Freddy's three thoughts from afar ...
1. Breakout performance: Sophomore forward Walker Duehr, who's played sparingly in a season-plus, made his shot count on Friday, scoring two first-period goals to help the Mavericks build a 3-0 lead and avoid back-to-back losses. The goals were the first two of the season for the Sioux Falls native and the third and fourth of his career. Connor Mackey and Marc Michaelis had the other goals for the the Mavericks. Dryden McKay, starting for the first time since Oct. 20 (although he did play most of last Saturday's game in relief) stopped 16 shots.
2. Lineup shuffle: Duehr was in the lineup for the first time in five games, as coach Mike Hastings made some lineup changes. Alec Vanko got in for the first time in two seasons, too, while Reggie Lutz took a break after his slow start to the year. While the Mavericks' red-hot top line stayed the same, the second group included Jake Jaremko with Nick Rivera Max Coatta, the third line consisted of Jared Spooner with Julian Napravnik (the lefty moved from right wing to left) and Duehr, and the fourth line was made of Josh French (back in the middle) with Dallas Gerads and Vanko.
3. Play 60: You can read some of Hastings' comments in the story linked below, but he did point out that his team still needs to play a full game. The Mavericks started strong with the 3-0 first period, and things evened out in the second period. In the third, though, they took two penalties and gave up a power-play goal that turned a 4-1 game into a 4-2 one late. The win did guarantee at least a split in the series, but the Mavericks should expect a push on Saturday as Lake Superior State has not been swept this season.
Read my writeup here.
Around the WCHA: Michigan Tech 3, Bemidji State 3 (MTU wins in 3x3 OT) ... Alaska 4, Ferris State 3, OT
Friday, November 30, 2018
Friday Morning Skate
The No. 4 Mavericks are on the road for the second straight week and face a tough challenge in No. 20 Lake Superior State. Minnesota State, coming off a split at Bemidji State, will try avoiding two losses in a row tonight, as, perhaps, their last game illustrated a few areas they need to clean up in order to keep improving as a team.
For more on the series, check out the College Hockey Gameday feature.
No big MSU men's feature this week, but I did write about the MSU women's team's Ms. Versatility, Tristen Truax, who has played (or at least dressed at) all three positions in her short college career. The Mavericks will host Ohio State Saturday and Sunday at the Verizon Center.
Going around the WCHA ...
Bemidji State at Michigan Tech: The Beavers will try to do what they did last week against the Mavs and hand the Huskies their first league loss of the year. Tech is coming off an emotional weekend at home against Alaska.
Ferris State at Alaska: The Bulldogs were off last weekend after getting swept in Mankato and look to break a four-game losing streak, while the Nanooks must be glad to be back at home for just the third times this season.
Bowling Green at Alabama Huntsville: The Falcons and Chargers will meet for a Saturday-Sunday series, each getting an extra day off even after being idle last weekend.
Northern Michigan is off but played Notre Dame on Tuesday, falling 2-1 in overtime on the road. Alaska Anchorage is also idle, although, Jack Hittinger featured the Seawolves this week on USCHO.
For more on the series, check out the College Hockey Gameday feature.
No big MSU men's feature this week, but I did write about the MSU women's team's Ms. Versatility, Tristen Truax, who has played (or at least dressed at) all three positions in her short college career. The Mavericks will host Ohio State Saturday and Sunday at the Verizon Center.
Going around the WCHA ...
Bemidji State at Michigan Tech: The Beavers will try to do what they did last week against the Mavs and hand the Huskies their first league loss of the year. Tech is coming off an emotional weekend at home against Alaska.
Ferris State at Alaska: The Bulldogs were off last weekend after getting swept in Mankato and look to break a four-game losing streak, while the Nanooks must be glad to be back at home for just the third times this season.
Bowling Green at Alabama Huntsville: The Falcons and Chargers will meet for a Saturday-Sunday series, each getting an extra day off even after being idle last weekend.
Northern Michigan is off but played Notre Dame on Tuesday, falling 2-1 in overtime on the road. Alaska Anchorage is also idle, although, Jack Hittinger featured the Seawolves this week on USCHO.
Saturday, November 24, 2018
Beavers 4, Mavericks 2
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Tough start: As well as Mathias Israelsson played on Friday night, the two goals he gave up were, perhaps, a bit concerning. Still, having backstopped a seven-game winning streak, he started again Saturday. It wasn't his night, though, as he allowed two goals on five shots over the first 5:50. Both looked rather savable (easy for me to say), and coach Mike Hastings opted to give him the quick hook, putting in Dryden McKay for the first time since Oct. 20. McKay played well as the Mavericks tried to come back from the early deficit, but ended up as the losing goalie despite allowing one goal on 31 shots.
2. Big hole: You never want to get behind against the Beavers. Bemidji State simply makes it tough for opponents when it has a lead to protect, which it got just 53 seconds into the game. And a two-goal deficit sure can feel like five. Minnesota State was outshot 37-21, and its two goals came on the power play with Edwin Hookenson and Charlie Gerard scoring. “They pressure us as hard, if not harder, than any team we play,” Hookenson said. “They don’t give us any time. Their forecheck makes it hard on us.”
3. Streak(s) stopped: The Mavericks' winning streak was snapped at seven, so they are now 10-2-0 (5-1-0 in WCHA). The Beavers also broke a streak, as they came into the game having lost four in a row. Julian Napravnik, who had a great scoring chance stopped by goalie Zach Driscoll with about 4 1/2 minutes remaining, had his eight-game point streak stopped as well.“Adversity is something you need to deal with,” Hastings said. “We haven’t dealt with a lot of it. I didn’t think we went away. I didn’t think there was a quit or a give-up. We kept getting close. But I think Bemidji got the result they deserved tonight and so did we.”
