Freddy's three thoughts of the game
1. More power: Minnesota State got two more power-play goals on Saturday after scoring four on Friday to finish off the sweep of the Nanooks. Ian Scheid scored the goals, both in 5-on-3 situations. You can read more about Scheid in my gamer (linked below). The Mavericks finally scored an even-strength goal, their first of the weekend, late in the game, getting some insurance from Jared Spooner. Parker Tuomie assisted on both of Scheid's goals and finished the weekend with five assists. He has 11 points in six games.
2. More work for Mathias: Mathias Israelsson got the start in goal for the second night in a row and had a little more work than his six-save shutout on Friday. He stopped 13 shots, including a tough save after a Scheid turnover midway through the second period and a breakaway early in the third, both keeping the score 2-1. He did allow a goal on the Nanooks' first shot of the game. It will be interesting to see what Mike Hastings does next week against Minnesota. The Mavericks now know they have options in net.
3. Could have been 4? The Mavericks were going for an empty-net goal in the final moments of the game when Max Coatta took a pretty heavy slash. The penalty was called, but a power play was awarded. Sure looked like the case where a goal should have been automatically awarded instead. Certainly, it made no difference in the outcome of the game, but you want to reward players for their work, especially in a sport where scoring is difficult. The penalty was the 20th called in the game.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Ferris State 3, Alaska Anchorage 2 ... Bemidji State 2, Northern Michigan 1 ... Bowling Green 2, Ohio State 2 (OT) ... Wisconsin 6, Michigan Tech 2 ... Lake Superior State 2, Alabama Huntsville 1
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Live: Minnesota State vs. Alaska, Game 2
The Mavericks will go for the series sweep against the Nanooks when they play at 7:07 p.m. at the Verizon Center. Follow along with the action below tonight's lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 11-Spooner, 15-Napravnik
10-McMahan, 26-French, 17-Duehr
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll
32-Israelsson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Bigelbach, Galambos, Gerads, Schwalbe, Vanko
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 11-Spooner, 15-Napravnik
10-McMahan, 26-French, 17-Duehr
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll
32-Israelsson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Bigelbach, Galambos, Gerads, Schwalbe, Vanko
ALASKA
11-Jandric, 15-Van Tetering, 28-Hope
14-Blaszczak, 23-Leer, 36-Marino
26-Cline, 27-Leiter, 22-Staley
12-Hite, 20-Newton, 9-Young
29-Jandric, 5-Koberstein
25-Virtanen, 24-LaDouce
2-Weiss, 32-Thompson
8-Muzzillo
33-Martinsson
1-DellaMaggiore
14-Blaszczak, 23-Leer, 36-Marino
26-Cline, 27-Leiter, 22-Staley
12-Hite, 20-Newton, 9-Young
29-Jandric, 5-Koberstein
25-Virtanen, 24-LaDouce
2-Weiss, 32-Thompson
8-Muzzillo
33-Martinsson
1-DellaMaggiore
***
Friday, October 26, 2018
Mavericks 4, Nanooks 0
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Power players: Minnesota State's first two power plays weren't very pretty on Friday, but the rest of them were things of beauty. The Mavericks scored four times with the man advantage in eight opportunities. Alaska took eight penalties, but, in reality, MSU drew the eight infractions once they started using their puck-possession skills to dictate pace of play from the second period on. The Nanooks clearly wanted to play physical and limit the Mavericks' offense, but they didn't have an answer when it cost them a man in the box.
2. Introducing Mr. Napravnik: Julian Napravnik scored two goals and now has three in his last two games. The freshman from Germany finished off two nice plays, and his fellow countryman, Parker Tuomie continued his hot start with three assists in the game (he now has nine points in five games).
"I think (Napravnik's confidence is) pretty high," coach Mike Hastings said. "It should be. He’s put a lot of work in. He’s come in and he's one of those guys that lets his actions speak. He doesn’t say a tremendous amount. ... He's done the work that we've asked him to do. He's a talented hockey player."
3. Fourth star of the game: It's not often that a goaltender gets a shutout and isn't one of the three stars of the game (they were 1. Napravnik, 2. Charlie Gerard, 3. Tuomie), but Mathias Israelsson had to stop only six shots to get the first clean sheet of his college career. The graduate transfer from Northern Michigan didn't have to make a save until 12 minutes remained in the third period. It was his first action of the season after Dryden McKay started the first four games. "He’s got a maturity about him because he’s been around," Hastings said. "He’s been in the league, he’s played in the league, he’s played against us. He’s as prepared of an athlete as we have. Mentally and physically, he goes about his business. I’m happy for him to get his first shutout."
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Bowling Green 8, Ohio State 2 ... Michigan Tech 6, Wisconsin 2 ... Ferris State 4, Alaska Anchorage 0 ... Northern Michigan 3, Bemidji State 0 ... Lake Superior State 4, Alabama Huntsville 3
1. Power players: Minnesota State's first two power plays weren't very pretty on Friday, but the rest of them were things of beauty. The Mavericks scored four times with the man advantage in eight opportunities. Alaska took eight penalties, but, in reality, MSU drew the eight infractions once they started using their puck-possession skills to dictate pace of play from the second period on. The Nanooks clearly wanted to play physical and limit the Mavericks' offense, but they didn't have an answer when it cost them a man in the box.
2. Introducing Mr. Napravnik: Julian Napravnik scored two goals and now has three in his last two games. The freshman from Germany finished off two nice plays, and his fellow countryman, Parker Tuomie continued his hot start with three assists in the game (he now has nine points in five games).
