Friday, February 12, 2016

Mavericks 3, Chargers 3 (OT)


Freddy's three thoughts (from afar):

1. Bad bounce: Take a look at the video above and you'll see the key play in Friday's surprising tie between the first-place Mavericks and the last-place Chargers. That bizarre goal during a delayed penalty gave UAH a 3-2 lead midway through the game. The Mavericks eventually tied things up midway through the third period to get one point out of the game, but getting just one point stung a bit. “That's one you don't plan on,” MSU coach Mike Hastings said of the weird goal. “I don't know what to say, other than that's kind of the way our night went.” Hastings said he had never seen a play like that in person but stressed that senior Jimmy Mullin didn't err on the play. “I back Jimmy Mullin 100 percent for trying to make a play,” he said. “Jimmy is trying to do things the right way, and it didn't work out.” (As an aside, I recall a similar goal being "scored" by Minnesota in a game against St. Cloud State 18-19 years ago.)

2. What else went wrong? The Mavericks took eight penalties, including three by senior Bryce Gervais. That's certainly an area in which they want to clean things up. Gervais also scored two goals, including the game-tying goal. I was surprised to see him on the ice to get that considering his hat trick of infractions, including an unsportsmanlike conduct call in the third and another penalty in the second that negated an MSU power play. Minnesota State also gave up a short-handed goal 28 seconds into the second period. Casey Nelson also negated a power play in the final minutes of regulation, although it was on a short-handed scoring chance for the Chargers. "We got a point on the road, but there are some things we need to clean up and clean up in a hurry," Hastings said. "Tonight was one where we all need to be held accountable, me included.”

3. What went right? Mavericks senior Teddy Blueger finished the game with two assists, the first of which gave him 100 points for his college career. Blueger has 20 assists this season and 28 points, both of which lead Minnesota State and the WCHA. Meanwhile, Gervais' two goals put him back in a tie for the team lead with C.J. Franklin with 12. Gervais has 93 career points. Mullin also had two assists in the game, and Zach Stepan scored the Mavericks' other goal. Goalie Cole Huggins stopped 15 shots, including a penalty shot early in the second period. The point did extend MSU's lead atop the WCHA standings to three points, although the Mavericks certainly would have like to have that other point in its pocket. They have to find a way to get two on Saturday.

Around the WCHA: Ferris State 5, Northern Michigan 1 ... Bemidji State 2, Lake Superior State 1 ... Miami 4, Bowling Green 1

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