Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Ready the for second season: Minnesota State has had to play some tight games going into the playoffs, including both games against Bemidji State. Friday's 2-1 win and Saturday's 2-2 overtime tie perhaps were good signs for what's to come. Add to those a 4-2 win in the second game against Ferris State and the overtime win a week earlier at Alabama Huntsville, and MSU looks like a team that has the stomach for close games. They scored twice in the third period after falling behind 2-0 to the stingy Beavers, getting a power-play goal from C.J. Suess and a short-handed score from Marc Michaelis. Michaelis had two goals in the series and now had nine goals and 11 points in eight games against BSU.
2. 'Tender mercies: Connor LaCouvee stopped 17 of 19 shots in the game, trying, once again to outplay Michael Bitzer, who stopped 38 of 40 shots. Both goalies made some impressive saves, even though Bitzer saw more rubber. "I don’t think the amount is what you should be focused on," coach Mike Hastings said. "It should be the saves and when he made them. I think we learned a little bit about (LaCouvee) this weekend, which I think’s really important because we’re going to need it. You have to have great goaltending when you get down to the playoffs." LaCouvee finishes the regular season with a 20-3-1 record.
3. Extra point: Bemidji State in five rounds of sudden-death shootout to get the extra point for the WCHA standings, with Leo Fitzgerald beating LaCouvee in the final round, followed by Bitzer stopping Brad McClure. That was the only goal that was scored. The shootout followed five minutes of 3x3 overtime in which the players looked absolutely gassed. The 3x3 followed a regular OT session. Minnesota State had power plays in both OTs but couldn't score. The fans seemed to like the tiebreaker (the first time MSU had been involved in one all year), but my deadline sure didn't!
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Bowling Green 3, Alabama Huntsville 0 ... Michigan Tech 3, Northern Michigan 2 ... Ferris State 4, Lake Superior State 2 ... Alaska Anchorage at Alaska (late)
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