"I think (Napravnik's confidence is) pretty high," coach Mike Hastings said. "It should be. He’s put a lot of work in. He’s come in and he's one of those guys that lets his actions speak. He doesn’t say a tremendous amount. ... He's done the work that we've asked him to do. He's a talented hockey player."
3. Fourth star of the game: It's not often that a goaltender gets a shutout and isn't one of the three stars of the game (they were 1. Napravnik, 2. Charlie Gerard, 3. Tuomie), but Mathias Israelsson had to stop only six shots to get the first clean sheet of his college career. The graduate transfer from Northern Michigan didn't have to make a save until 12 minutes remained in the third period. It was his first action of the season after Dryden McKay started the first four games. "He’s got a maturity about him because he’s been around," Hastings said. "He’s been in the league, he’s played in the league, he’s played against us. He’s as prepared of an athlete as we have. Mentally and physically, he goes about his business. I’m happy for him to get his first shutout."
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Bowling Green 8, Ohio State 2 ... Michigan Tech 6, Wisconsin 2 ... Ferris State 4, Alaska Anchorage 0 ... Northern Michigan 3, Bemidji State 0 ... Lake Superior State 4, Alabama Huntsville 3
Live: Minnesota State vs. Alaska
The Mavericks and the Nanooks will open WCHA play at 7:07 p.m. tonight. Follow along with the action below tonight's lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
20-Michaelis, 6-Tuomie, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 11-Spooner, 15-Napravnik
10-McMahan, 26-French, 17-Duehr
2-Mackey, 18-Scheid
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt, 4-Carroll
3-McNeely
32-Israelsson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Bigelbach, Galambos, Gerads, Schwalbe, Vanko
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 11-Spooner, 15-Napravnik
10-McMahan, 26-French, 17-Duehr
2-Mackey, 18-Scheid
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt, 4-Carroll
3-McNeely
32-Israelsson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Bigelbach, Galambos, Gerads, Schwalbe, Vanko
ALASKA
23-Leer, 27-Leiter, 22-Staley
11-Jandric, 15-Van Tetering, 28-Hope
26-Cline, 20-Newton, 9-Young
12-Hite, 17-Doyle, 36-Marino
29-Jandric, 5-Koberstein
25-Virtanen, 24-LaDouce
2-Weiss, 32-Thompson
13-Gresh
33-Martinsson
1-DellaMaggiore
11-Jandric, 15-Van Tetering, 28-Hope
26-Cline, 20-Newton, 9-Young
12-Hite, 17-Doyle, 36-Marino
29-Jandric, 5-Koberstein
25-Virtanen, 24-LaDouce
2-Weiss, 32-Thompson
13-Gresh
33-Martinsson
1-DellaMaggiore
***
Friday Morning Skate
Minnesota State is back home this weekend and will open WCHA play against Alaska, "a monster weekend," coach Mike Hastings said, reminding that league play is just as important, as taking on big-name schools like BU and North Dakota to start the season.
One player who has started out hot for MSU has been Parker Tuomie, the junior forward from Germany. He has six points, including four goals, in four games and has been called the most-competitive player on the team.
I had good chats with Tuomie and Hastings for that story. Here are a couple of outtakes that had to be cut from the story:
• Tuomie on improving his conditioning and skating: "A big thing this summer, I got in a lot better shape and was able build a lot more muscle. Last year, having a guy like Tim Jackman on our staff and working with us, he was able to show me a lot of pointers on how to improve my skating. ... And coach Hastings, he has a big emphasis on skating, so we make sure throughout the season we always try to develop our skating and I think you can see that in our team."
• Tuomie on his fast start this season, compared to slower starts stat-wise in his first two seasons: "The first two seasons I could have had a stronger start. The puck didn’t always bounce my way in the first couple games the past two years, and this year I was fortunate enough that it did. It’s helped me, and it’s helped the team a lot."
• Hastings on other areas where Tuomie's matured: "He’s done a phenomenal job with our freshman class. When you talk to that freshman class about who’s had an impact on you in your short time here, it’s Parker Tuomie. ... He’s got more balance in his life right now. He’s done a real good job. He’s not a one-trick pony; it's not just hockey. He’s buckled down academically. He’s doing a lot of things the right way our guys can follow as far as team-building. I’m real excited about his future."
• Hastings on Tuomie challenging himself: "In my opinion, consistently. Right wing, left wing, he can play either. If I asked him to play in the middle he’d play there. He’s starting to take command out on the rink, too, at times: 'We’ve got to do this; we’ve got to do that.' He’s doing a lot of the we things, which I think is a maturity also."
As for the Nanooks, they are winless but have also played a tough schedule with St. Cloud State and Denver on their docket. Playing the Mavericks to start the conference slate doesn't make things any easier, new coach Eric Largen said.
Saturday night is Hockey Night in Mankato, with pregame festivities in the Civic Center Plaza from 4:30-7.
There are three other WCHA series this weekend as well:
• Alaska Anchorage at Ferris State: The Seawolves opened the season with a split against Colorado College and then didn't play the next two weekends. After 19 days, they're finally back in action against the 1-3 Bulldogs.
• Bemidji State at Northern Michigan: The Beavers were off last weekend after a win and tie against North Dakota and open league play against one of the WCHA favorites. The Wildcats, meanwhile, are 1-3, starting a bit slower than expected, but they hope home ice cures what ails them.
• Lake Superior State at Alabama Huntsville: The 2-0 Lakers hit the road and hope to keep things rolling against the winless Chargers (0-6), who have been outscored 23-3 so far.
In nonconferene play:
• Bowling Green plays Ohio State home and home: Bowling Green is 4-1, including a nice win over Western Michigan on Tuesday. The Falcons are ranked No. 15 but now face their toughest test with games against No. 4 (and previous No. 1) Ohio State, their in-state and old CCHA rival.
