesota State women's team wrapped up its regular season with a tie (and shootout loss) at Ohio State. The Mavericks finished sixth in the WCHA, their highest finish in the league under coach Eric Means. The a conference playoffs begin this weekend with best-of-three first-round series at home sites. Minnesota State will travel to North Dakota for the playoffs. Tough matchup, but the Mavs did win a game in Grand Forks early this season.
In the WCHA, Minnesota State, as expected, slipped in the standings, but no one got a big jump. Minnesota took three points against Minnesota Duluth and North Dakota split at Denver to leapfrog over the Mavericks. But as you can see from the standings. MSU remains in a pretty good spot for home ice.
WCHA standings
1. St. Cloud State (33 points)
2. Minnesota (31)
3. Nebraska Omaha (30)
North Dakota (30)
5. Minnesota State (29)
6. Denver (27)
Wisconsin (27)
8. Colorado College (22)
9. Minnesota Duluth (21)
10. Bemidji State (16)
Michigan Tech (16)
12. Alaska Anchorage (10)
All teams have played 24 games, except UMD and UAA with 26.
Even better for Minnesota State was that it moved up a spot in the Pairwise Rankings,
In other college hockey of local interest, the Gustavus men defeated St. Thomas 1-0 in the MIAC semifinals on Saturday night, getting a 24-save shutout from Tyler Venne and a lone goal from Jack Walsh, who finished off a 2-on-1 play from former Maverick Corey Leivermann. The Gusties will travel to St. Cloud on Saturday for a 2 p.m. conference championship game against St. John's. The winner gets an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament. During their regular-season meeting, the Gusties and Johnnies tied twice, 3-3 and 1-1.
The Gustavus women, meanwhile, closed out a perfect conference season, going 18-0-0 in league play. They also finished their overall schedule undefeated with a 24-0-1 record. The MIAC playoffs begin this week, and the Gusties will host a semifinal game on Thursday, playing the winner of Tuesday's game between Bethel and St. Catherine.
The Minnesota State women's team wrapped up its regular season with a tie (and shootout loss) at Ohio State. The Mavericks finished sixth in the WCHA, their highest finish in the league under coach Eric Means. The a conference playoffs begin this weekend with best-of-three first-round series at home sites. Minnesota State will travel to North Dakota for the playoffs. Tough matchup, but the Mavs did win a game in Grand Forks early this season.
Friday, February 22, 2013
A night at Gustavus
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| Pat Christman/The Free Press |
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| Pat Christman/The Free Press |
Asked about the Mavericks showing up in the stands of the Don Roberts Ice Rink, Leivermann said, "It's awesome. I still live with some of the guys on the team; we're still great friends. They had an off week and said they were going to come down to watch. I wish I would have scored for them, so I could give them a salute."
Leivermann said he's fitting right in with the Gusties, and coach Brett Petersen agreed, saying his relationships in the locker room look like they've been built over three years not two months.
"They welcomed me right away," Leivermann said.
Look for more on this story later in my Tuesday column in The Free Press.
Leivermann will have one more season of college hockey after the current one but will try to keep this season going beyond Saturday as the Gusties will head to the Twin Cities to take on top-seeded St. Thomas in the MIAC semifinals.
Friday morning skate
It's another bye week for the Mavericks, who might not be in third place in the WCHA after the weekend. Will they still be in seventh place in the Pairwise? There will be some serious scoreboard watching on Friday and Saturday as six league teams are in action against each other.
Minnesota Duluth at Minnesota: The Bulldogs will try to end a six-game winless streak when they play the Gophers. The two teams haven't played each other in nearly two full seasons. For the Gophers, they are hoping to be one of those teams that jumps over the Mavericks, with captain Zach Budish leading the way.
St. Cloud State at Colorado College: The Huskies are trying to stay on top of the WCHA, and the Tigers are wondering if they can get back into home-ice contention. Another sidebar to the weekend is CC assistant coach Eric Rud, who spent some time on St. Cloud's bench, too. On the Tigers' side (first of all, welcome back to the beat, Joe Paisley!), a late-season push by the team's freshmen seems to have given them a boost.
North Dakota at Denver: This should be battle, as always, and will have an impact on the standings at the end of the weekend. Denver has a Zajac (Nolan) playing well right now, which must look odd to the UNDers, who had his two older brothers. The Denver Post, meanwhile, takes a look at all of the NHL talent these two teams have produced in recent years.
Also Wisconsin will host Penn State on Sunday and Monday in matchup of future Big Ten foes.
In other reading, the Star Tribune's Patrick Reusse weighs in on next year's Minnesota Cup (working title). He has a goo idea for a tournament name but a not-so-good one for the tournament format. My idea for a tournament name? Well Boston has its Beanpot; maybe Minnesota can have its Hotdish.
As for me, I covered the Mankato West boys team's playoff win over Red Wing on Thursday night. The Scarlets will move on to the Section 1A semifinals against New Prague in Rochester on Saturday night. Tonight, I will be in St. Peter, covering the Gustavus Adolphus men in the first round of the MIAC tournament against St. Olaf.
Finally, thanks to everyone who joined in on the hockey chat over the noon hour on Thursday. Great participation. We'll do it again soon, maybe next week!
Minnesota Duluth at Minnesota: The Bulldogs will try to end a six-game winless streak when they play the Gophers. The two teams haven't played each other in nearly two full seasons. For the Gophers, they are hoping to be one of those teams that jumps over the Mavericks, with captain Zach Budish leading the way.
St. Cloud State at Colorado College: The Huskies are trying to stay on top of the WCHA, and the Tigers are wondering if they can get back into home-ice contention. Another sidebar to the weekend is CC assistant coach Eric Rud, who spent some time on St. Cloud's bench, too. On the Tigers' side (first of all, welcome back to the beat, Joe Paisley!), a late-season push by the team's freshmen seems to have given them a boost.
North Dakota at Denver: This should be battle, as always, and will have an impact on the standings at the end of the weekend. Denver has a Zajac (Nolan) playing well right now, which must look odd to the UNDers, who had his two older brothers. The Denver Post, meanwhile, takes a look at all of the NHL talent these two teams have produced in recent years.
Also Wisconsin will host Penn State on Sunday and Monday in matchup of future Big Ten foes.
In other reading, the Star Tribune's Patrick Reusse weighs in on next year's Minnesota Cup (working title). He has a goo idea for a tournament name but a not-so-good one for the tournament format. My idea for a tournament name? Well Boston has its Beanpot; maybe Minnesota can have its Hotdish.
As for me, I covered the Mankato West boys team's playoff win over Red Wing on Thursday night. The Scarlets will move on to the Section 1A semifinals against New Prague in Rochester on Saturday night. Tonight, I will be in St. Peter, covering the Gustavus Adolphus men in the first round of the MIAC tournament against St. Olaf.
