Friday, November 10, 2017

Friday Morning Skate

The Mavericks are on the road — again — as they face their biggest WCHA rival, Bemidji State. This will be the fourth time in five weeks that Minnesota State is playing on the road, and the team has really racked up the miles already this season. And that's before it's gone to Lake Superior State, Alaska Anchorage, Alaska and Alabama Huntsville.

And the stops so far haven't been easy. Minnesota State has played the country's sixth toughest schedule.

They'll be playing a Beavers team that is just getting back from Alaska. However, they've also played most of their games at home so far this season.

Read more about the matchup in The Free Press' College Hockey Gameday feature.

The Beavers will be without sophomore defenseman Zach Whitecloud, who is competing for Team Canada in the Karjala Cup tournament in Switzerland and Finland.

All 10 WCHA teams are in action against each other this weekend. The other matchups are:

Northern Michigan vs. Michigan Tech: Another big rivalry will take place in the UP with this home-and-home series. The crowds weren't very big in Marquette last weekend when MSU was there, but it's expected to be packed on Saturday when this series moves there.

Alaska at Ferris State: The Bulldogs got a nice overtime win last week against Michigan but are still looking for their first WCHA victory, starting 0-3-1 in league play. The Nanooks are making their third trip to the Lower 48 already.

Lake Superior State at Bowling Green: The Falcons are tied with the Mavericks for first place in the WCHA and will host the Lakers, their oldest rival. LSSU has one win in its last nine games.

Alaska Anchorage at Alabama Huntsville: The Chargers are making their home debut after starting the season with eight games on the road. They're 2-6-0 and will play their next six games at home. The Seawolves won their first game of the season last Saturday at Lake Superior State.

In the post below this you can read about Minnesota State's early recruiting signees. The MSU women announced a class of six on Wednesday.

ICYMI: my column from earlier this week on how, so far, seniors have ruled in the WCHA.

More on the WCHA from USCHO.

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