• Michigan Tech at Wisconsin: The Huskies are 0-2 after starting the season with two losses to Minnesota Duluth. After a week off, they're in Madison to take on the No. 14 Badgers. It's the start of an eight-game road swing for Tech.
The Minnesota State women play at Bemidji State, and the Gustavus Adolphus men's and women's teams officially start the Division III season this weekend.
One player who has started out hot for MSU has been Parker Tuomie, the junior forward from Germany. He has six points, including four goals, in four games and has been called the most-competitive player on the team.
I had good chats with Tuomie and Hastings for that story. Here are a couple of outtakes that had to be cut from the story:
• Tuomie on improving his conditioning and skating: "A big thing this summer, I got in a lot better shape and was able build a lot more muscle. Last year, having a guy like Tim Jackman on our staff and working with us, he was able to show me a lot of pointers on how to improve my skating. ... And coach Hastings, he has a big emphasis on skating, so we make sure throughout the season we always try to develop our skating and I think you can see that in our team."
• Tuomie on his fast start this season, compared to slower starts stat-wise in his first two seasons: "The first two seasons I could have had a stronger start. The puck didn’t always bounce my way in the first couple games the past two years, and this year I was fortunate enough that it did. It’s helped me, and it’s helped the team a lot."
• Hastings on other areas where Tuomie's matured: "He’s done a phenomenal job with our freshman class. When you talk to that freshman class about who’s had an impact on you in your short time here, it’s Parker Tuomie. ... He’s got more balance in his life right now. He’s done a real good job. He’s not a one-trick pony; it's not just hockey. He’s buckled down academically. He’s doing a lot of things the right way our guys can follow as far as team-building. I’m real excited about his future."
• Hastings on Tuomie challenging himself: "In my opinion, consistently. Right wing, left wing, he can play either. If I asked him to play in the middle he’d play there. He’s starting to take command out on the rink, too, at times: 'We’ve got to do this; we’ve got to do that.' He’s doing a lot of the we things, which I think is a maturity also."
As for the Nanooks, they are winless but have also played a tough schedule with St. Cloud State and Denver on their docket. Playing the Mavericks to start the conference slate doesn't make things any easier, new coach Eric Largen said.
Saturday night is Hockey Night in Mankato, with pregame festivities in the Civic Center Plaza from 4:30-7.
There are three other WCHA series this weekend as well:
• Alaska Anchorage at Ferris State: The Seawolves opened the season with a split against Colorado College and then didn't play the next two weekends. After 19 days, they're finally back in action against the 1-3 Bulldogs.
• Bemidji State at Northern Michigan: The Beavers were off last weekend after a win and tie against North Dakota and open league play against one of the WCHA favorites. The Wildcats, meanwhile, are 1-3, starting a bit slower than expected, but they hope home ice cures what ails them.
• Lake Superior State at Alabama Huntsville: The 2-0 Lakers hit the road and hope to keep things rolling against the winless Chargers (0-6), who have been outscored 23-3 so far.
In nonconferene play:
• Bowling Green plays Ohio State home and home: Bowling Green is 4-1, including a nice win over Western Michigan on Tuesday. The Falcons are ranked No. 15 but now face their toughest test with games against No. 4 (and previous No. 1) Ohio State, their in-state and old CCHA rival.
• Michigan Tech at Wisconsin: The Huskies are 0-2 after starting the season with two losses to Minnesota Duluth. After a week off, they're in Madison to take on the No. 14 Badgers. It's the start of an eight-game road swing for Tech.
The Minnesota State women play at Bemidji State, and the Gustavus Adolphus men's and women's teams officially start the Division III season this weekend.
Monday, October 22, 2018
Mavericks still 7th, Coatta honored
Minnesota State remained No. 7 in the USCHO rankings and rose to that spot (from No. 8) in the USA Today poll following its series split at North Dakota. Notre Dame is now No. 1 in both polls, although five teams are receiving first-place votes. Bowling Green is now No. 15 in the USCHO poll.
Meanwhile, Minnesota State senior forward Max Coatta was named WCHA Forward of the Week after his four-goal, five-point weekend against the Fighting Hawks. That included his hat trick on Friday. It was the first time Coatta has won a WCHA weekly award.
USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll Minneapolis, Minn./October 22, 2018 Team (First Place) Record Pts Last Week 1 Notre Dame (28) 3- 0-1 960 2 2 St. Cloud State (14) 4- 0-0 918 4 3 Minnesota Duluth ( 5) 4- 1-1 902 3 4 Ohio State ( 1) 3- 1-0 862 1 5 Minnesota ( 2) 1- 0-1 756 6 6 Providence 3- 1-1 752 5 7 Minnesota State 3- 1-0 687 7 8 Cornell 0- 0-0 626 8 9 Denver 3- 0-1 597 9 10 Penn State 4- 0-0 586 10 11 Union 4- 0-1 437 20 12 Michigan 1- 2-0 341 11 13 Princeton 0- 0-0 325 14 14 Wisconsin 3- 1-0 324 15 15 Bowling Green 3- 1-0 226 17 16 Massachusetts 3- 1-0 213 NR 17 North Dakota 1- 2-1 210 16 18 Northeastern 2- 2-0 198 12 19 Western Michigan 3- 2-0 162 19 20 Quinnipiac 3- 0-0 112 NR Others receiving votes: Boston University 75, Colorado College 75, Clarkson 65, Bemidji State 20, Boston College 18, Harvard 14, Miami 14, Maine 9, RIT 9, UMass Lowell 3, Colgate 2, Arizona State 1, Brown 1.