Finally, thanks to everyone who joined in on the hockey chat over the noon hour on Thursday. Great participation. We'll do it again soon, maybe next week!
Thursday, February 21, 2013
All in the family: Nelson's brother commits
Minnesota State recently received a verbal commitment from defenseman Casey Nelson, the brother of current MSU defenseman Josh Nelson, for next season, according to sources.
Casey plays for the North American Hockey League's Johnstown Tomahawks where he has 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists) in 50 games. The Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., native is 6-foot-2, 180 pounds and will give the Mavericks some significant depth on the blue line next season.
Josh will be a senior for the Mavericks. There will also be a third Nelson on the team (no relation), Jordan Nelson, currently of the USHL's Fargo Force.
Casey plays for the North American Hockey League's Johnstown Tomahawks where he has 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists) in 50 games. The Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., native is 6-foot-2, 180 pounds and will give the Mavericks some significant depth on the blue line next season.
Josh will be a senior for the Mavericks. There will also be a third Nelson on the team (no relation), Jordan Nelson, currently of the USHL's Fargo Force.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
You want answers?!?! — Live!
Let's try something new this time. Let's do a live chat with your chance to ask questions about Minnesota State hockey or anything else southern-Minnesota hockey related. The live chat will take place starting at noon today (Thursday) and last 60-90 minutes, depending on the interest. Hope you can join me!
Margonari honored
Against the Huskies, Margonari scored two goals — the first each game for the Mavericks — and also assisted on a goal. He now has eight goals and eight assists for 16 points.
Read the WCHA release here.
Where they stand
The Mavericks held steady in one poll, moved up a spot in another and settled into a comfortable spot in the rankings that really count. Here are this week's rankings ...
Pairwise Rankings (the one that matters)
1. Quinnipiac
2. Minnesota
3. Miami
4. New Hampshire
5. Boston College
6. North Dakota
7. Minnesota State
8. Western Michigan
9. St. Cloud State
10. Niagara
11. Denver
12. Yale
13. Boston University
14. UMass-Lowell
15. Notre Dame
16. Union
17. Rensselaer
18. Merrimack
19. Dartmouth
20. Nebraska Omaha
To see the complete list of teams under consideration, go here.
USCHO.com Rankings
1. Quinnipiac (34 first-place votes)
2. Minnesota (15)
3. Miami
4. Boston College (1)
5. New Hampshire
6. North Dakota
7. St. Cloud State
8. Western Michigan
9. Minnesota State (same spot as last week)
10. Denver
11. Notre Dame
12. UMass-Lowell
13. Yale
14. Nebraska Omaha
15. Boston University
16. Niagara
17. Merrimack
18. Wisconsin
19. Dartmouth
20. Union
Others receiving votes: Rensselaer, St. Lawrence, Providence, Ferris State, Ohio State, Alaska, Colgate
USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Rankings
1. Quinnipiac (26)
2. Minnesota (8)
3. Miami
4. Boston College
5. New Hampshire
6. North Dakota
7. Western Michigan
8. St. Cloud State
9. Minnesota State (up one spot)
10. Denver
11. Notre Dame
12. UMass-Lowell
13. Boston University
14. Yale
15. Niagara
Others receiving votes: Merrimack, Nebraska Omaha, Union, Rensselaer, Dartmouth, Wisconsin, Providence.
Pairwise Rankings (the one that matters)
1. Quinnipiac
2. Minnesota
3. Miami
4. New Hampshire
5. Boston College
6. North Dakota
7. Minnesota State
8. Western Michigan
9. St. Cloud State
10. Niagara
11. Denver
12. Yale
13. Boston University
14. UMass-Lowell
15. Notre Dame
16. Union
17. Rensselaer
18. Merrimack
19. Dartmouth
20. Nebraska Omaha
To see the complete list of teams under consideration, go here.
USCHO.com Rankings
1. Quinnipiac (34 first-place votes)
2. Minnesota (15)
3. Miami
4. Boston College (1)
5. New Hampshire
6. North Dakota
7. St. Cloud State
8. Western Michigan
9. Minnesota State (same spot as last week)
10. Denver
11. Notre Dame
12. UMass-Lowell
13. Yale
14. Nebraska Omaha
15. Boston University
16. Niagara
17. Merrimack
18. Wisconsin
19. Dartmouth
20. Union
Others receiving votes: Rensselaer, St. Lawrence, Providence, Ferris State, Ohio State, Alaska, Colgate
USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Rankings
1. Quinnipiac (26)
2. Minnesota (8)
3. Miami
4. Boston College
5. New Hampshire
6. North Dakota
7. Western Michigan
8. St. Cloud State
9. Minnesota State (up one spot)
10. Denver
11. Notre Dame
12. UMass-Lowell
13. Boston University
14. Yale
15. Niagara
Others receiving votes: Merrimack, Nebraska Omaha, Union, Rensselaer, Dartmouth, Wisconsin, Providence.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Third place going into bye week
After Minnesota lost to Wisconsin in the outdoor game in Chicago on Sunday, Minnesota State remained in third place in the WCHA standings. The Mavericks will have another idle weekend coming up before closing out the regular season at Colorado College and at home against North Dakota.
I'm not a huge fan of the schedule makers who have MSU getting two bye weeks in a span of a month and would love to see the league have three or four weeks of a real race down the stretch with all 12 teams playing against each other.
The Mavericks used their first bye week (Feb. 1-2) wisely, coach Mike Hastings said, and it came at a good time following a long stretch of games with a lot of travel. After the break, the Mavericks won four in a row. This one? We'll have to see how the team responds.
"We've got to move on and be smart about our week off," Hastings said after Saturday night's win over Michigan Tech. "I'd tell you two weeks ago I didn't know if we really wanted to have another week off, but we'll take it. We've got to stay focused. We did a really good job of managing our time last time we had a bye week, and we've got to do that again this next week."
As for the standings, the Mavericks are one point behind Nebraska Omaha and two behind first-place St. Cloud State. They lead Minnesota and North Dakota by a point and Wisconsin by two. St. Cloud, Minnesota, North Dakota and Denver (four points behind MSU) all have two games in hand.
Scoreboard watching this weekend? Series to watch include Minnesota Duluth at Minnesota, St. Cloud State at Colorado College, Denver at North Dakota. Where do you think MSU will end up at the end of the weekend? What about the end of the season?
For more on MSU's sweep over Michigan Tech last weekend, read my Monday notebook/review here.
I'm not a huge fan of the schedule makers who have MSU getting two bye weeks in a span of a month and would love to see the league have three or four weeks of a real race down the stretch with all 12 teams playing against each other.
