Gophers 3, Mavericks 0

Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...

1. They gave them a game: Mavericks coach Mike Hastings called the game's opening 20 minutes "a playoff-style first period," and indeed it was a physical, tight-checking period with few great chances for either team. Minnesota, which is a darn-good, highly skilled team, came out of it 1-0, but it was a game, unlike the first period of Friday's series opener. And it stayed a good game until the Gophers scored two quick goals in the final half of the third period.

2. Top billing or undercard: Who would have thought a few weeks ago that Michael Shibrowski vs. Cole Huggins would be quite the goaltending battle on a Saturday night at Mariucci. Huggins, the Mavericks freshman, got his third consecutive start and was very good, stopping 33 shots. He said he'd like to have the first one back, and the second was "kind of a fluke goal" (still, a back-breaker). Meanwhile Shibrowski won over the Minnesota fans. The senior and career backup was making his third career start and fifth appearance, and stopped 25 shots for the shutout.

3. Offensive issues: The Mavericks' inability to finish plays and score goals continues to baffle. Captain Johnny McInnis said, "I don't want to say it's embarrassing because we played the best team in the country. But it's pretty unacceptable as a team to score one goal on the weekend. I don't care who we're playing." The Mavericks are now averaging 1.9 goals per game and hit the road again next week for Bowling Green, which already has a pair of shutout wins in its barn.

Read the game story here.

Around the WCHA: Ferris State 4, Bowling Green 2 ... Michigan Tech 2, Lake Superior 1 ... Alaska Anchorage 4, Bemidji State 4 (OT) ... St. Cloud State 4, Alabama Huntsville 3