Meanwhile, Minnesota State senior forward Max Coatta was named WCHA Forward of the Week after his four-goal, five-point weekend against the Fighting Hawks. That included his hat trick on Friday. It was the first time Coatta has won a WCHA weekly award.
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Fighting Hawks 4, Mavericks 3
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. First loss: The Mavericks are 3-1 after the first four games of the season, sweeping Boston University and splitting at North Dakota. That's probably a record most would be happy with after seeing those blue bloods on the schedule. "I’m proud of our group," coach Mike Hastings said. "We came into a pretty tough place and won a game and had an opportunity to do the same on Saturday." The Mavericks definitely could be 4-0 or 3-0-1. A rookie mistake by freshman goalie Dryden McKay with the puck behind the net led to the Fighting Hawks' game-winning goal.
2. Another Coatta: Max Coatta had a goal and an assist for a five-point weekend. He made a nice pass through traffic to set up freshman forward Julian Napravnik's first collegiate goal and later scored his third power-play goal of the weekend, which tied the game at 2-all after North Dakota jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Coatta now has six points, which is tied for the team lead with Marc Michaelis and Parker Tuomie, who was held off the score sheet for the first time this season.
3. Another buzzer beater: For the second Saturday in a row, the Mavericks beat the clock for a goal as the second period wound down. This time it was Marc Michaelis, who scored a short-handed breakaway with 0.4 seconds remaining to tie the game at 3-all. It was Michaelis' third goal of the season but the first that wasn't an empty-netter. The Mavericks weren't able to grab momentum from the goal and grab the lead in the third period, instead, giving up a goal, Cole Smith's second of the game.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Mercyhurst 3, Ferris State 1 ... St. Cloud State 5, Northern Michigan 0 ... Arizona State 5, Alabama Huntsville 1 ... Alaska 3, Denver 3 (OT)
1. First loss: The Mavericks are 3-1 after the first four games of the season, sweeping Boston University and splitting at North Dakota. That's probably a record most would be happy with after seeing those blue bloods on the schedule. "I’m proud of our group," coach Mike Hastings said. "We came into a pretty tough place and won a game and had an opportunity to do the same on Saturday." The Mavericks definitely could be 4-0 or 3-0-1. A rookie mistake by freshman goalie Dryden McKay with the puck behind the net led to the Fighting Hawks' game-winning goal.
2. Another Coatta: Max Coatta had a goal and an assist for a five-point weekend. He made a nice pass through traffic to set up freshman forward Julian Napravnik's first collegiate goal and later scored his third power-play goal of the weekend, which tied the game at 2-all after North Dakota jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Coatta now has six points, which is tied for the team lead with Marc Michaelis and Parker Tuomie, who was held off the score sheet for the first time this season.
3. Another buzzer beater: For the second Saturday in a row, the Mavericks beat the clock for a goal as the second period wound down. This time it was Marc Michaelis, who scored a short-handed breakaway with 0.4 seconds remaining to tie the game at 3-all. It was Michaelis' third goal of the season but the first that wasn't an empty-netter. The Mavericks weren't able to grab momentum from the goal and grab the lead in the third period, instead, giving up a goal, Cole Smith's second of the game.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Mercyhurst 3, Ferris State 1 ... St. Cloud State 5, Northern Michigan 0 ... Arizona State 5, Alabama Huntsville 1 ... Alaska 3, Denver 3 (OT)
Live: Minnesota State vs. North Dakota
The Mavericks will go for the series sweep against the Fighting Hawks, starting at 7:07 p.m. at Ralph Engelstad Arena. Follow along with the action below tonight's lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
20-Michaelis, 6-Tuomie, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 11-Spooner, 10-McMahan
22-Gerads, 26-French, 15-Napravnik
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
Scratches: Bigelbach, Duehr, Galambos, Schwalbe, Vanko
NORTH DAKOTA
29-Kawaguchi, 8-Jones, 18-Adams
25-Janatuinen, 22-Gardner, 9-Bowen
7-Yon, 14-Weatherby, 16-Mismash
27-Hoff, 19-Senden, 26-Smith
28-Shaw, 6-Poolman,
3-Kiersted, 24-Bernard-Docker
17-Tychonick, 2 Bast
21-Keane
31-Scheel
1-Thome
25-Anderson
***
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 11-Spooner, 10-McMahan
22-Gerads, 26-French, 15-Napravnik
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
Scratches: Bigelbach, Duehr, Galambos, Schwalbe, Vanko
NORTH DAKOTA
29-Kawaguchi, 8-Jones, 18-Adams
25-Janatuinen, 22-Gardner, 9-Bowen
7-Yon, 14-Weatherby, 16-Mismash
27-Hoff, 19-Senden, 26-Smith
28-Shaw, 6-Poolman,
3-Kiersted, 24-Bernard-Docker
17-Tychonick, 2 Bast
21-Keane
31-Scheel
1-Thome
25-Anderson
***
Friday, October 19, 2018
Mavericks 7, Fighting Hawks 4
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Another wild game: The Mavericks are 3-0, and all three victories were an adventure with the back-and-forth games last weekend in Mankato against Boston University and tonight's wild win in Grand Forks against North Dakota. Against the Fighting Hawks, Minnesota State was outshot 38-21 and gave up two power-play goals, but made more than enough plays, including two power-play goals of their own, to get another big nonconference victory. A four-goal second period all but put the game away, giving the Mavericks a 6-4 lead heading into the third (although they were up 6-3 before giving up a late one).