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Northern Michigan 2, Lake Superior State 1 ... Michigan Tech 7, Alaska 2 ... North Dakota 4, Alaska Anchorage 3
1. Tough start: As well as Mathias Israelsson played on Friday night, the two goals he gave up were, perhaps, a bit concerning. Still, having backstopped a seven-game winning streak, he started again Saturday. It wasn't his night, though, as he allowed two goals on five shots over the first 5:50. Both looked rather savable (easy for me to say), and coach Mike Hastings opted to give him the quick hook, putting in Dryden McKay for the first time since Oct. 20. McKay played well as the Mavericks tried to come back from the early deficit, but ended up as the losing goalie despite allowing one goal on 31 shots.
2. Big hole: You never want to get behind against the Beavers. Bemidji State simply makes it tough for opponents when it has a lead to protect, which it got just 53 seconds into the game. And a two-goal deficit sure can feel like five. Minnesota State was outshot 37-21, and its two goals came on the power play with Edwin Hookenson and Charlie Gerard scoring. “They pressure us as hard, if not harder, than any team we play,” Hookenson said. “They don’t give us any time. Their forecheck makes it hard on us.”
3. Streak(s) stopped: The Mavericks' winning streak was snapped at seven, so they are now 10-2-0 (5-1-0 in WCHA). The Beavers also broke a streak, as they came into the game having lost four in a row. Julian Napravnik, who had a great scoring chance stopped by goalie Zach Driscoll with about 4 1/2 minutes remaining, had his eight-game point streak stopped as well.“Adversity is something you need to deal with,” Hastings said. “We haven’t dealt with a lot of it. I didn’t think we went away. I didn’t think there was a quit or a give-up. We kept getting close. But I think Bemidji got the result they deserved tonight and so did we.”
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Northern Michigan 2, Lake Superior State 1 ... Michigan Tech 7, Alaska 2 ... North Dakota 4, Alaska Anchorage 3
Live: Minnesota State at Bemidji State
The No. 3 Mavericks look to win their eighth straight game and sweep the weekend series, while the Beavers hope to snap a four-game losing streak. The puck drops at 7:07 p.m. 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
22-Gerads, 10-McMahan, 26-French
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt, 18-Scheid
13-Galambos
32-Israelsson
29-McKay
Scratches: Berger, Bigelbach, Carroll, Duehr, Schwalbe, Vanko
BEMIDJI STATE
19-Brady, 12-Sillinger, 11-Combs
9-Somoza, 17-Armour, 26-Cardelli
6-Dickman, 28-Brown-Maloski, 16-Miller
13-Soucier, 27-Kirkup, 25-Adams
20-Eichstadt, 2-Billett
29-Baudry, 18-B. Johnson
15-Jubenvill, 8-Gula
5-Janco
33-Driscoll
35-Johnson
30-Burgart
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 11-Spooner, 15-Napravnik
22-Gerads, 10-McMahan, 26-French
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt, 18-Scheid
13-Galambos
32-Israelsson
29-McKay
Scratches: Berger, Bigelbach, Carroll, Duehr, Schwalbe, Vanko
BEMIDJI STATE
19-Brady, 12-Sillinger, 11-Combs
9-Somoza, 17-Armour, 26-Cardelli
6-Dickman, 28-Brown-Maloski, 16-Miller
13-Soucier, 27-Kirkup, 25-Adams
20-Eichstadt, 2-Billett
29-Baudry, 18-B. Johnson
15-Jubenvill, 8-Gula
5-Janco
33-Driscoll
35-Johnson
30-Burgart
***
Friday, November 23, 2018
Mavericks 3, Beavers 2
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Tough road: Friday's game was a great way to start a stretch of games in which the Mavericks will play six of their next eight WCHA games on the road. Playing the Beavers at Bemidji is never easy, and that was the case on Friday. Mathias Israelsson's 11 saves in the first period and eight during the penalty kill allowed his team to build a 2-0 lead after a scoreless first period and then break a 2-2 tie late on Marc Michaelis' power play goal with 4:15 remaining. "We talked about the week. Coming here, it’s hard," coach Mike Hastings said. "Glad we got away with the first one."
2. French dressing: Ask Hastings about Josh French, and he won't worry about the lack of goals. The junior forward kills penalties, defends and is good in the faceoff circle. On Friday, French scored his second goal of his career. It came in Game 82 for him. You can read a little more from French in my gamer (linked below), but here's more from Hastings: "Really important goal. And he’s been playing well. … He can impact our team even though he’s not scoring a lot, killing penalties, tonight scoring a big goal. Thats what you need from your upperclassmen."
3. Confusing finish: Max Coatta could have two empty-net goals added to his total this season, but apparently they're hard to score. He was slashed going to the goal against Alaska, and although a penalty was called, the goal was not awarded (probably should have been). On Friday, he scored in the empty net for a 4-2 lead, but the officials went to review the goal and determined MSU had too many players on the ice. They also added time on the clock. Very strange. Not sure if it was an automatic review or if Bemidji State challenged the call. Either way, the least the officials could do is have the rink announcer let us know what the heck is happening. It made for a wild, albeit confusing, finish.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Lake Superior State 4, Northern Michigan 2 ... Michigan Tech 2, Alaska 1 ... North Dakota 5, Alaska Anchorage 2
1. Tough road: Friday's game was a great way to start a stretch of games in which the Mavericks will play six of their next eight WCHA games on the road. Playing the Beavers at Bemidji is never easy, and that was the case on Friday. Mathias Israelsson's 11 saves in the first period and eight during the penalty kill allowed his team to build a 2-0 lead after a scoreless first period and then break a 2-2 tie late on Marc Michaelis' power play goal with 4:15 remaining. "We talked about the week. Coming here, it’s hard," coach Mike Hastings said. "Glad we got away with the first one."
