Mavericks 5, U.S. Under-18s 3

Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...

1. A look at the future? C.J. Suess and Daniel Brickley were healthy scratches, getting a well-deserved break during the exhibition game after playing so many minutes this season and with some very important ones to come. But others stepped up in their place. Connor Mackey (1G, 1A), Josh French (1G, 1A), Reggie Lutz (1G, 1A, 7 SOG) and Jared Spooner (1G) all looked good, while Marc Michaelis (1G) played center, with coach Mike Hastings hinting that's where he'll probably be next year (read my gamer linked below for quotes on that and for more about Mackey). Jason Pawloski (17 saves) played the entire game, which might be unusual for an exhibition. "It’s been awhile since he’s been able to play 60 (minutes)," Hastings said of the goalie. "Connor (LaCouvee’s) done a real good job. Jason’s been working hard, and I wanted to give him an opportunity to see as many pucks as he could."

2. Solid opponent: The U.S. team's players may be young (mostly seniors in high school) but they're a talented group with 15 D-I commits and four players who may be first-round picks this summer (and another who just might be the No. 1 overall pick a year later). Jack Hughes, Oliver Wahlstrom, Mattias Samuelsson were impressive throughout the night. Besides playing several exhibition games against college teams, Team USA plays a regular schedule in the USHL. It's also preparing for the U-18 World Championships in Russia. "What they've done to put hockey in our country in a different place than it was 5-10 years ago is pretty special," Hastings said. "Year in and year out, the U.S. team's competing for gold. And to see what's transpired, not only with the matriculation of our guys going to the NHL, but how our world junior team does, I just think it's on a path that we need to continue to stay with because it's working."

3. What's ahead: Playing outside the WCHA the last two weeks, Minnesota State's actually dropped to third place in the league standings, behind Northern Michigan and Bowling Green. The Mavericks do have two games in hand, though, and will try to trek back to the top of the heap over the next month, starting Friday and Saturday at home against Alaska Anchorage. Will they be healthy for the home stretch? Senior forward Max Coatta took a hard hit late in the game (a major penalty for boarding was called) and hit his head. Hastings said he was waiting on seeing on his condition.

For more, please read my game story here.

Around the WCHA: Ferris State 3, Michigan Tech 1 ... Bowling Green 3, Lake Superior State 2 ... Bemidji State 5, Alabama Huntsville 1 ... Northern Michigan at Alaska Anchorage (late)