2. Making plays: Senior forward Max Coatta got the unlikely hat trick (read more about him in the link below), which included his first two career power-play goals, looking very much like a player who should have had more than 16 goals in his first three seasons. It was his second career hat trick. He also had one last November in an 8-6 victory at Bemidji State. Parker Tuomie continued his stellar pace to start the season, adding two goals (he now has four goals and six points in three games).
3. Streak buster: The victory was Minnesota State's first in Grand Forks since March 10, 2006, an overtime victory in Game 1 of a WCHA playoff series (Rob Rankin scored the game-winner). The Mavericks then went 0-11-1 in 12 games after that. Of course, Friday's game was also MSU's first at The Ralph since the final regular-season games of the 2011-12 season (Troy Jutting's last season as coach). North Dakota will look to break its own streak on Saturday, as it has started the season 0-2-1.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Ferris State 5, Mercyhurst 2 ... St. Cloud State 4, Northern Michigan 1 ... Arizona State 2, Alabama Huntsville 1 ... Denver 4, Alaska 1
1. Another wild game: The Mavericks are 3-0, and all three victories were an adventure with the back-and-forth games last weekend in Mankato against Boston University and tonight's wild win in Grand Forks against North Dakota. Against the Fighting Hawks, Minnesota State was outshot 38-21 and gave up two power-play goals, but made more than enough plays, including two power-play goals of their own, to get another big nonconference victory. A four-goal second period all but put the game away, giving the Mavericks a 6-4 lead heading into the third (although they were up 6-3 before giving up a late one).
2. Making plays: Senior forward Max Coatta got the unlikely hat trick (read more about him in the link below), which included his first two career power-play goals, looking very much like a player who should have had more than 16 goals in his first three seasons. It was his second career hat trick. He also had one last November in an 8-6 victory at Bemidji State. Parker Tuomie continued his stellar pace to start the season, adding two goals (he now has four goals and six points in three games).
3. Streak buster: The victory was Minnesota State's first in Grand Forks since March 10, 2006, an overtime victory in Game 1 of a WCHA playoff series (Rob Rankin scored the game-winner). The Mavericks then went 0-11-1 in 12 games after that. Of course, Friday's game was also MSU's first at The Ralph since the final regular-season games of the 2011-12 season (Troy Jutting's last season as coach). North Dakota will look to break its own streak on Saturday, as it has started the season 0-2-1.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Ferris State 5, Mercyhurst 2 ... St. Cloud State 4, Northern Michigan 1 ... Arizona State 2, Alabama Huntsville 1 ... Denver 4, Alaska 1
Live: Minnesota State at North Dakota
No. 7 Minnesota State and No. 16 North Dakota are renewing their old WCHA rivalry tonight at Ralph Engelstad Arena. The puck drops at 7:37 p.m. Follow along with the action on the live chat below tonight's lines.
MINNESOTA STATE
20-Michaelis, 6-Tuomie, 9-GerardMINNESOTA STATE
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 11-Spooner, 10-McMahan
22-Gerads, 26-French, 17-Duehr
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
Scratches: Bigelbach, Galambos, Napravnik, Schwalbe, Vanko
NORTH DAKOTA
29-Kawaguchi, 8-Jones, 16-Mismash
14-Weatherby, 22-Gardner, 18-Adams
25-Janatuinen, 27-Hoff, 9-Bowen
26-Smith, 19-Senden, 7-Yon
6-Poolman, 24-Bernard-Docker
28-Shaw, 2-Bast
3-Kiersted, 4-Peski
17-Tychonick
1-Thome
31-Scheel
25-Anderson
***
Friday Morning Skate
Minnesota State and North Dakota are meeting again at long last this weekend in Grand Forks. It will be their first games against each other since 2013 and their first at UND since 2012.
The series is part of a challenging nonconference schedule for the Mavericks, one that includes Boston University, Minnesota and Minnesota Duluth as well. But that's the kind of schedule MSU wants to have in order to progress as a program, coach Mike Hastings says.
The Mavericks also have put themselves in a position where they're no longer an underdog against these teams.
Read more about the series in the Freep's College Hockey Gameday.
As always, Brad Schlossman at the Grand Forks Herald has excellent coverage. Today, he takes a look at the Mavericks coaching staff, all of whom hail from that newspaper's coverage area: Section 8 country in northwest Minnesota. He also has a video preview of the weekend.
Earlier, Schloss did a a three-part series on the formation of the NCHC, the conference North Dakota left the WCHA for. Read Part I, Part II and Part III.
Going around the WCHA slate this weekend, MSU-UND won't be the only WCHA-NCHC matchup. There are three others ...
Northern Michigan goes to St. Cloud State for what should be another good, early season test for the Wildcats.
Alaska goes to Denver, a series in which the two coaching staffs have close ties.
On Tuesday, fast-starting Bowling Green will host Western Michigan to finish off a series that began with a BG win on Oct. 9 in Kalamazoo.
Other WCHA games this weekend include Ferris State hosts Mercyhurst, and Alabama Huntsville hosts Arizona State.
The series is part of a challenging nonconference schedule for the Mavericks, one that includes Boston University, Minnesota and Minnesota Duluth as well. But that's the kind of schedule MSU wants to have in order to progress as a program, coach Mike Hastings says.
The Mavericks also have put themselves in a position where they're no longer an underdog against these teams.
Read more about the series in the Freep's College Hockey Gameday.
As always, Brad Schlossman at the Grand Forks Herald has excellent coverage. Today, he takes a look at the Mavericks coaching staff, all of whom hail from that newspaper's coverage area: Section 8 country in northwest Minnesota. He also has a video preview of the weekend.
Earlier, Schloss did a a three-part series on the formation of the NCHC, the conference North Dakota left the WCHA for. Read Part I, Part II and Part III.