2. French dressing: Ask Hastings about Josh French, and he won't worry about the lack of goals. The junior forward kills penalties, defends and is good in the faceoff circle. On Friday, French scored his second goal of his career. It came in Game 82 for him. You can read a little more from French in my gamer (linked below), but here's more from Hastings: "Really important goal. And he’s been playing well. … He can impact our team even though he’s not scoring a lot, killing penalties, tonight scoring a big goal. Thats what you need from your upperclassmen."
3. Confusing finish: Max Coatta could have two empty-net goals added to his total this season, but apparently they're hard to score. He was slashed going to the goal against Alaska, and although a penalty was called, the goal was not awarded (probably should have been). On Friday, he scored in the empty net for a 4-2 lead, but the officials went to review the goal and determined MSU had too many players on the ice. They also added time on the clock. Very strange. Not sure if it was an automatic review or if Bemidji State challenged the call. Either way, the least the officials could do is have the rink announcer let us know what the heck is happening. It made for a wild, albeit confusing, finish.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Lake Superior State 4, Northern Michigan 2 ... Michigan Tech 2, Alaska 1 ... North Dakota 5, Alaska Anchorage 2
Live: Minnesota State at Bemidji State
No. 3 Minnesota State is on the road for a WCHA series for the first time this season and will take on in-state rival Bemidji State at the Sanford 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
22-Gerads, 10-McMahan, 26-French
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt, 18-Scheid
13-Galambos
32-Israelsson
29-McKay
Scratches: Berger, Bigelbach, Carroll, Duehr, Schwalbe, Vanko
BEMIDJI STATE
6-Dickman, 21-Harris, 11-Combs
19-Brady, 12-Sillinger, 16-Miller
9-Somoza, 17-Armour, 26-Cardelli
13-Soucier, 28-Brown-Maloski, 14-Ierullo
20-Eichstadt, 2-Billett
29-Baudry, 18-B. Johnson
15-Jubenvill, 22-Vold
5-Janco
35-Johnson
33-Driscoll
30-Burgart
***
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 11-Spooner, 15-Napravnik
22-Gerads, 10-McMahan, 26-French
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt, 18-Scheid
13-Galambos
32-Israelsson
29-McKay
Scratches: Berger, Bigelbach, Carroll, Duehr, Schwalbe, Vanko
BEMIDJI STATE
6-Dickman, 21-Harris, 11-Combs
19-Brady, 12-Sillinger, 16-Miller
9-Somoza, 17-Armour, 26-Cardelli
13-Soucier, 28-Brown-Maloski, 14-Ierullo
20-Eichstadt, 2-Billett
29-Baudry, 18-B. Johnson
15-Jubenvill, 22-Vold
5-Janco
35-Johnson
33-Driscoll
30-Burgart
***
Black Friday Morning Skate
Getting ready to hit the road to Bemidji for this weekends intra-state rivalry series between the No. 3 Mavericks and the Beavers.
If Mathias Israelsson starts in goal tonight for MSU (which seems likely but is not guaranteed), it will be his seventh consecutive start, a first for for the graduate transfer from Northern Michigan, who has finally found a home at Minnesota State.
This is the first weekend of a tough stretch for the Mavericks, who must go on the road for three of the next four conference series.
For more on the series, read the Freep's College Hockey Gameday.
The Bemidji Pioneer also takes a look at the series.
Going around the rest of the WCHA ...
Northern Michigan at Lake Superior State: These are two teams starting off opposite of what was predicted at the beginning of the season. The Wildcats hope they got thing headed back in the right direction after sweeping Alaska Anchorage this weekend, while the No. 20 Lakers are ranked for the first time in two years. NMU also plays at Notre Dame on Tuesday.
Alaska at Michigan Tech: After playing eight consecutive games on the road (and going 5-3-0), the Huskies are back home to face the Nanooks. Alaska played six in a row on the road before going home to Fairbanks last week. Now, it's traveling again to Houghton.
Alaska Anchorage at North Dakota: Speaking of long road trips, the Seawolves, who have just one win, are in the midst of a 10-game road swing. This weekend's set against the Fighting Hawks could be a rather low-scoring affair, based on what the two teams have done so far.
If Mathias Israelsson starts in goal tonight for MSU (which seems likely but is not guaranteed), it will be his seventh consecutive start, a first for for the graduate transfer from Northern Michigan, who has finally found a home at Minnesota State.
This is the first weekend of a tough stretch for the Mavericks, who must go on the road for three of the next four conference series.
For more on the series, read the Freep's College Hockey Gameday.
The Bemidji Pioneer also takes a look at the series.
Going around the rest of the WCHA ...
Northern Michigan at Lake Superior State: These are two teams starting off opposite of what was predicted at the beginning of the season. The Wildcats hope they got thing headed back in the right direction after sweeping Alaska Anchorage this weekend, while the No. 20 Lakers are ranked for the first time in two years. NMU also plays at Notre Dame on Tuesday.
Alaska at Michigan Tech: After playing eight consecutive games on the road (and going 5-3-0), the Huskies are back home to face the Nanooks. Alaska played six in a row on the road before going home to Fairbanks last week. Now, it's traveling again to Houghton.
Alaska Anchorage at North Dakota: Speaking of long road trips, the Seawolves, who have just one win, are in the midst of a 10-game road swing. This weekend's set against the Fighting Hawks could be a rather low-scoring affair, based on what the two teams have done so far.
Monday, November 19, 2018
Mavs stand pat at No. 3
Minnesota State remained No. 3 in the latest USCHO poll this week. Some might have thought the Mavericks would rise a spot, but it's hard to drop previous No. 1 Minnesota Duluth down too far after its split at Denver. St. Cloud State is still No. 1.
As for other WCHA teams, Bowling Green fell two spots to No. 12 after its home split against Lake Superior State, while the Lakers, thanks to that outcome, are now in the top 20 at No. 20. Bemidji State and Michigan Tech are receiving votes.
