Mavericks 3, Beavers 2

Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...

1. Changing the subject: The Mavericks have to be relieved they're no longer talking about a couple of nasty streaks: 1. Their three-game scoreless streak. 2. Their five game winless streak (four games to start the season). "We felt like it was coming," said Teddy Blueger, whose short-handed breakaway goal ended up as the game-winner at 8:03 of the third period. "We had a lot of chances the last couple of games. We finally got the monkey off our back." Bryce Gervais' shorty in the first period ended the scoreless streak at 213:58. Brad McClure, he of so many shots on goal in the first four games, had the other goal, a game-tying one at 5:19 of the third.

2. New face in goal: Coach Mike Hastings decided to give freshman Jason Pawloski his first start in goal (His reason: "We were 0-4."), and it worked out quite well. Pawloski allowed two goals on 20 shots, one off a turnover in the first period and another 5-on-3 goal late in the second when the Mavericks took a couple inexplicable too-man-men penalties back to back, followed by a delay of game penalty when Ryan Schwalbe put his hand on the puck during a faceoff. "Obviously, I was excited (to get the start)," Pawloski said. "It was pretty unreal. I thought I was a little shaky, but the guys in front of me did a great job. They kept shots at a minimum and Grade A chances to a minimum."

3. Coming from behind: The Mavericks' win was impressive because they trailed 2-1 after two periods, and the Sanford Center is no easy place to win when you're behind in the third. Bemidji State defended well in an ugly second period, holding MSU to just three shots on goal. "It was definitely a grind," Blueger said. "They're a tough team to play, especially up here. Being the first win of the year made it even sweeter. It was a good win overall." It also put the Mavericks 1-0 in WCHA play. "I hope the guys can get some confidence from that," Hastings said.

Read my game story here. Check out the Jack Hittinger's Bemidji Pioneer gamer here.

Around the WCHA: Michigan State 2, Lake Superior State 0 ... Northern Michigan 4, Michigan Tech 1 ... Wisconsin 5, Ferris State 5, OT ... Alaska Anchorage 3, Alabama Huntsville 3, OT