Going around the WCHA slate this weekend, MSU-UND won't be the only WCHA-NCHC matchup. There are three others ...
Northern Michigan goes to St. Cloud State for what should be another good, early season test for the Wildcats.
Alaska goes to Denver, a series in which the two coaching staffs have close ties.
On Tuesday, fast-starting Bowling Green will host Western Michigan to finish off a series that began with a BG win on Oct. 9 in Kalamazoo.
Other WCHA games this weekend include Ferris State hosts Mercyhurst, and Alabama Huntsville hosts Arizona State.
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Rankings rise and conference accolades
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| Photo by Jackson Forderer |
Meanwhile, the Mavericks got a couple of WCHA weekly awards after their two wins, with defenseman Riese Zmolek and goaltender Dryden McKay taking Defenseman of the Week and Rookie of the Week, respectively. Zmolek had a goal and two assists, blocked five shots and was plus-3 for the weekend. McKay stopped 49 of 55 shots and became the first freshman goalie to start and win in MSU's opening game since Ken Higert in 1984. You can read more about McKay's weekend here.
Finally, my Tuesday column can be found here. This week's topic: MSU's sweep was no upset, just a good early season test between two good teams.
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Mavericks 5, Terriers 3
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| Photo by Jackson Forderer |
1. Last-second Charlie: Most of my gamer (link below) focuses on the game-changing goal scored by junior forward Charlie Gerard, but here's a little more info. Gerard was put on the top line tonight after Walker Duehr was scratched (coach's decision), and he came through by finishing off an all-important play set up beautifully by Parker Tuomie and Marc Michaelis. "Playing with Parker and Marc, those two guys are crazy when they're on the ice." Gerard played just 14 games last season, but had a goal and an assist at BU early in the year. The hope for him, of course, is to stay locked in the lineup this year.
2. Good in goal: It was another impressive performance for freshman goaltender Dryden McKay, who turned away 28 of 31 shots and really weathered the storm in the second period when BU scored three times. Not a softie in the bunch. Coach Mike Hastings said the decision to go with the rookie again was due to his performance on Friday. "I think Dryden McKaty showed he was really up to the task tonight," Hastings said. "That’s a very good hockey team: (Shane) Bowers, Bobo Carpenter, Dante Fabbro. They’ve got a good group over there. I can see how they’re going to give opposing coaches some heartburn."
3. Command performance: Saturday's attendance was 4,802, and it was a lively crowd that included a lot of MSU hockey alumni as the program was celebrating the start of its 50th season. The current team delivered the second of two big victories against a very good, nationally ranked and well-known opponent and did it again in entertaining fashion. Minnesota State, which will rise in the rankings on Monday, sure looks like it's a good team again this year as it's been throughout the Hastings era, but these two wins, considering the opponent and he crowd, were two of the more impressive regular-season home wins the Mavericks have had over that time.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Northern Michigan 4, Michigan State 3, Bemidji State 1, North Dakota 1 (OT) ... Western Michigan 5, Ferris State 0 ... Minnesota Duluth 5, Michigan Tech 2 ... Denver 6, Alabama Huntsville 0 ... St. Cloud State at Alaska (late)
Live coverage: Mavericks vs. Terriers, Game 2
The Mavericks will go for the season-opening sweep tonight when they host the Terriers for the second night in a row at the Verizon Center. Minnesota State won Friday's game 4-3. For coverage of tonight's game, follow along on the live blog below tonight's lines.
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 15-Napravnik
23-Rivera, 11-Spooner, 12-Coatta
22-Gerads, 10-McMahan, 26 French
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
31-Berger
Scratches: Bigelbach, Duehr, Galambos, Schwalbe, Vanko
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 15-Napravnik
23-Rivera, 11-Spooner, 12-Coatta
22-Gerads, 10-McMahan, 26 French
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
31-Berger
Scratches: Bigelbach, Duehr, Galambos, Schwalbe, Vanko
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
16-Willman, 14-Carpenter, 12-Wise
9-Cockerill, 15-Bowers, 21-Harper,
28-Farabee, 3-Amonte, 11-Curry
20-Quercia, 19-DeBoer, 10-Chabot
13-Cheremeta
4-Farrance, 17-Fabbro
33-Blixt, 5-Crotty
26-Kotkansalo, 2-Switzer
30-Oettinger
31-Prawdzik
1-Lynch
9-Cockerill, 15-Bowers, 21-Harper,
28-Farabee, 3-Amonte, 11-Curry
20-Quercia, 19-DeBoer, 10-Chabot
13-Cheremeta
33-Blixt, 5-Crotty
26-Kotkansalo, 2-Switzer
30-Oettinger
31-Prawdzik
1-Lynch
Friday, October 12, 2018
Mavericks 4, Terriers 3
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| Photo by Jackson Forderer |
1. Big night: After Minnesota State went to Boston early last season and swept, there was some fear that Boston University was going get some revenge on the Mavericks in this season's opener. BU got a goal in the final seconds of the first period and grabbed leads of 2-1 and 3-2 midway through the second, but the Mavericks gave up little from that point on, eventually tying the game late in the middle frame and going ahead again in the third on Dallas Gerads' second goal of the game. "Our leadership group, Nick Rivera, does a real good job in the locker room and on the bench of keeping things 20-20, focusing on the things we still have in front of us instead of things that have gone by," Hastings said. "I thought everybody just followed that lead. I thought he calmed us down a little bit, and we found a way to weather that storm and get it back to even."