Update: the Mavericks also stayed third in the USA Today/USA Hockey rankings.
Update: the Mavericks also stayed third in the USA Today/USA Hockey rankings.
USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll Minneapolis, Minn./November 19, 2018 Team (First Place) Record Pts Last Week 1 St. Cloud State (38) 11- 1-0 985 2 2 Minnesota Duluth ( 7) 9- 2-1 920 1 3 Minnesota State ( 3) 9- 1-0 918 3 4 Massachusetts ( 2) 10- 1-0 860 4 5 Ohio State 8- 3-1 763 6 6 Penn State 9- 2-0 695 5 7 Denver 6- 3-1 693 7 8 Notre Dame 7- 4-1 655 8 9 Providence 7- 3-1 639 9 10 Quinnipiac 9- 2-0 486 14 11 Union 7- 3-1 474 12 12 Bowling Green 8- 3-2 469 10 13 Northeastern 7- 3-1 447 13 14 Michigan 6- 5-0 293 16 15 Cornell 5- 3-0 251 17 16 Arizona State 10- 4-0 230 18 17 North Dakota 5- 5-1 206 11 18 Princeton 3- 3-1 169 15 19 Miami 9- 5-0 128 20 20 Lake Superior 6- 3-1 78 NR Others receiving votes: Clarkson 32, Western Michigan 27, Bemidji State 25, Minnesota 24, RIT 17, UMass Lowell 9, Boston University 3, Michigan Tech 2, Dartmouth 1, Mercyhurst 1.
Saturday, November 17, 2018
Mavericks 5, Bulldogs 2
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. No. 1 line of the night: On a night when the top group of Michaelis-Tuomie-Gerard was kept off the board, the group of Spooner-Rivera-Napravnik came through with one of their best performances. Spooner, as you can read about in my gamer (link below) was exceptional, especially on one particular goal. The trio accounted for three goals and three assists for the game and five goals and five assists for the weekend. "I just think we're starting to build chemistry," Spooner said. "Rivera has been hard, and Julian has been a playmaker. It's just a very good combination. We complement each other well."
2. Israelsson needed: Didn't touch on this too much in the gamer, but coach Mike Hastings brought up the play of Mathias Israelsson, who had one of his busiest nights as a Maverick. He stopped 24 shots, nine in the second period for his and the team's sixth win in a row. "I thought he stood real tall, did a great job, controlled rebounds and made a couple that he shouldn’t have and allowed us to build on a lead," Hastings said. Tonight was the first night in MSU's win streak that it's given up more than one goal, but Ferris State was better than on Friday and had a few possessions where it had the Mavericks chasing in their own end until "Izzy" calmed things down.
3. Grind it out: It seemed like there weren't going to be any penalties called in the game, which was odd considering that it was a pretty tight-checking, physical game. The first penalty was finally called at 7:29 of the third period, and Max Coatta scored on the ensuing power play for a 4-2 lead. "Josh French was a little bit of an unsung hero," Hastings said. "He drives wide and creates the power play opportunity (drawing a penalty). And then that group went in and executed." The Mavericks were called for two penalties, both in the final 5:22, and killed them both off to preserve the win.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Clarkson 3, Michigan Tech 1 ... Northern Michigan 2, Alaska Anchorage 1 ... St. Cloud State 7, Bemidji State 4 ... Bowling Green 5, Lake Superior State 2 ... Alabama Huntsville at Alaska (late)
1. No. 1 line of the night: On a night when the top group of Michaelis-Tuomie-Gerard was kept off the board, the group of Spooner-Rivera-Napravnik came through with one of their best performances. Spooner, as you can read about in my gamer (link below) was exceptional, especially on one particular goal. The trio accounted for three goals and three assists for the game and five goals and five assists for the weekend. "I just think we're starting to build chemistry," Spooner said. "Rivera has been hard, and Julian has been a playmaker. It's just a very good combination. We complement each other well."
2. Israelsson needed: Didn't touch on this too much in the gamer, but coach Mike Hastings brought up the play of Mathias Israelsson, who had one of his busiest nights as a Maverick. He stopped 24 shots, nine in the second period for his and the team's sixth win in a row. "I thought he stood real tall, did a great job, controlled rebounds and made a couple that he shouldn’t have and allowed us to build on a lead," Hastings said. Tonight was the first night in MSU's win streak that it's given up more than one goal, but Ferris State was better than on Friday and had a few possessions where it had the Mavericks chasing in their own end until "Izzy" calmed things down.
3. Grind it out: It seemed like there weren't going to be any penalties called in the game, which was odd considering that it was a pretty tight-checking, physical game. The first penalty was finally called at 7:29 of the third period, and Max Coatta scored on the ensuing power play for a 4-2 lead. "Josh French was a little bit of an unsung hero," Hastings said. "He drives wide and creates the power play opportunity (drawing a penalty). And then that group went in and executed." The Mavericks were called for two penalties, both in the final 5:22, and killed them both off to preserve the win.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Clarkson 3, Michigan Tech 1 ... Northern Michigan 2, Alaska Anchorage 1 ... St. Cloud State 7, Bemidji State 4 ... Bowling Green 5, Lake Superior State 2 ... Alabama Huntsville at Alaska (late)
Live: Minnesota State vs. Ferris State
Follow along with all the action between the No. 3 Mavericks and visiting Bulldogs on the live blog below tonight's lines.
