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