2. Impressive debut: Freshman goaltender Dryden McKay got the start and looked the part all night long — especially in the first period when he stopped 12 of 13 shots, including a breakaway. Looking back at my time covering MSU (starting in 2000-01), I can't recall a freshman goalie starting the first game of the season for the Mavericks. Time to go back further in the archives, I suppose. “I was excited about the opportunity for sure," said McKay, who finished with 21 saves. "It was a goal of mine to be the starter and be the guy who plays the first game. But it’s just another hockey game. I try not to put too much pressure on myself and just go out and play."
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Bemidji State 2, North Dakota 1 ... Michigan State 4, Northern Michigan 2 ... Robert Morris 3, Bowling Green 2 ... Western Michigan 4, Ferris State 3 ... Minnesota Duluth 2, Michigan Tech 1 ... Colorado College 1, Alabama Huntsville 0 ... St. Cloud State 3, Alaska 2
Live: Mavericks vs. Terriers
It's a matchup of top-20 teams to start the season as the No. 11 Mavericks host the No. 8 Terriers at the Verizon Center. Follow along with the action right below tonight's lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 17-Duehr
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 15-Napravnik
23-Rivera, 11-Spooner, 12-Coatta
22-Gerads, 26-French, 9-Gerard
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
31-Berger
Scratches: Bigelbach, Galambos, McMahan, Schwalbe, Vanko
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 15-Napravnik
23-Rivera, 11-Spooner, 12-Coatta
22-Gerads, 26-French, 9-Gerard
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
31-Berger
Scratches: Bigelbach, Galambos, McMahan, Schwalbe, Vanko
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
28-Farabee, 15-Bowers, 21-Harper
16-Willman, 14-Carpenter, 13-Cheremeta
9-Cockerill, 12-Wise, 11-Curry
20-Quercia, 8-Cloonan, 10-Chabot
22-Witkowski
4-Farrance, 17-Fabbro
26-Kotkansalo, 5-Crotty
33-Blixt, 2-Switzer
30-Oettinger
31-Prawdzik
1-Lynch
16-Willman, 14-Carpenter, 13-Cheremeta
9-Cockerill, 12-Wise, 11-Curry
20-Quercia, 8-Cloonan, 10-Chabot
22-Witkowski
4-Farrance, 17-Fabbro
26-Kotkansalo, 5-Crotty
33-Blixt, 2-Switzer
30-Oettinger
31-Prawdzik
1-Lynch
Friday Morning Skate
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| Photo by Jackson Forderer |
The Mavericks are not very senior-heavy at all, but one fourth-year player, Max Coatta, is back as captain, sharing duties with juniors Nick Rivera and Marc Michaelis. Interesting thing about Coatta is his grandpa coached the MSU football team in the 1970s, and his dad was an outstanding athlete at Mankato East High School, going into the school's athletics hall of fame in 2003. Pictured is his entry on the East display.
For more on the Mavericks-Terriers series, check out the college hockey gameday feature.
For BU, tonight's game marks the regular-season coaching debut of coach Albie O'Connell, who took over for David Quinn, now with the New York Rangers.
Several WCHA teams kicked off the season last weekend, going 5-5-0 in nonconfernece play, which you can read about in Thursday's college hockey notebook. As for this weekend, there are some other good matchups taking place:
Bemidji State and North Dakota are playing home and home. The MSU folks will be paying attention to this one, as the Mavericks go to UND next weekend. Both teams will be breaking in new No. 1 goalies. It's good that the Fighting Hawks and Beavers have continued to play nonconference since the old WCHA broke up and that North Dakota will be renewing its rivalry with MSU next week. The Grand Forks Herald's Brad Schlossman began a three-part series on the formation of the NCHC this week. Part 1 is a good read.
In other WCHA-NCHC matchups, Michigan Tech will host defending national champion Minnesota Duluth, Ferris State will play Western Michigan in a home-and-home series, Alabama Huntsville will go to Colorado College and Alaska will host St. Cloud State.
In WCHA-Big Ten action, Northern Michigan will begin a season of high expectations by going downstate to Michigan State.
Bowling Green got off to a great start last week, winning two games, and will play two more this weekend against Robert Morris.
Monday, October 8, 2018
Mavericks ranked 11th
Minnesota State slipped a spot in both national polls, falling from 10th to 11th despite an exhibition victory. The reason? Voters moved Minnesota into the top 10 after the Gophers tied at Minnesota Duluth on Saturday and beat the Bulldogs 7-4 on Sunday in Minneapolis. It's early, of course, and only a handful of teams have played real games, so, for what it's worth, here is this week USCHO polls (the USA Today/USA Hockey rankings can be found here):
USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll Minneapolis, Minn./October 08, 2018 Team (First Place) Record Pts Last Week 1 Ohio State (18) 0- 0-0 916 3 2 Notre Dame (12) 0- 0-0 852 2 3 Minnesota Duluth ( 8) 0- 1-1 836 1 4 Providence ( 3) 1- 0-0 827 5 5 St. Cloud State ( 4) 0- 0-0 773 6 6 Minnesota ( 3) 1- 0-1 729 13 7 Cornell 0- 0-0 675 7 8 Boston University 0- 0-0 630 8 9 Michigan 0- 1-0 584 4 10 Denver 0- 0-0 519 9 11 Minnesota State 0- 0-0 498 10 12 Boston College ( 2) 0- 0-0 481 12 13 North Dakota 0- 0-0 462 11 14 Princeton 0- 0-0 340 14 15 Northeastern 0- 0-0 299 15 16 Penn State 0- 0-0 230 16 17 Clarkson 0- 0-0 222 17 18 Western Michigan 0- 0-0 140 19 19 Michigan Tech 0- 0-0 97 18 20 Bowling Green 1- 0-0 86 NR Others receiving votes: Northern Michigan 70, Union 65, Air Force 29, Vermont 21, Harvard 16, Massachusetts 15, Wisconsin 15, Miami 14, Maine 13, UMass Lowell 13, Omaha 10, Canisius 6, Colorado College 2, Lake Superior 2, Brown 1.