The Mavericks used their first bye week (Feb. 1-2) wisely, coach Mike Hastings said, and it came at a good time following a long stretch of games with a lot of travel. After the break, the Mavericks won four in a row. This one? We'll have to see how the team responds.
"We've got to move on and be smart about our week off," Hastings said after Saturday night's win over Michigan Tech. "I'd tell you two weeks ago I didn't know if we really wanted to have another week off, but we'll take it. We've got to stay focused. We did a really good job of managing our time last time we had a bye week, and we've got to do that again this next week."
As for the standings, the Mavericks are one point behind Nebraska Omaha and two behind first-place St. Cloud State. They lead Minnesota and North Dakota by a point and Wisconsin by two. St. Cloud, Minnesota, North Dakota and Denver (four points behind MSU) all have two games in hand.
Scoreboard watching this weekend? Series to watch include Minnesota Duluth at Minnesota, St. Cloud State at Colorado College, Denver at North Dakota. Where do you think MSU will end up at the end of the weekend? What about the end of the season?
For more on MSU's sweep over Michigan Tech last weekend, read my Monday notebook/review here.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Mavericks 6, Huskies 1
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| Pat Christman/The Free Press |
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. The significance of 20: The word special was thrown around a few times after tonight's game, and why not? When a college hockey team hits the 20-victory threshold that's a good place to stop, even if it's just for a moment, and reflect on a darn-good season. The Mavericks have reached 20 wins just two other times since joining the WCHA. They won 21 games in 1999-2000, their first year in the league, and 20 in 2002-03, the only year they made the national tournament. But this year marked the first time MSU won No. 20 in the regular season — and there are still four games to play before playoffs.
2. The usual and unusual: Matt Leitner and Eriah Hayes made an impact — of course! — combining for two goals and an assist. But the Mavericks got production from all over the lineup on Saturday. Dylan Margonari scored MSU's first goal for the third time in four games and also had an assist. Zach Lehrke had a key short-handed goal along with an assist, and Brett Knowles was praised for his all-around play, including a goal and a beautiful saucer pass to set up Lehrke. Lehrke's minutes increased with Eli Zuck left with a lower-body injury (coach Mike Hastings said he'd know more about Zuck on Monday).
3. More fun from Stephon: Sure, his head was bobbing to the tunes during every timeout, but goalie Stephon Williams was into the game. His play quelled Michigan Tech's early push, and his late-first-period save on David Johnstone might be a season highlight. Williams fell backwards and got the back on his glove on the shot to turn it aside. Williams also got a little luck when Blake Pietila hit the post on a penalty shot early in the second period. "As goalies would say, the net's got to end somewhere," Hastings said. Both plays kept the game 1-0. Williams finished the game with 37 saves.
Deep thought: Much better crowd on Saturday, as 4,300+ was announced. That's more like it for a team doing what the Mavericks are doing right now. As I've said before, the VWC can be a pretty rockin' joint when it hits the 4K mark. But sustaining that number — getting the average back there — is going to be the challenge going forward.
Read my Free Press game story here. Be sure to check out Pat Christman's photo gallery.
Around the WCHA: Minnesota Duluth 1, Bemidji State 1 (OT) ... Nebraska Omaha 6, Alaska Anchorage 5 (OT)
WCHA standings (updated through Sunday)
1. St. Cloud State (31 points)
2. Nebraska Omaha (30)
3. Minnesota State (29)
4. Minnesota (28)
North Dakota (28)
6. Wisconsin (27)
7. Denver (25)
8. Colorado College (20)
Minnesota Duluth (20)
10. Bemidji State (16)
Michigan Tech (16)
12. Alaska Anchorage (10)
Saturday, February 16, 2013
MSU vs. Michigan Tech — Game 2 live blog
Lines are posted below the live chat ...
MINNESOTA STATE
21-Grant 18-Leitner 22-McInnis
26-Margonari 23-Blueger 25-Hayes
24-Knowles 12-LaFonatine 8-Gaede
9-Geravis 29-Zuck 19-Lehrke
16-Elbrecht 17-Mosey
7-Palmquist 4-Buchanan
2-Nelson 28-Jutzi
35-Williams
30-Cook
31-Karambelas
Scratches: Burkemper, Herndon, Knoll, Stern, Thauwald
MICHIGAN TECH
19-B.Pietila 10-Kero 13-A.Pietila
15-D.Johnstone 7-Khaira 23-Petan
12-Furne 8-J.Johnstone 28-Gordic
18-Eick 9-Rix 22-Gould
16-Seigo 34-Sweeney
21-Brown 25-Nielsen
3-Stebner 29-Hyland
31-Copley
30-Phillips
Referees: Craig Welker, Matt Ulwelling. Linesmen: Nick Bradshaw, Sam Shikowsky
MINNESOTA STATE
21-Grant 18-Leitner 22-McInnis
26-Margonari 23-Blueger 25-Hayes
24-Knowles 12-LaFonatine 8-Gaede
9-Geravis 29-Zuck 19-Lehrke
16-Elbrecht 17-Mosey
7-Palmquist 4-Buchanan
2-Nelson 28-Jutzi
35-Williams
30-Cook
31-Karambelas
Scratches: Burkemper, Herndon, Knoll, Stern, Thauwald
MICHIGAN TECH
19-B.Pietila 10-Kero 13-A.Pietila
15-D.Johnstone 7-Khaira 23-Petan
12-Furne 8-J.Johnstone 28-Gordic
18-Eick 9-Rix 22-Gould
16-Seigo 34-Sweeney
21-Brown 25-Nielsen
3-Stebner 29-Hyland
31-Copley
30-Phillips
Referees: Craig Welker, Matt Ulwelling. Linesmen: Nick Bradshaw, Sam Shikowsky
Friday, February 15, 2013
Mavericks 4, Huskies 2
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| Pat Christman/The Free Press |
1. Johnny be good: Last Friday at Minnesota Duluth a soft play that led to an eventual goal got Johnny McInnis benched for a good portion of the game. He played the next night, but he got his mojo back on Friday against Michigan Tech. McInnis had a goal and an assist in the win, and his goal was his fifth game-winner of the season. The goal came exactly three minutes after the Huskies tied the game 2-2 on a power-play shot that handcuffed Stephon Williams. I'm sure he'd like to have that one back. "We controlled the momentum," McInnis said. "I think we do a good job of that."
2. How about Hayes? Running out of things to say about Eriah Hayes on the blog, but he was brilliant again on Friday. His goal that gave the Mavericks a 2-1 lead just 67 seconds into the second period was a thing of beauty. After getting stuffed on a pretty good wrap-around try at the left post, Hayes chased down his own rebound, skated to the high slot and fired a low, hard, laser through traffic for his 17th goal of the season. He appeared to get his 18th with 10 seconds left in the second but the officials immediately ruled that he deflected the puck with a high stick. It was close.
