Mavericks 3, Falcons 2 (OT)

Freddy's three thoughts of the game (from afar) ...

1. I'd keep playing: Minnesota State and Bowling Green may be developing a nice rivalry after playing four games in a 16-day span with three of the games going to overtime. The Mavericks won two of the OT games, getting a very much-needed victory on Saturday night. In their season series, the two teams each scored 10 goals, and Bowling Green had a 117-115 shots-on-goal edge. Doesn't get much closer than that. Perhaps they'll meet again in Grand Rapids.

2. Top players step up: Bryce Gervais scored the overtime winner, his fourth goal of the season. After the game coach Mike Hastings said Gervais has "played well the last 2 1/2 weeks." He sure seemed to have plenty of scoring chances all weekend against the Falcons. He was credited with six shots on goal on Saturday and eight for the series. Chase Grant made a tremendous pass to set up the goal. He out-hustled two defenders and got some Stretch Armstrong arms to tap the puck to Gervais in the slot. Jean-Paul LaFontaine had a goal and an assist, and Matt Leitner scored his first goal of the season.

3. Look in the mirror: The game was a reflection of Friday's game in which MSU had a 2-0 lead in the first period and saw it slip away. On Saturday, the Mavericks trailed 2-0 after one period and came back to force overtime and win it in the extra period, just as Bowling Green did the night before. Stephon Williams got the start in goal and stopped 11 shots in the first period. Cole Huggins, who took the loss Friday, came in in the second and stopped all 21 shots he faced for the win. Said Hastings: "We needed a little change. Willy had done a pretty decent job in there, but we needed to do something to change the momentum."

Deep thought: Check out my story in Sunday's Free Press about Gustavus goaltender Marah Sobczak. She got the surprising start in goal today (and the win). It was her first start (and third appearance) since the horrible 2012 car crash that left her and her sister in critical condition and facing quite the uphill climb.

Around the WCHA: Ferris State 4, Alaska 3 ... Northern Michigan 4, Alabama Huntsville 0 .. Bemidji State 2, Lake Superior 1 (OT) ... Michigan Tech 2, Alaska Anchorage 2 (OT)