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 11-Spooner, 15-Napravnik
22-Gerads, 10-McMahan, 26-French
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt, 18-Scheid
13-Galambos
32-Israelsson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Bigelbach, Carroll, Duehr, Schwalbe, Vanko
FERRIS STATE
21-Macken, 15-Transit, 17-Moise
10-Norris, 18-Wendt, 20-MacDougall
28-Hetz, 22-Tackett, 8-Melton
19-Andren, 12-Recktenwald, 6-Fernsler
25-Zech, 23-Kallen
26-Rutkowski, 4-Yoder
5-Smith, 3-Clarke
27-Tierney
30-Salmenkangas
31-Barber
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 11-Spooner, 15-Napravnik
22-Gerads, 10-McMahan, 26-French
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt, 18-Scheid
13-Galambos
32-Israelsson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Bigelbach, Carroll, Duehr, Schwalbe, Vanko
FERRIS STATE
21-Macken, 15-Transit, 17-Moise
10-Norris, 18-Wendt, 20-MacDougall
28-Hetz, 22-Tackett, 8-Melton
19-Andren, 12-Recktenwald, 6-Fernsler
25-Zech, 23-Kallen
26-Rutkowski, 4-Yoder
5-Smith, 3-Clarke
27-Tierney
30-Salmenkangas
31-Barber
***
Friday, November 16, 2018
Mavericks 7, Bulldogs 1
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Great start: Sometimes it takes a little time to shake off the rust after a bye week. That wasn't the case on Friday for the Mavericks. They scored three first-period goals, outshooting Ferris State 14-5 in the process. The first of two goals by Marc Michaelis just 40 seconds into the second period put the home team up 4-0, and the game was never in doubt after that. "As the (first) period went on we kept getting better," coach Mike Hastings said. "We started to get into a little bit of a rhythm where we were playing four lines and we were playing six-seven defensemen. And when we can do that, (when) you get everybody to play, it really gets your bench in a good mindset."
2. Scoring barrage: Michaelis (2 goals, 1 assist) and Parker Tuomie (1 goal, 2 assists) each had three-point games, as did sophomore defenseman Connor Mackey with three assists. Thirteen different players had at least one point — good feelings all around. Jared Spooner, with a goal and assist, also had a multi-point game. Tuomie now has 16 points (6-10) in nine games, and Michaelis has 14 (7-7). No one has been able to slow them down yet this season.
3. Getting involved: The Mavericks' defensemen had six points, becoming more involved in the offensive game. "For us to get better over this stretch we have, we need to get better support from our back end offensively ... creating more shots from the blue line." First off, there was Mackey, who now has nine points. And then there was Jack McNeely, another sophomore, who finished off a 2-on-1 with Max Coatta with a pretty backhander for his first career goal. "It’s great," Hastings said. "I wish I could share with people out there how our bench reacted to it. It’s very uplifting. Jack works hard every day."
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Clarkson 3, Michigan Tech 1 ... Lake Superior State 5, Bowling Green 0 ... Northern Michigan 3, Alaska Anchorage 0 ... St. Cloud State 2, Bemidji State 0 ... Alabama Huntsville 3, Alaska 1
1. Great start: Sometimes it takes a little time to shake off the rust after a bye week. That wasn't the case on Friday for the Mavericks. They scored three first-period goals, outshooting Ferris State 14-5 in the process. The first of two goals by Marc Michaelis just 40 seconds into the second period put the home team up 4-0, and the game was never in doubt after that. "As the (first) period went on we kept getting better," coach Mike Hastings said. "We started to get into a little bit of a rhythm where we were playing four lines and we were playing six-seven defensemen. And when we can do that, (when) you get everybody to play, it really gets your bench in a good mindset."
2. Scoring barrage: Michaelis (2 goals, 1 assist) and Parker Tuomie (1 goal, 2 assists) each had three-point games, as did sophomore defenseman Connor Mackey with three assists. Thirteen different players had at least one point — good feelings all around. Jared Spooner, with a goal and assist, also had a multi-point game. Tuomie now has 16 points (6-10) in nine games, and Michaelis has 14 (7-7). No one has been able to slow them down yet this season.
3. Getting involved: The Mavericks' defensemen had six points, becoming more involved in the offensive game. "For us to get better over this stretch we have, we need to get better support from our back end offensively ... creating more shots from the blue line." First off, there was Mackey, who now has nine points. And then there was Jack McNeely, another sophomore, who finished off a 2-on-1 with Max Coatta with a pretty backhander for his first career goal. "It’s great," Hastings said. "I wish I could share with people out there how our bench reacted to it. It’s very uplifting. Jack works hard every day."
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Clarkson 3, Michigan Tech 1 ... Lake Superior State 5, Bowling Green 0 ... Northern Michigan 3, Alaska Anchorage 0 ... St. Cloud State 2, Bemidji State 0 ... Alabama Huntsville 3, Alaska 1
Live: Minnesota State vs. Ferris State
The No. 3 Mavericks and Bulldogs will square off at 7:07 p.m. today at the Verizon Center. Follow along with all 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
22-Gerads, 10-McMahan, 26-French
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll
32-Israelsson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Bigelbach, Duehr Galambos, Schwalbe, Vanko
FERRIS STATE
21-Macken, 22-Tackett, 17-Moise
10-Norris, 18-Wendt, 6-Fernsler
19-Andren, 15-Transit, 20-MacDougall
28-Hetz, 12-Recktenwald, 8-Melton
25-Zech, 23-Kallen
26-Rutkowski, 4-Yoder
3-Clarke, 7-Killins
27-Tierney
30-Salmenkangas
31-Barber
***
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 11-Spooner, 15-Napravnik
22-Gerads, 10-McMahan, 26-French
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll
32-Israelsson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Bigelbach, Duehr Galambos, Schwalbe, Vanko
FERRIS STATE
21-Macken, 22-Tackett, 17-Moise
10-Norris, 18-Wendt, 6-Fernsler
19-Andren, 15-Transit, 20-MacDougall
28-Hetz, 12-Recktenwald, 8-Melton
25-Zech, 23-Kallen
26-Rutkowski, 4-Yoder
3-Clarke, 7-Killins
27-Tierney
30-Salmenkangas
31-Barber
***
Friday Morning Skate
After a week off, the No. 3 Mavericks are back in action this weekend with a WCHA home series against Ferris State. It's the first of five straight conference series for Minnesota State.