3. Finishing strong: Matt Leitner's goal early in the third period gave Minnesota State a two-goal cushion, and the Mavericks seemed to be able to play its game from there. "I'm glad you saw it that way," Hastings said with a laugh when asked about it afterward. Maybe it was a little more contentious for the coach. But they're a very good third-period team. They outshot Tech 16-7 in the final frame, killing off one early penalty in the process.
Deep thought: Where was everybody? Tonight's crowd was announced as a modest 3,591. Surprising considering the big late-season crowds MSU has gotten in the past when it's been in contention — no matter who the opponent was. To the no-shows and the stay-at-homes: This is the team you've wanted to see. New coach. Winning games. Stud players. Positioned for home ice and the NCAAs (now eighth in the Pairwise) with now five games left in the regular season. What's the problem?
Read The Free Press game story here.
Around the WCHA: Minnesota 3, Wisconsin 2 ... Bemidji State 4, Minnesota Duluth 2 ... Nebraska Omaha 3, Alaska Anchorage 0
WCHA standings
1. St. Cloud State (31 points)
2. Minnesota (28)
North Dakota (28)
Nebraska Omaha (28)
5. Minnesota State (27)
6. Denver (25)
Wisconsin (25)
8. Colorado College (20)
9. Minnesota Duluth (19)
10. Michigan Tech (16)
11. Bemidji State (15)
12. Alaska Anchorage (10)
MSU vs. Michigan Tech — Game 1 live blog
Lines will be posted below the live chat when available ...
MINNESOTA STATE
21-Grant 18-Leitner 22-McInnis
26-Margonari 23-Blueger 25-Hayes
24-Knowles 12-LaFonatine 8-Gaede
9-Geravis 29-Zuck 19-Lehrke
16-Elbrecht 17-Mosey
7-Palmquist 4-Buchanan
2-Nelson 28-Jutzi
35-Williams
30-Cook
31-Karambelas
Scratches: Burkemper, Herndon, Knoll, Stern, Thauwald
MICHIGAN TECH
19-B.Pietila 10-Kero 14-C.Pietila
15-D.Johnstone 7-Khaira 23-Petan
12-Furne 8-J.Johnstone 28-Gordic
18-Eick 9-Rix 22-Gould
16-Seigo 34-Sweeney
3-Stebner 25-Nielsen
29-Hyland 24-Sova
31-Copley
30-Phillips
Referees: Craig Welker, Matt Ulwelling. Linesmen: Nick Bradshaw, Sam Shikowsky
MINNESOTA STATE
21-Grant 18-Leitner 22-McInnis
26-Margonari 23-Blueger 25-Hayes
24-Knowles 12-LaFonatine 8-Gaede
9-Geravis 29-Zuck 19-Lehrke
16-Elbrecht 17-Mosey
7-Palmquist 4-Buchanan
2-Nelson 28-Jutzi
35-Williams
30-Cook
31-Karambelas
Scratches: Burkemper, Herndon, Knoll, Stern, Thauwald
MICHIGAN TECH
19-B.Pietila 10-Kero 14-C.Pietila
15-D.Johnstone 7-Khaira 23-Petan
12-Furne 8-J.Johnstone 28-Gordic
18-Eick 9-Rix 22-Gould
16-Seigo 34-Sweeney
3-Stebner 25-Nielsen
29-Hyland 24-Sova
31-Copley
30-Phillips
Referees: Craig Welker, Matt Ulwelling. Linesmen: Nick Bradshaw, Sam Shikowsky
Friday morning skate
Minnesota State will play its first two-game series at home since January 11-12 when it hosts Michigan Tech tonight and Saturday. The Mavericks are coming off their sweep at Minnesota Duluth and appear to be making little, if any, changes to their lineup from last weekend. Michigan Tech split a home series against Alaska Anchorage a week ago and defeated nonconference rival and future WCHA member Northern Michigan on Tuesday. In those three games, the Huskies have scored 18 goals, seven on the power play.
Getting to the previews, Matt Leitner leads the Mavericks in scoring, just as he did last year as reshirt freshman, and is the first 30-point scorer for MSU since the 2008-09 season, but the real improvement in his play this season may be in areas that don't show up on the score sheet. As for the series, check out The Free Press' 5-hole preview for some odds and ends to know going into the weekend.
Stephen Anderson of The Daily Mining Gazette in Houghton, Mich., covers Tech, and suspects the Mavericks and Huskies match up pretty well against each other.
More links: Former MSU Reporter writer Dan Myers has a good article on Teddy Blueger in Minnesota Hockey Magazine. ... The Mavericks were College Hockey News' Team of the Week this week.
Going around the WCHA ...
Minnesota vs. Wisconsin: The series highlight will be Sunday's outdoor game at Soldier Field, but the teams are trying to focus on tonight's opener in Madison first, not to mention improving their game for WCHA playoff position. Go here if you want to see the special jerseys the teams (including Notre Dame and Miami in the other game) are wearing for the outdoor game. My 2 cents? I rank them: Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Minnesota, Miami.
Minnesota Duluth at Bemidji State: This is a series against two teams that haven't won in awhile. The Beavers' last win came on Dec. 15, and they're 0-9-3 since then and have only the ties to feel good about, while the Bulldogs are on a five-game losing streak with their last win coming Jan. 18.
Nebraska Omaha at Alaska Anchorage: The red Mavericks are in third place in the WCHA but feel like they need to sweep the Seawolves this weekend to maintain their position and start moving back up the Pairwise. Despite their record, Jordan Kwas and Anchorage have been swept at home just once this season.
Be sure to check up on the blog or Twitter throughout the day for any updates on this weekend's games. I'll of course be live blogging from the Verizon Wireless Center tonight and Saturday.
Be sure to check up on the blog or Twitter throughout the day for any updates on this weekend's games. I'll of course be live blogging from the Verizon Wireless Center tonight and Saturday.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Section 2A championship (updated)
UPDATE: The Cougars fell to the White Hawks 3-2. Read The Free Press game story here.
Mankato East/Loyola vs. Mound-Westonka
Section 2A championship
Mankato East/Loyola vs. Mound-Westonka
Section 2A championship
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Hoping for a crowd
Minnesota State's last game, against Minnesota, drew a crowd of 5,134. The final home series of the season, against North Dakota on March 8-9, ought to bring in a bunch of people. What about this weekend against Michigan Tech?
The ninth-ranked Mavericks are coming off a sweep at Minnesota Duluth and are tied for fifth place in the WCHA standings. The top six spots earn home ice for the first round of the league playoffs.
