Mavs seek scoring (and other notes)

The Mavericks took the red-eye home from Anchorage shortly after their loss to the Seawolves on Saturday night, got some rest Sunday and were back on the ice on Monday. A key to this week: finding ways to boost the scoring again. 

It appeared that MSU outplayed Anchorage everywhere but where it counted: the scoreboard. That included their own ability to finish pucks and, to some degree, in the goaltending department, where Chris Kamal outplayed Cole Huggins and Stephon Williams.

"It still comes down to scoring," coach Mike Hastings said on Monday afternoon. In their three losses in Alaska, the Mavericks scored 2, 1 and 1. They had 6 goals in their win. During their seven-game winning streak before Christmas, they averaged almost 4 goals a game.

The link above quotes some of Hastings' video comments following Friday's loss, including his thoughts on scoring goals.

Meanwhile, it's becoming clear how just how difficult it is to win on the road in the WCHA and in college hockey. Anchorage is a place where the Mavericks have had much success in the past, but new coach Matt Thomas' turnaround project seems to be going in a similar direction to Hastings' job last season in Mankato — namely, the importance of winning at home.

In other MSU-related news:

• The NHL's Central Scouting Service mid-season rankings were released on Monday, and there were two Minnesota State recruits on the North American lists: Fargo Force defenseman Hunter Warner (206) and Indiana Ice goaltender Jason Pawloski (goalie 34).

• The Minnesota State women's team will play outdoors on Friday at the Hockey City Classic at TCF Bank Stadium. They will play Minnesota at 4:30 p.m.

• MSU men's recruit Ryan Schwalbe was traded from the USHL's Youngstown Phantoms to the Sioux Falls Stampede last week. The Anchorage native and former Shattuck player is now teammates with two other future Mavericks, Zeb Knutson and C.J. Franklin.