At 7-1-0, the Mavericks have been really good. One of the reasons for that has been their ability to plug in the holes in their lineup left by the departure of some high-scoring forwards. Case in point is right wing on the No. 1 line where speedster Charlie Gerard has already made a big mark.
For more on the Mavericks and Bulldogs, read the Freep's College Hockey Gameday feature. Also College Hockey News takes a look at MSU's defensive corps.
Ferris State, meanwhile, is being led by a pair of defensemen, including one of the WCHA's top rookies.
Going around the rest of the WCHA ...
• Lake Superior State at Bowling Green: This is a big series between the much-improved Lakers and the No. 10 Falcons, who are trying to get their power play clicking like it was in the first weeks of the season.
• Alaska Anchorage at Northern Michigan: The host Wildcats are hoping to get back on track after getting swept at home by Cornell. Not many people thought they'd be 3-7-0 right now. The Seawolves, meanwhile are looking for their first win since Oct. 7.
• Alabama Huntsville at Alaska: The Nanooks got their first win of the season last Saturday at Lake State. The Chargers are still looking for theirs after starting off 0-10. This series marks the return of Lance West to Fairbanks. The UAH assistant coach was Alaska's interim head coach last year.
• There are a couple of good nonconfernece series last Bemidji State goes to St. Cloud State for an in-state showdown, and Michigan Tech, which is coming off a sweep of Ferris State goes to Clarkson.
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Mavericks ink seven recruits
Minnesota State will have a pretty highly anticipated group of freshmen coming in next season, seven players who coaches and fans have been excited about for awhile.
“They have been verbally committed for awhile,” coach Mike Hastings said of the group. “I’m excited about what the future is going to be here.”
On Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA's early signing period, seven players inked National Letters of Intent to join Minnesota State in 2019.
The group includes forwards Ryan Sandelin and Nathan Smith. Sandelin, a Hermantown native, is the son of Minnesota Duluth coach Scott Sandelin. Smith, a Tampa, Florida, native was drafted in the third round by the Winnipeg Jets last summer.
"Horns Up! Super excited to say I have signed my NLI to officially become a Maverick," Sandelin tweeted on Wednesday afternoon.
Hastings said the entire class, which includes two other forwards, two defensemen and a goaltender, will have a chance to compete as soon as they get to Mankato. And the competition should be fierce, as this season’s team, ranked No. 3 in the country and off to a 7-1-0 start, has just three seniors, only one of whom plays regularly.
“Any time you have competition in all three groups, you’re going to get better every week,” Hastings said. “This group brings that.”
Here’s a look at the class:
• Sandelin plays for the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League. The 6-foot, 191-pound right wing is tied for his team’s lead with 14 goals and has 22 points in 23 games so far this season. He has already passed last season’s point total of 21 in 55 games with the Vees. In three seasons at Hermantown High School, he had 139 points, including 57 goals.
• Smith leads the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders with 14 points in 14 games. The 6-foot, 184-pound center is in his second season in the United States Hockey League. He had 47 points in 51 games a season ago.
• Another Florida native, Lucas Sowder of the Wenatchee Wild, is a 5-11, 165-pound left wing who ranks in the top 20 in BCHL scoring with eight goals and 25 points in 23 games. He’s in his third season in Wenatchee and had 22 goals and 60 points in 48 games a season ago.
• Cade Borchardt, a Burnsville native, is a 5-10, 187-pound right wing for the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede. He has nine points in 13 games this season, which is tied for second on his team. Last year with the Madison Capitols, he had 42 points, including 14 goals, in 59 games. He racked up 88 points in three seasons at Burnsville High School.
• Colby Bukes is a 5-11, 184-pound defenseman for the Muskegon Lumberjacks and has 12 points in 14 games, which ranks third among USHL defensemen. A native of Littleton, Colorado, Bukes had 28 points in 59 games last season with Muskegon.
• Tony Malinowski is a 6-3, 195-pound defenseman for the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers. He has four points and is plus-9 through 12 games this season. Last year, the Clarkson, Michigan, native had eight points and was minus-1 in 40 games with the Bucs.
• Jaxson Stauber is the lone goalie on the list. A Plymouth native and graduate of Holy Family Catholic in Victoria, the 6-3, 171-pounder is in his second season with the Sioux Falls Stampede. Through seven games he is 3-3 with a .883 save percentage and a 3.01 goals-against average. He played in 22 games last season, winning eight and had numbers of .900 and 3.09.
Read more here or check out MSU's press release here. You can read about the MSU women's recruits here.
“They have been verbally committed for awhile,” coach Mike Hastings said of the group. “I’m excited about what the future is going to be here.”
On Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA's early signing period, seven players inked National Letters of Intent to join Minnesota State in 2019.
The group includes forwards Ryan Sandelin and Nathan Smith. Sandelin, a Hermantown native, is the son of Minnesota Duluth coach Scott Sandelin. Smith, a Tampa, Florida, native was drafted in the third round by the Winnipeg Jets last summer.
"Horns Up! Super excited to say I have signed my NLI to officially become a Maverick," Sandelin tweeted on Wednesday afternoon.
Hastings said the entire class, which includes two other forwards, two defensemen and a goaltender, will have a chance to compete as soon as they get to Mankato. And the competition should be fierce, as this season’s team, ranked No. 3 in the country and off to a 7-1-0 start, has just three seniors, only one of whom plays regularly.
“Any time you have competition in all three groups, you’re going to get better every week,” Hastings said. “This group brings that.”
Here’s a look at the class:
• Sandelin plays for the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League. The 6-foot, 191-pound right wing is tied for his team’s lead with 14 goals and has 22 points in 23 games so far this season. He has already passed last season’s point total of 21 in 55 games with the Vees. In three seasons at Hermantown High School, he had 139 points, including 57 goals.
