MSU 4, Omaha 2

Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...

1. Important comeback, Part I: Minnesota State trailed 2-0 at 11:07, and Cole Huggins was yanked after allowing two goals on three shots. But coach Mike Hastings said he didn't mind the way his team was playing overall in the first period, and both he and captain Chase Grant said they didn't sense any panic in the locker room between periods. "I didn't see guys start pulling apart at the seams," Hastings said. "That's a positive." MSU went out and scored four unanswered goals in the second period and shut down Omaha's power play six times to win the game, showing a little early-season resolve.

2. Important comeback, Part II: The win also meant a comeback for a series split, no easy task on the road after dropping the first game. Going 1-1 against a nonconference rival isn't a bad way to open the season, but given the way it wants to start the season, getting at least one win was vital. "Really big," Hastings said. "It's such a process, and (UNO coach Dean Blais) is probably going through the same thing. We learned a lot as a staff about our team. I think we learned a lot about ourselves tonight being down 2-nothing on the road and coming back and having the kind of second period we had."

3. Stephon shines: After Huggins was pulled, Stephon Williams came in and stopped all 10 shots he faced the rest of the way to get the win. Williams, the junior who lost his starting job to Huggins last season, didn't see a lot of rubber, thanks to some stellar defensive work and physical play. However, he did make a couple of key saves to preserve the two-goal lead. There might have been some speculation about Williams starting Saturday's game, but Hastings went with Huggins. "Today when I named Cole Huggings the starter, no pout to (Williams) at all," Hastings said. "He went out and worked, worked his tail off during then the (morning) skate. He deserved to play, and I thought he showed quite a bit of himself tonight."

Deep thought: The Spirit of the Maverick trophy stayed in Omaha after the series, due to the split an the fact that each team scored seven goals on the weekend. MSU needed one more goal to take it back. It's best chance came during a UNO power play with about 6 minutes left in the game. In the Dean-Blais-being-Dean-Blais department, he pulled his goalie for the power play to skate 6 on 4 and try to cut down the two-goal deficit. MSU's kill was excellent, but it couldn't get a sniff at the empty net.

Read my game story here.

Around the WCHA: Robert Morris 3, Lake Superior State 0 ... North Dakota 2, Bemidji State 1 ... Alaska 5, Maine 2 ... Colorado College 4, Alabama Huntsville 3 ... Wisconsin at Alaska Anchorage (late)