Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Isn't that special? The Mavericks dominated the special teams game on Saturday. They scored two power-play goals (and netted a third just as a penalty ended), and they killed off seven penalties, allowing just two Northern Michigan shots on goal and scoring a pair of short-handed goals. Bryce Gervais was outstanding on the PK and was rewarded with a huge shorty early in the third period. In that situation, the Mavericks led 3-1 but were in the box for the ninth of 11 times (yes, too many). A Wildcats goal would have swayed momentum to the home team. Instead, Matt Leitner flipped the puck high in the air out of his own end and right to Gervais at center ice. Gervais, with a defender on him carried the puck in and made a terrific shot to beat Mathias Dahlstrom low on the glove side.
2. Big bounce: After sinking to a low spot on Friday, the Mavericks ended a three-game road skid and improved to 2-6 on the road since 2014 began. Must win? Sure seemed like it. The Mavericks have played just two home games since early December and will play three of their final four regular-season series in Mankato. "It's been a long two months," coach Mike Hastings said. "Other than the Ferris (State) weekend ... We've had two (home) games since Dec. 6-7. Now were' going to go back, and it's Feb. 7-8. It's been a long road, and I know it isn't perfect. I just thought tonight was a really important game."
3. Leit goes on: Leitner was a big reason for Saturday's turnaround. After having one of his worst games on Friday, he "answered the bell," Hastings said, and had one of his best games of the season on Saturday. Leitner scored a goal and assisted on three others, including the heads-up "Hail Mary," as Gervais called it, for Gervais' shorty. "If we didn't have energy tonight, it was going to be a rough ride home and a rough week," Leitner said. Meanwhile, Johnny McInnis scored two goals for a three-goal weekend, and Chase Grant added a short-handed goal, his second score of the series. Jean-Paul LaFontaine finished with two assists.
Read the game story here.
Around the WCHA: Michigan 5, Bowling Green 4 (OT) ... Alaska 6, Alabama Huntsvile 1
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