UPDATE: Minnesota State announced late Wednesday afternoon that an additional 200 student tickets will be made available for the games. They will be distributed from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday
It's a crucial series between a pair of teams that will continue to be conference rivals after this season, and Mavericks coach Mike Hastings is hoping the fans appreciate that.
"The student body can be a difference-maker," he said, "and I've been witness to what the Verizon Wireless Center can become. We need that place to be full."
As of Wednesday afternoon, about 100 free student tickets remained for each game. There are 1,100 free tickets for MSU students, but once those are gone, students can purchase tickets at a discounted price. For this series, those tickets are $8.
Minnesota State has averaged, 3,606 fans this season, a bump of about 400 per game from last year.
The ninth-ranked Mavericks are coming off a sweep at Minnesota Duluth and are tied for fifth place in the WCHA standings. The top six spots earn home ice for the first round of the league playoffs.
UPDATE: Minnesota State announced late Wednesday afternoon that an additional 200 student tickets will be made available for the games. They will be distributed from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Hayes, Blueger earn honors
Two Minnesota State players instrumental in their team’s series sweep at Minnesota Duluth last weekend earned Western Collegiate Hockey Association awards on Tuesday.
Senior forward Eriah Hayes was named Offensive Player of the Week, and freshman center Teddy Blueger was named Rookie of the Week.
Hayes had a four-goal, three-assist weekend, including a hat trick and an assist on Saturday. Blueger had four points in the 4-2 and 5-1 wins, including both game-winning goals.
Hayes ranks second on the Mavericks in scoring with 28 points. His 16 goals are a team high, and his 10 power-play goals lead the nation. Blueger is MSU’s top-scoring freshman; he now has 17 points.
Minnesota State is now ranked ninth in the nation and will host Michigan Tech on Friday and Saturday.
North Dakota freshman goalie Zane Gothberg was the WCHA’s Defensive Player of the Week.
Senior forward Eriah Hayes was named Offensive Player of the Week, and freshman center Teddy Blueger was named Rookie of the Week.
Hayes had a four-goal, three-assist weekend, including a hat trick and an assist on Saturday. Blueger had four points in the 4-2 and 5-1 wins, including both game-winning goals.
Hayes ranks second on the Mavericks in scoring with 28 points. His 16 goals are a team high, and his 10 power-play goals lead the nation. Blueger is MSU’s top-scoring freshman; he now has 17 points.
Minnesota State is now ranked ninth in the nation and will host Michigan Tech on Friday and Saturday.
North Dakota freshman goalie Zane Gothberg was the WCHA’s Defensive Player of the Week.
Mavericks now ninth
Minnesota State moved into ninth place in this week's U.S. College Hockey Online rankings. The Mavericks are up two spots from last week. In the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll, MSU is 10th.
According to Minnesota State sports information, the Mavericks highest ranking was eighth, which they reached during the 2002-03 season.
According to Minnesota State sports information, the Mavericks highest ranking was eighth, which they reached during the 2002-03 season.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Mavericks 5, Bulldogs 1
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Purple Hayes — again: If Eriah Hayes isn't the WCHA offensive player of the week come Tuesday something's very wrong with the league. Hayes had a hat trick of power-play goals and an assist on Saturday and finished the weekend and series sweep with seven points (4 goals, 3 assists). He's back to the national lead in power-play goals with 10 and has 16 in all. Matt Leitner, who assisted on all three goals, now has 20 power-play points (second in the country) and a team-leading 33 in all. The Mavericks were 3 for 6 on the power play. Jean-Paul LaFontaine had two assists.
2. Great start: Minnesota State grabbed a 3-0 lead in the first period after scoring three in the third period on Friday. Zach Lehrke got things started with a breakaway goal less than 4 minutes into the game. Bryce Gervais flipped the puck high in the air out of the defensive zone, and Lehrke caught it with his glove across the ice at the red line. He tossed the puck down, slipped between two defensemen and was free. A couple of nifty moves, and Lehrke slipped the puck between goalie Aaron Crandall's pads. Teddy Blueger and Hayes added to the lead with a pair of goals 1:49 apart in the final four minutes of the frame.
3. Killer instinct: The power play was great, and the penalty kill was very good. The Mavericks had to kill off more than normal and allowed one goal on seven penalties. Goalie Stephon Williams stopped 34 shots for the game, with 12 shots hitting him when Duluth had the man advantage. The Mavericks also blocked 14 shots. Although the Mavericks led 4-1, coach Mike Hastings said a turning point was a one-minute 5x3 kill before the third period was half over. "All of a sudden momentum is on their side," Hastings said. "Five on threes are so big either way. If you kill them your team elevates, and if the other team scores that team elevates."
Read The Free Press game story here.
Around the WCHA: Michigan Tech 6, Alaska Anchorage 1 ... North Dakota 5, Nebraska Omaha 2 ... Wisconsin 3, Bemidji State 2 ... St. Cloud State 4, Minnesota 3 ... Colorado College 6, Denver 5 (OT)
WCHA standings
1. St. Cloud State (31 points)
2. North Dakota (28)
3. Nebraska Omaha (26)
Minnesota (26)
5. Denver (25)
Minnesota State (25)
Wisconsin (25)
8. Colorado College (20)
9. Minnesota Duluth (19)
10. Michigan Tech (16)
11. Bemidji State (13)
12. Alaska Anchorage (10)
1. Purple Hayes — again: If Eriah Hayes isn't the WCHA offensive player of the week come Tuesday something's very wrong with the league. Hayes had a hat trick of power-play goals and an assist on Saturday and finished the weekend and series sweep with seven points (4 goals, 3 assists). He's back to the national lead in power-play goals with 10 and has 16 in all. Matt Leitner, who assisted on all three goals, now has 20 power-play points (second in the country) and a team-leading 33 in all. The Mavericks were 3 for 6 on the power play. Jean-Paul LaFontaine had two assists.
2. Great start: Minnesota State grabbed a 3-0 lead in the first period after scoring three in the third period on Friday. Zach Lehrke got things started with a breakaway goal less than 4 minutes into the game. Bryce Gervais flipped the puck high in the air out of the defensive zone, and Lehrke caught it with his glove across the ice at the red line. He tossed the puck down, slipped between two defensemen and was free. A couple of nifty moves, and Lehrke slipped the puck between goalie Aaron Crandall's pads. Teddy Blueger and Hayes added to the lead with a pair of goals 1:49 apart in the final four minutes of the frame.