Sunday, October 7, 2018
Special section stories
Here are links to the stories:
Mavericks turn page to new season after NCAA heartbreak (includes look at this season's schedule)
Forwards preview: Michaelis, Jaremko are centers of attention
Defensemen preview: Brickley is gone but D is still strength of team
Goaltenders preview: Position is one of mystery for Mavericks
WCHA preview: League looks to be crowded at the top
Saturday, October 6, 2018
Mavericks 7, Cougars 3 (exhibition)
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| Photo by Jackson Forderer |
1. Good start: The Mavericks scored twice in the game's first minute and continued to have a good showing against Mount Royal. Sure, there is plenty to work on between now and when Boston University comes to town on Friday, but there were plenty of positives, including the play of some of the usual suspects like Jake Jaremko, Marc Michaelis, Parker Tuomie and Ian Scheid (pictured). Jaremko had a goal and two assists, and the others had two-point games. "There was a lot of stuff to be proud of," Jaremko said.
2. Welcome newbies: Since it was an exhibition, everybody got to dress, and the Mavericks' freshmen got to experience their first game action. Forward Julian Napravnik scored a goal, while defensemen Wyatt Aamodt, Andy Carroll and Zak Galambos all looked solid. "I liked our back end," Hastings said of the D-corps. "We had some guys grow throughout the game. I thought I saw Carroll get better and better as the game went on, Galambos doing the same thing. Hopefully they’ll take some confidence out of this."
3. Eyes on the goalies: Each of MSU's three new goaltenders played a period with freshman Dryden McKay getting the start. McKay stopped all six shots he faced in the first period. Grad-transfer Mathias Israelsson allowed one goal and was credited with three saves. That number seems a tad low, but if it's right, all three were high-quality stops. Freshman Jacob Berger finished up and stopped five of seven. Is that the pecking order? My guess, as you can read about in Sunday's preview section, is the competition remains wide open.
Deep thought; How about those uniforms tonight? After years of criticism from me about the Mavericks using black as a primary color, I would be remiss if I didn't praise the gold-and-purple kits Minnesota State is donning at home this season. They looked good on the ice and in photographs. What's also great is being able to see the players' numbers. Well done.
Read my gamer here. Also, be sure to pick up a print copy of Sunday's Free Press with our special section previewing the Mavericks' season (those stories should be online later Sunday, too).
Around the WCHA: Lake Superior State 5, Merrimack 4 ... Bowling Green 8, Mercyhurst 2 ... Miami 5, Alabama Huntsville 1 ... Ferris State 3, U.S. Under-18 1 (ex.) ... Bemidji State 5, Lakehead 1 (ex.) ... Alaska at Arizona State (late) ... Colorado College at Alaska Anchorage (late)
P.S. No video tonight. I'll try to get that going next week for the regular season!
Captains named ... Game on!
No big surprises there. Rivera's potential leadership skills were touted from the time he was a freshman, and Michaelis should be one of the offensive leaders. Also, talking to Michaelis recently (check out stories in Sunday's special section), he's clearly matured into his role as an upperclassman.
At the time of this post, Minnesota State is 20 minutes away from playing its exhibition game to open the season against Mount Royal. No live blog tonight, but there will be tweeting. Check back on the blog later for a link to my game story, as well as Freddy's Three Thoughts of the Game!
Friday, October 5, 2018
Special section coming
Finally, the regular sports section that day will have coverage of Saturday night's exhibition game against Mount Royal, so the newspaper will be chock full of stories.
Nothing wrong with buying a newspaper!
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Three Mavs in NHL (three more to come?)
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| The Associated Press |
The National Hockey League season opens on Wednesday, and three former Minnesota State players are on opening-night rosters, according to the league’s website.
David Backes is beginning his 13th season in the league and his third with the Boston Bruins. The 34-year-old forward played in 57 games last season, compiling 33 points, including 14 goals. Going into the season, he’s played in 858 games with 531 points, including 237 goals. He played at Minnesota State from 2003 to 2006. In an article in the Boston Globe on Tuesday, Backes said he's in a good place right now.
Tyler Pitlick (pictured) is in his fifth NHL season. Last year was his first with the Dallas Stars — and his first fully healthy year. The forward had career highs in games played (80), goals (14), assists (13) and points (27). Pitlick played one season for the Mavericks, 2009-10.
Casey Nelson played a bit in two seasons with the Buffalo Sabres and then closed this third strong, playing in 37 games. The defenseman had eight points, including three goals in that span. Nelson, who played for MSU from 2013 to 2016, is doing in Buffalo what he did in Mankato: becoming a strong, steady presence for his team.
Three former MSU players with some NHL promise were sent to their teams’ American Hockey League affiliates prior to the start of the season.
Defenseman Daniel Brickley, who made his NHL debut with the Los Angeles Kings last season after leaving school, will begin the season with the Ontario Reign. On Sept. 23, Brickley played in a preseason game for the Kings in his home state of Utah.
Forward C.J. Suess, who graduated from MSU last spring will begin the season with the Manitoba Moose despite turning heads during training camp with the Winnipeg Jets. He finished last season with the Moose after signing with the Jets, the team that drafted him in the fifth round in 2014.
Teddy Blueger, a forward who played for the Mavericks from 2012 to 2016, reportedly had a strong training camp with the Pittsburgh Penguins but was assigned to the minors in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Blueger was called up to Pittsburgh last season but never got in a game.
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