Mavericks 5, Beavers 2

Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...

1. Fourth line's a charm: Michael Huntebrinker scored his first collegiate goal on Friday, and it couldn't have come at a better time, as it broke a 1-1 tie at 2:30 of the third period. There are many things that made that game look like a blowout — the 5-2 score, the 48-28 shot advantage — but it was nip and tuck for awhile. Huntebrinker (read more about him in my gamer) converted a 2-on-1 rush with Brett Knowles, who made a wise pass on the play, and Max Gaede also assisted. Gaede got moved up a line earlier in the game, and Knowles overcame a tough bounce against him on the Beavers' first goal. The Mavericks want energy from that group, especially immediately after a special teams situation, and they got it on Friday.

2. Huggins comes up big: Have we been able to say a goaltender made a difference for Minnesota State yet this season? Cole Huggins wowed the crowd of 3,526 during a second-period power play for Bemidji State, making two amazing saves against Phillip Marinaccio, one on a back-door play and another on a close-range shot. Those stops came during a 1-1 game, and the Mavericks were having their own issues beating BSU goalie Andrew Walsh. Bemidji State doesn't make things easy 5 on 5, and it came into the game boasting the WCHA's best penalty kill. The Mavericks had just one power play through two periods but did end up 2 for 4 while holding the Beavers scoreless on four chances.

3. Usual suspects and more: Jean-Paul LaFontaine had a goal and an assist, and Matt Leitner assisted on two goals, including one to linemate Zach Lehrke, keeping them atop MSU's scoring charts. They have to keep doing what they're doing, but some more secondary scoring will make a big difference down the stretch. Besides the Huntebrinker/fourth-line goal, Zach Stepan had his first two-point game in two months, and defenseman Zach Palmquist finished with a goal and an assist. Chase Grant didn't score, but he was outstanding on the penalty kill throughout the night, including a couple of situations when he was holding the puck against three Bemidji State players.

Around the WCHA: Ferris State 7, Northern Michigan 1 ... Michigan Tech 4, Alabama Huntsville 1 ... Lake Superior State 5, Alaska Anchorage 3