• Smith leads the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders with 14 points in 14 games. The 6-foot, 184-pound center is in his second season in the United States Hockey League. He had 47 points in 51 games a season ago.
• Another Florida native, Lucas Sowder of the Wenatchee Wild, is a 5-11, 165-pound left wing who ranks in the top 20 in BCHL scoring with eight goals and 25 points in 23 games. He’s in his third season in Wenatchee and had 22 goals and 60 points in 48 games a season ago.
• Cade Borchardt, a Burnsville native, is a 5-10, 187-pound right wing for the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede. He has nine points in 13 games this season, which is tied for second on his team. Last year with the Madison Capitols, he had 42 points, including 14 goals, in 59 games. He racked up 88 points in three seasons at Burnsville High School.
• Colby Bukes is a 5-11, 184-pound defenseman for the Muskegon Lumberjacks and has 12 points in 14 games, which ranks third among USHL defensemen. A native of Littleton, Colorado, Bukes had 28 points in 59 games last season with Muskegon.
• Tony Malinowski is a 6-3, 195-pound defenseman for the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers. He has four points and is plus-9 through 12 games this season. Last year, the Clarkson, Michigan, native had eight points and was minus-1 in 40 games with the Bucs.
• Jaxson Stauber is the lone goalie on the list. A Plymouth native and graduate of Holy Family Catholic in Victoria, the 6-3, 171-pounder is in his second season with the Sioux Falls Stampede. Through seven games he is 3-3 with a .883 save percentage and a 3.01 goals-against average. He played in 22 games last season, winning eight and had numbers of .900 and 3.09.
Read more here or check out MSU's press release here. You can read about the MSU women's recruits here.
Monday, November 12, 2018
Mavericks remain No. 3
Minnesota State, which was idle over the weekend, remained No. 3 in the newest USCHO poll, which came out on Monday morning. The Mavericks also moved up one spot to No. 3 in the USA Today/USA Hockey rankings. Here is the USCHO poll:
USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll Minneapolis, Minn./November 12, 2018 Team (First Place) Record Pts Last Week 1 Minnesota Duluth (41) 8- 1-1 989 1 2 St. Cloud State ( 7) 9- 1-0 953 2 3 Minnesota State ( 2) 7- 1-0 899 3 4 Massachusetts 8- 1-0 807 9 5 Penn State 8- 1-0 728 8 6 Ohio State 6- 3-1 719 7 7 Denver 5- 2-1 656 5 8 Notre Dame 5- 4-1 638 6 9 Providence 5- 3-1 637 4 10 Bowling Green 7- 2-2 560 10 11 North Dakota 5- 3-1 451 11 12 Union 7- 3-1 399 12 13 Northeastern 6- 3-1 362 15 14 Quinnipiac 7- 2-0 328 13 15 Princeton 3- 1-1 312 18 16 Michigan 5- 4-0 270 14 17 Cornell 4- 2-0 263 17 18 Arizona State 9- 3-0 168 NR 19 Minnesota 2- 4-1 114 16 20 Miami 8- 4-0 104 19 Others receiving votes: Bemidji State 60, Wisconsin 38, Lake Superior 16, Air Force 9, Boston University 7, Michigan Tech 7, Boston College 5, Michigan State 1.
Sunday, November 11, 2018
What happened in the WCHA?
Although the Mavericks were idle over the weekend, it's worth looking at the scores around the WCHA over the weekend to see where everything stands going into this week, when MSU returns to action with a conference series against Ferris State (4-6-0, 2-2-0).
Starting with next weekend's opponent, the Bulldogs hosted Michigan Tech were swept 5-4 and 4-3. On Friday, Tech scored last in a back-and-forth game in which FSU twice erased a two-goal deficit. On Saturday, the Bulldogs had a 3-1 lead in the third period, but the Huskies (5-3-0, 4-0-0) scored three times in a span of 5:05, the last goal coming with 5:14 remaining. The Huskies' Jake Lucchini had a five-point weekend (2-3).
Alaska won its first game for coach Eric Largen on Saturday night, as the Nanooks scored four unanswered goals (three in the third period) and defeated Lake Superior State 4-3 in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. On Friday, the teams tied 3-3 after the Lakers (5-2-1, 2-1-1) scored three unanswered, although Alaska (1-7-2, 1-2-1) getting the extra WCHA point in 3-on-3 play.
No. 10 Bowling Green got five points at Alaska Anchorage after a 0-0 tie on Friday in which the Falcons scored in 3-on-3 OT and a 3-0 victory on Saturday. Eric Dop and Ryan Bednard each had a shutout for BGSU (7-2-2, 2-1-1). The Seawolves fell to 1-5-1 (0-4-1).
In nonconference play, Bemidji State split a home series against Merrimack, winning 8-3 on Friday and falling 1-0 on Saturday despite outshooting the Warriors 38-17. The Beavers (5-2-1) had a 27-24 shot advantage on Friday.
Meanwhile, in Marquette, Mich., Northern Michigan was swept by No. 17 Cornell by scores of 3-1 and 3-1 to fall to 3-7-0. Although the Wildcats are not off the start most had expected, the good news is that Troy Loggins might be out of his early slump, scoring twice on Saturday.
Friday, November 9, 2018
Off week
Minnesota State is idle this weekend but did get quite a bit of attention as junior forward Charlie Gerard received some weekly awards, and the team itself got featured nationally.
As for the rest of the WCHA this week ...
There are three conference series with Michigan Tech going to Ferris State, No. 10 Bowling Green going to Alaska Anchorage and Alaska going to Lake Superior State.
In nonconference play, Bemidji State will host Merrimack, and Northern Michigan will host No. 17 Cornell.
As for the rest of the WCHA this week ...
