Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Alive for five: For the third time in three games, all home games, Minnesota State has scored five goals. They're second in the nation in scoring average with 3.79 per game. Only Michigan (4.22) has scored more. Five different players scored goals, and, as I point out in my gamer (link below), nine different players have accounted for the last 15 goals. Bryce Gervais, who had the first goal on Friday, has four in that span and 19 for the season. Matt Leitner, Michael Huntebrinker and Brett Knowles each have two of those. The most impressive goal against the Seawolves might have been defenseman Casey Nelson's cannon shot from the right point, a one-timer of a Brad McClure pass, that gave MSU a 3-1 lead early in the second period.
2. Special teams play: Each team scored a pair of power-play goals, with MSU finishing 2 for 4 and UAA going 2 for 6. Each team also had some 5x3 time to work with. Mavericks coach Mike Hastings admitted that he was a little nervous when his team didn't take advantage of the situation and extend a 3-1 lead to 4-1 early in the second period. That kept a Seawolves team desperate for league points hanging around. Later in the second, MSU had to kill off a minute of its own two-man disadvantage and did so successfully. Anchorage put 10 of its 25 shots on goalie Stephon Williams when it was on the power play.
3. Holding their own: The Mavericks' win kept them four points ahead of Michigan Tech atop the league standings. Tech won again on Friday, beating Bemidji State at home. There's no shaking the Huskies, it seems, and all signs still point to quite the showdown later this month. Each team has three games between now and then, of course, including Saturday night. The fans aren't waiting, though, as 3,955 came out to see Friday's game. And why not? With this team averaging 4.38 goals per game at home, it's giving folks in Mankato quite a show.
Deep thought: Made these quick tonight so I can get to the annual media game (wish me luck).
Read my Free Press gamer here.
Around the WCHA: Bowling Green 2, Ferris State 1 ... Michigan Tech 3, Bemidji State 1 ... Minnesota Duluth 3, Northern Michigan 1 ... Alaska 3, Lake Superior State 1
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