Mavericks 3, Chargers 0

Freddy's three thoughts of the game:

1. Back on top: Minnesota State's sweep of Alabama Huntsville put it back in first place in the WCHA standings, five points ahead of Bowling Green, Northern Michigan (MSU's next opponent) and Michigan Tech. Tech has played four more games than MSU and BG, however. At the halfway mark of the conference schedule, the Mavericks are 11-3 against conference opponents. In their last four games, all wins, they have outscored Lake Superior State and Alabama Huntsville 20-2. That streak came after a 3-1 loss at Minnesota Duluth. "I think the work the guys did collectively," coach Mike Hastings said of the turnaround from that game. "They’re holding each other accountable and working for each other, knowing that what one does sets the other up for success. … We’ve been better offensively but better defensively also."

2. Better start: Minnesota State started better than it did on Friday, getting a 1-0 lead on freshman Reggie Lutz's power-play goal. It was Lutz's third goal and 11th point, and it came on a similar play to a first-period power-play chance on Friday that was turned away with an amazing save. Goaltender Connor LaCouvee had to make a couple tough saves early on, too, en route to his second straight shutout (more on him in my Monday series notebook). "I knew they’d come," Hastings said of the Chargers. "They’ve won in some pretty difficult buildings, Tech, Bowling Green Northern. They’re prideful in what they’re doing also. It was a pretty good pace to that first period going both ways."

3. Dirty play? It will be interesting to see if the WCHA punishes UAH's Brennan Saulnier for the elbow to the head of Dallas Gerads with 30 seconds left in the game. Gerads had to be helped out of the rink and could barely lift his head up as he departed. Hastings was livid on the bench, directing ire at his counterpart, Mike Corbett, but also at the referees, apparently arguing for a game disqualification for Saulnier. The Chargers senior got a 5-minute major and a game misconduct. Saulnier does have a history. He has twice been suspended by the league for head contact, getting two games last January in January of 2016 and a one-game ban in October of 2015.

Read my game story, which focuses on the stellar play of senior C.J. Suess (two goals, four on the weekend) here.

Around the WCHA: Bemidji State 4, Alaska Anchorage 0 ... Northern Michigan 4, Ferris State 2 ... Michigan Tech 3, Lake Superior State 3 (Tech wins in shootout)

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