3. Killer instinct: The power play was great, and the penalty kill was very good. The Mavericks had to kill off more than normal and allowed one goal on seven penalties. Goalie Stephon Williams stopped 34 shots for the game, with 12 shots hitting him when Duluth had the man advantage. The Mavericks also blocked 14 shots. Although the Mavericks led 4-1, coach Mike Hastings said a turning point was a one-minute 5x3 kill before the third period was half over. "All of a sudden momentum is on their side," Hastings said. "Five on threes are so big either way. If you kill them your team elevates, and if the other team scores that team elevates."
Read The Free Press game story here.
Around the WCHA: Michigan Tech 6, Alaska Anchorage 1 ... North Dakota 5, Nebraska Omaha 2 ... Wisconsin 3, Bemidji State 2 ... St. Cloud State 4, Minnesota 3 ... Colorado College 6, Denver 5 (OT)
WCHA standings
1. St. Cloud State (31 points)
2. North Dakota (28)
3. Nebraska Omaha (26)
Minnesota (26)
5. Denver (25)
Minnesota State (25)
Wisconsin (25)
8. Colorado College (20)
9. Minnesota Duluth (19)
10. Michigan Tech (16)
11. Bemidji State (13)
12. Alaska Anchorage (10)
MSU at Minnesota Duluth — Game 2 live blog
Lines are posted below the live chat:
MINNESOTA STATE
21-Grant 18-Leitner 22-McInnis
26-Margonari 23-Blueger 25-Hayes
24-Knowles 12-LaFonatine 8-Gaede
9-Geravis 29-Zuck 19-Lehrke
16-Elbrecht 17-Mosey
7-Palmquist 4-Buchanan
2-Nelson 28-Jutzi
35-Williams
30-Cook
Scratches: Burkemper, Herndon*, Karembelas, Knoll, Stern*, Thauwald
* = on trip
MINNESOTA DULUTH
11-Farley 13-Cameranesi 17-Seidel
25-J.Crandall 23-Young 18-Basaraba
20-Danberg 15-Hendrickson 14-Flaherty
10-DeLisle 27-Decowski 26-Krause
8-Olson 7-Welinski
16-Smith 5-Casto
28-Bergman 4-Corrin
31-A.Crandall
36-McNeely
30-Fons
Referees: Scott Bokal, Timm Walsh. Linesmen: Sterling Egan, Brandon Polich
21-Grant 18-Leitner 22-McInnis
26-Margonari 23-Blueger 25-Hayes
24-Knowles 12-LaFonatine 8-Gaede
9-Geravis 29-Zuck 19-Lehrke
16-Elbrecht 17-Mosey
7-Palmquist 4-Buchanan
2-Nelson 28-Jutzi
35-Williams
30-Cook
Scratches: Burkemper, Herndon*, Karembelas, Knoll, Stern*, Thauwald
* = on trip
MINNESOTA DULUTH
11-Farley 13-Cameranesi 17-Seidel
25-J.Crandall 23-Young 18-Basaraba
20-Danberg 15-Hendrickson 14-Flaherty
10-DeLisle 27-Decowski 26-Krause
8-Olson 7-Welinski
16-Smith 5-Casto
28-Bergman 4-Corrin
31-A.Crandall
36-McNeely
30-Fons
Referees: Scott Bokal, Timm Walsh. Linesmen: Sterling Egan, Brandon Polich
Friday, February 8, 2013
Mavericks 4, Bulldogs 2
 |
| Clint Austin/Duluth News-Tribune |
1. Purple Hayes: Minnesota State senior forward and co-captain Eriah Hayes said this week that he needed to get his game going, and he did that in a big way on Friday night with a goal, two assists and just an all-around dominant effort against the Bulldogs, a team MSU hasn't beaten in Duluth since Jan. 28, 2006. Coach Mike Hastings said last week's break came at a good time and that Hayes used the time off well. His center, freshman, Teddy Blueger, also had a goal and two assists. "You need your best players to be your best players," Hastings said.
2. Third period's a charm: The Mavericks trailed 2-1 after two period and dominated the final period. They outshot the Bulldogs 22-7 and scored three goals, one from Zach Lehrke, one from Blueger and one from Hayes. It was the second game in a row that Duluth had a lead in the third period, only to give up three goals. Denver did it last week in a span of about 90 seconds. MSU took a little more time and killed off a key penalty midway through the period when they held a slim 3-2 lead. The Mavericks have scored 89 goals this season; 36 have come in the third period (40%).
3. Freshmen come through: Rookie Dylan Margonari, who started the season hot, scored the game's first goal. It was his first in 11 games. He now has six goals and seven assists. Blueger's three-point game gives him 16 (4, 12) for his first college season season. Jon Jutzi, Bryce Gervais and Brett Knowles each had an assist, and goaltender Stephon Williams stopped 26 of 28 shots, including 12 of 13 in the second period and six on the penalty kill, for his 14th win of the season.
Deep thought: Two of MSU's goals went to video review and were confirmed as goals. After what happened against Wisconsin and Minnesota, the Mavericks had to hope their replay luck would change. It did, however, each review seemed to take three minutes or more. Is there not a time limit to making a decision? Hayes said his goal did go in off his skates as he stopped behind the goalie, but he didn't kick in the puck.
Read my Free Press game story here and the Duluth News-Tribune account here.
Around the WCHA: Alaska Anchorage 5, Michigan Tech 4 ... North Dakota 2, Nebraska Omaha 1 ... Bemidji State 2, Wisconsin 2 (OT) ... Minnesota 4, St. Cloud State 2 ... Colorado College 1, Denver 1 (OT)
WCHA standings
1. St. Cloud State (29 points)
2. Nebraska Omaha (26)
Minnesota (26)
North Dakota (26)
6. Minnesota State (23)
8. Minnesota Duluth (19)
9. Colorado College (18)
10. Michigan Tech (14)
12. Alaska Anchorage (10)
MSU at Minnesota Duluth — Game 1 live blog
Lines are posted below the live chat ...
MINNESOTA STATE
21-Grant 18-Leitner 22-McInnis
26-Margonari 23-Blueger 25-Hayes
24-Knowles 12-LaFonatine 8-Gaede
9-Geravis 29-Zuck 19-Lehrke
16-Elbrecht 27-Stern
7-Palmquist 4-Buchanan
2-Nelson 28-Jutzi
35-Williams
30-Cook
Scratches: Burkemper, Herndon*, Karembelas, Knoll, Mosey*, Thauwald
* = on trip
MINNESOTA DULUTH
25-J.Crandall 21-Herbert 17-Seidel
11-Farley 13-Cameranesi 18-Basaraba
24-Sampair 15-Hendrickson 26-Krause
10-DeLisle 20-Danberg 23-Young
8-Olson 7-Welinski
16-Smith 5-Casto
6-Johnson 28-Bergman
36-McNeely
31-A.Crandall
30-Fons
Referees: Scott Bokal, Timm Walsh. Linesmen: Sterling Egan, Brandon Polich
MINNESOTA STATE
21-Grant 18-Leitner 22-McInnis
26-Margonari 23-Blueger 25-Hayes
24-Knowles 12-LaFonatine 8-Gaede
9-Geravis 29-Zuck 19-Lehrke
16-Elbrecht 27-Stern
7-Palmquist 4-Buchanan
2-Nelson 28-Jutzi
35-Williams
30-Cook
Scratches: Burkemper, Herndon*, Karembelas, Knoll, Mosey*, Thauwald
* = on trip
MINNESOTA DULUTH
25-J.Crandall 21-Herbert 17-Seidel
11-Farley 13-Cameranesi 18-Basaraba
24-Sampair 15-Hendrickson 26-Krause
10-DeLisle 20-Danberg 23-Young
8-Olson 7-Welinski
16-Smith 5-Casto
6-Johnson 28-Bergman
36-McNeely
31-A.Crandall
30-Fons
Referees: Scott Bokal, Timm Walsh. Linesmen: Sterling Egan, Brandon Polich
WCHA scraps 'Alaska Plan,' will have 8-team playoff
It appears that the revamped Western Collegiate Hockey
Association is getting close to finalizing its championship format and playoff
venues for its first four years.
And, oh by the way, the controversial “Alaska
Plan” is out. But so is a Final Five.
Athletic directors from the
10-team WCHA voted to approve an eight-team tournament with the bottom two
teams in the regular-season standings missing out on postseason play. The top
four teams would host the next four in best-of-three first-round series with
the winners advancing to a single-elimination championship weekend. The
championship site likely will rotate between Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids,
Mich. (2014, 2016), and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul (2015, 2017).
The playoff format will not have the two Alaska schools,
Anchorage and Fairbanks, automatically playing each other in the first round,
as the league announced they would last summer. That plan made some sense from
a cost-saving standpoint but was almost universally panned on its competition
merits.
Comment: This appears to be a much better plan than what the league came up with last summer. With everything happening with the Big Ten and the NCHC, the WCHA couldn't play the small-potatoes game. It had to be as legit as it's been for much of its history when it comes to playoffs — which ultimately decides the league's NCAA bid. The Alaska Plan hurt that integrity and that was worth more than the money saved in travel costs. As for leaving the ninth and 10th teams out of the playoffs, I have no problem with that. Incentive to get better. The four-, not five-team format in the championship. No biggie there right now. The Final Five brand will be tough to part with, but this might give the league a chance to rebrand itself under its new look going forward.
Comment: This appears to be a much better plan than what the league came up with last summer. With everything happening with the Big Ten and the NCHC, the WCHA couldn't play the small-potatoes game. It had to be as legit as it's been for much of its history when it comes to playoffs — which ultimately decides the league's NCAA bid. The Alaska Plan hurt that integrity and that was worth more than the money saved in travel costs. As for leaving the ninth and 10th teams out of the playoffs, I have no problem with that. Incentive to get better. The four-, not five-team format in the championship. No biggie there right now. The Final Five brand will be tough to part with, but this might give the league a chance to rebrand itself under its new look going forward.
For more, including some comments from Minnesota State athletic director Kevin Buisman read my story in The Free Press story here.
Friday morning skate
Can we say that it's officially the stretch run? Looking at the jammed-up WCHA standings, we should be in for one heck of a ride over the next five weeks.
"This is a great time of the year," Minnesota State coach Mike Hastings said. "If you want to see good hockey, go see a WCHA game. The want-to, the competitiveness, it's all around college hockey. If you buy a ticket to a college hockey game this time of year, you're going to be entertained."
Perhaps Hastings should have saved that pitch for next week when the Mavericks are at home. But this weekend they're in Duluth to face a UMD team they have defeated just once in their last 16 meetings.
Minnesota State has been good on the road this season, and they're coming off a much-needed break, but the Mavericks know this is the time to step things up a notch. Eriah Hayes, for instance, hasn't scored a goal in his last six games, and he hopes to change that trend this weekend. Hayes still leads MSU with 12 goals, and his seven power-play goals rank first in the WCHA and are tied for second in the nation.
Hastings has done some line shuffling to try to "get back to using our depth" and to find some consistency, but he added that having last weekend off seemed to energize some players, especially Hayes and Jean-Paul LaFontaine, the latter the coach called "an absolute ball of energy" when he's on his game.
For more on the series, be sure read the sidebar accompanying the Hayes story.
From the Duluth side of things, Kevin Pates of the News-Tribune has his usual outstanding coverage. That coverage will be missed when he retires later this year. I'm looking forward to going to Duluth this weekend and hanging in the press box with Kevin one last time (barring a playoff meeting, of course!). Patesy has always been good to me, ever since I was a pup sportswriter at the Mesabi Daily News not quite 20 years ago and ran into him from time to time in the high school rinks around the Iron Range.
Pates writes that MSU's turnaround under Hastings this season is one of the best stories in the WCHA. Also, Bulldogs hard-shooting forward Caleb Herbert, who had an outstanding rookie season, appears to have come out of his sophomore slump. The rest of the News-Tribune's preview is here.
Going around the WCHA, all 12 teams are in action against each other with some intriguing matchups ...
• Minnesota will try to keep St. Cloud State from running away with the McNaughton Cup when those teams meet at the National Hockey Center for the last time as WCHA foes.
• North Dakota goes to Nebraska Omaha, and Saturday's game will be played outdoors at TD Ameritrade Park, the new home of the College World Series
• Arch rivals Colorado College and Denver will square off in a home-and-home series.
• Alaska Anchorage and Michigan Tech will play in Houghton during Tech's annual Winter Carnival weekend.
• Bemidji State and Wisconsin will play in Madison. Only Anchorage has scored fewer goals than those two teams. So we'll probably see a couple of 6-5 games, right?
I'll, of course, be tweeting and live blogging once I get to Duluth and Amsoil Arena later today. Be sure check back later.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Another bump
People were a little taken aback a week ago when Minnesota State dropped a spot in the national rankings following its split with No. 1-ranked Minnesota. Well, the Mavericks didn't even play this weekend and they moved up four spots to No. 11. Go figure. Meanwhile, MSU got another bump in the Pairwise on Monday night, creeping up to No. 12 after the Beanpot games in Boston.
But as I write about in today's Free Press column, perhaps we all spend a little too much time clicking refresh on those rankings and worrying about what the national pollsters think and not enough time enjoying the actual games. Read that column here.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Down then up (updated)
Saturday night's WCHA results kept the idle Mavericks in seventh place in the league standings, but the action around college hockey caused them to bump up a spot to No. 15 in the Pairwise rankings.
Update: After Maine defeated UMass-Lowell on Sunday, the Pairwise adjusted again, putting MSU at at somewhat-more-comfortable No. 13. (Interestingly, they'd be 10th had they defeated Wisconsin in the game in which a late go-ahead goal was waved off. However, before the Maine-Lowell result, changing that Wisconsin loss to a win would have put them eighth. This is where I say, "Enjoy the season," meaning the games on the rinks, not the rankings on the computer screens. If the Mavericks continue playing as well as they have for most of the year, they should be fine. That being said, I'll, of course, continue to monitor their Pairwise position.)
It all sets up a pivotal series this weekend at Minnesota Duluth, which sits just two points behind MSU. The Mavericks are one point out of sixth place and three points out of third.
Around the WCHA: Denver 4, Minnesota Duluth 3 ... Michigan Tech 2, Nebraska Omaha 1 (OT) ... St. Cloud State 4, Bemidji State 1 ... North Dakota 4, Wisconsin 1 ... Colorado College 3, Alaska Anchorage 3 (OT)
11. Bemidji State (12), at UW
Update: After Maine defeated UMass-Lowell on Sunday, the Pairwise adjusted again, putting MSU at at somewhat-more-comfortable No. 13. (Interestingly, they'd be 10th had they defeated Wisconsin in the game in which a late go-ahead goal was waved off. However, before the Maine-Lowell result, changing that Wisconsin loss to a win would have put them eighth. This is where I say, "Enjoy the season," meaning the games on the rinks, not the rankings on the computer screens. If the Mavericks continue playing as well as they have for most of the year, they should be fine. That being said, I'll, of course, continue to monitor their Pairwise position.)
It all sets up a pivotal series this weekend at Minnesota Duluth, which sits just two points behind MSU. The Mavericks are one point out of sixth place and three points out of third.
Around the WCHA: Denver 4, Minnesota Duluth 3 ... Michigan Tech 2, Nebraska Omaha 1 (OT) ... St. Cloud State 4, Bemidji State 1 ... North Dakota 4, Wisconsin 1 ... Colorado College 3, Alaska Anchorage 3 (OT)
WCHA standings, with next opponent
1. St. Cloud State (29 points), vs. UM
2. Nebraska Omaha (26) vs. UND
3. Minnesota (24), at SCSU
Denver (24) vs./at CC
North Dakota (24) at UNO
6. Wisconsin (22), vs. BSU
7. Minnesota State (21), at UMD
8. Minnesota Duluth (19), vs. MSU
9. Colorado College (17), at/vs. CC
10. Michigan Tech (14), vs. UAA
12. Alaska Anchorage (8), at MTU
Friday, February 1, 2013
Mavs slip to seventh
Minnesota State is now in seventh place in the WCHA after all but one of the league's games ended on Friday night. The Mavericks are idle this weekend. They want to finish the regular season in a top-six spot and get home ice for the league playoffs. Currently, they're one point out of fourth and three out of third.
Around the WCHA: Denver 3, Minnesota Duluth 0 ... Nebraska Omaha 4, Michigan Tech 3 ... St. Cloud State 4, Bemidji State 0 ... Wisconsin 1, North Dakota 1 (OT) ... Colorado College 2, Alaska Anchorage 2 (OT)
Around the WCHA: Denver 3, Minnesota Duluth 0 ... Nebraska Omaha 4, Michigan Tech 3 ... St. Cloud State 4, Bemidji State 0 ... Wisconsin 1, North Dakota 1 (OT) ... Colorado College 2, Alaska Anchorage 2 (OT)
WCHA standings
1. St. Cloud State (27 points)
2. Nebraska Omaha (26)
3. Minnesota (24)
4. Denver (22)
North Dakota (22)
Wisconsin (22)
7. Minnesota State (21)
8. Minnesota Duluth (19)
9. Colorado College (16)
10. Bemidji State (12)
Michigan Tech (12)
12. Alaska Anchorage (7)
Mavs get another Nelson
Nelson is a Williston, N.D., native and won that state's Mr. Hockey award in 2010. He is in his third season of junior hockey, having played one season in Alexandria of the NAHL before getting drafted by the USHL's Force ninth overall in that league's 2011 entry draft. In two seasons with Fargo, he has 44 points, including 22 goals, over 96 games. He is fifth on this year's team in scoring.
The 5-foot-11, 186-pounder will turn 21 in April.
Friday morning skate
Minnesota State is idle this weekend, but the Mavericks are sure to be doing some scoreboard watching to find out where they land in the standings come Saturday night.
Ten teams are in action, including:
• Denver at Minnesota Duluth
• Michigan Tech at Nebraska Omaha
• St. Cloud State at Bemidji State
• Wisconsin at North Dakota
• Colorado College at Alaska Anchorage
The Mavericks are sitting smack dab in the middle of the standings with 21 points, tied for fourth place with North Dakota and Wisconsin, so they'll be paying close attention to that series. But Denver-Duluth will shake up the order, too. Meanwhile, Colorado College is trying to get back into the race for home ice, while Nebraska Omaha is hoping to jump to the top of the WCHA, ahead of St. Cloud State.
Meanwhile, Grand Forks Herald beat writer Brad Schlossman writes about college hockey officiating and the problem with diving and embellishing to draw penalties. WCHA supervisor of officials Greg Shepherd told the Herald that he's asking coaches to help get that out of the game.
Puckato's comment? Call the dive! I've seen it penalized just once this year (last Friday at Mariucci on the Gophers' Kyle Rau), and, over the years, I've rarely seen it called alone without a matching minor on the other team.
Ten teams are in action, including:
• Denver at Minnesota Duluth
• Michigan Tech at Nebraska Omaha
• St. Cloud State at Bemidji State
• Wisconsin at North Dakota
• Colorado College at Alaska Anchorage
The Mavericks are sitting smack dab in the middle of the standings with 21 points, tied for fourth place with North Dakota and Wisconsin, so they'll be paying close attention to that series. But Denver-Duluth will shake up the order, too. Meanwhile, Colorado College is trying to get back into the race for home ice, while Nebraska Omaha is hoping to jump to the top of the WCHA, ahead of St. Cloud State.
Meanwhile, Grand Forks Herald beat writer Brad Schlossman writes about college hockey officiating and the problem with diving and embellishing to draw penalties. WCHA supervisor of officials Greg Shepherd told the Herald that he's asking coaches to help get that out of the game.
Puckato's comment? Call the dive! I've seen it penalized just once this year (last Friday at Mariucci on the Gophers' Kyle Rau), and, over the years, I've rarely seen it called alone without a matching minor on the other team.
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