There are three conference series with Michigan Tech going to Ferris State, No. 10 Bowling Green going to Alaska Anchorage and Alaska going to Lake Superior State.
In nonconference play, Bemidji State will host Merrimack, and Northern Michigan will host No. 17 Cornell.
Monday, November 5, 2018
Mavericks now No. 3
Following their sweep over Minnesota over the weekend, the 7-1-0 Mavericks moved up to No. 3 in the latest U.S. College Hockey Online poll.
The top three teams in the country are from Minnesota with Minnesota Duluth (6-1-1) first, St. Cloud State (7-1-0) second and MSU third. Minnesota dropped from 10th to 16th. The Gophers are 1-3-1.
As for other WCHA teams, Bowling Green (6-2-1) slipped one spot to 10th after splitting at home against Northern Michigan. Bemidji State and Lake Superior State are receiving votes.
Minnesota State remained fourth in the USA Today/USA Hockey rankings.
The top three teams in the country are from Minnesota with Minnesota Duluth (6-1-1) first, St. Cloud State (7-1-0) second and MSU third. Minnesota dropped from 10th to 16th. The Gophers are 1-3-1.
As for other WCHA teams, Bowling Green (6-2-1) slipped one spot to 10th after splitting at home against Northern Michigan. Bemidji State and Lake Superior State are receiving votes.
Minnesota State remained fourth in the USA Today/USA Hockey rankings.
USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll Minneapolis, Minn./November 05, 2018 Team (First Place) Record Pts Last Week 1 Minnesota Duluth (44) 6- 1-1 991 1 2 St. Cloud State ( 4) 7- 1-0 937 2 3 Minnesota State ( 2) 7- 1-0 876 4 4 Providence 5- 1-1 861 3 5 Denver 5- 0-1 742 8 6 Notre Dame 4- 3-1 721 5 7 Ohio State 4- 3-1 654 7 8 Penn State 6- 1-0 652 6 9 Massachusetts 6- 1-0 615 11 10 Bowling Green 6- 2-1 543 9 11 North Dakota 4- 2-1 485 14 12 Union 6- 2-1 392 17 13 Quinnipiac 6- 1-0 333 15 14 Michigan 4- 3-0 313 12 15 Northeastern 4- 3-1 257 13 16 Minnesota 1- 3-1 238 10 17 Cornell 2- 2-0 223 18 18 Princeton 1- 1-1 163 19 19 Miami 7- 3-0 102 20 20 Wisconsin 4- 4-0 86 16 Others receiving votes: Arizona State 85, Bemidji State 65, Lake Superior 37, Michigan State 35, Colorado College 31, Clarkson 24, Boston University 17, UMass Lowell 9, Harvard 4, Air Force 3, Connecticut 3, Dartmouth 2, Boston College 1.
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Mavericks 2, Gophers 1
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Special team: Minnesota State scored a power-play goal and a short-handed goal 80 seconds apart in the second period, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead and turning a quiet crowd of 5,131 into a spirited one. Parker Tuomie scored the first goal, staying red-hot. He has five goals and 13 points in eight games, while Jake Jaremko scored the second, his first of the year and one everyone's hoping will get him going after a slow start. Jaremko got a bit of good fortune on the goal, as you can read about him my gamer linked below, but he'll take it — and so will the Mavericks.
2. Defense wins: The Mavericks had chances to extend their lead, getting five straight power plays in the second and third periods, but they were unable to do so. Still, they keep finding ways to close out games, thanks to strong defensive play. "There are two guys who I think just epitomize a calmness, but yet (are) aggressive, and that’s Riese Zmolek and Edwin Hookenson," coach Mike Hastings said. "What they’re doing right now as a pair for us, I wish I could clone them, because they're minute eaters, they’re hard to play against, they’re starting to play with a little more offense to their game, and they’re 200-foot players. I didn't think there was any panic."
3. Getting through the gauntlet: MSU still has two nonconference games remaining in December, but who would have predicted it was going to finish this stretch 5-1-0, playing Boston University, North Dakota and Minnesota? Add to that the sweep over Alaska last weekend, and the Mavericks are 7-1-0 through their first eight games. "Because our league schedule is so meaty as far as the number of games, playing 28 games, you don't have a lot of opportunity to play outside your conference," Hastings said. "For us, they're very important games. You never know when you start it early how it's going to go."
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Northern Michigan 2, Bowling Green 0 ... Ferris State 4, Michigan State 1 ... Michigan 5, Lake Superior State 3 ... Bemidji State 3, Alaska Anchorage 1 ... Michigan Tech 4, Alabama Huntsville 1
1. Special team: Minnesota State scored a power-play goal and a short-handed goal 80 seconds apart in the second period, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead and turning a quiet crowd of 5,131 into a spirited one. Parker Tuomie scored the first goal, staying red-hot. He has five goals and 13 points in eight games, while Jake Jaremko scored the second, his first of the year and one everyone's hoping will get him going after a slow start. Jaremko got a bit of good fortune on the goal, as you can read about him my gamer linked below, but he'll take it — and so will the Mavericks.
2. Defense wins: The Mavericks had chances to extend their lead, getting five straight power plays in the second and third periods, but they were unable to do so. Still, they keep finding ways to close out games, thanks to strong defensive play. "There are two guys who I think just epitomize a calmness, but yet (are) aggressive, and that’s Riese Zmolek and Edwin Hookenson," coach Mike Hastings said. "What they’re doing right now as a pair for us, I wish I could clone them, because they're minute eaters, they’re hard to play against, they’re starting to play with a little more offense to their game, and they’re 200-foot players. I didn't think there was any panic."
3. Getting through the gauntlet: MSU still has two nonconference games remaining in December, but who would have predicted it was going to finish this stretch 5-1-0, playing Boston University, North Dakota and Minnesota? Add to that the sweep over Alaska last weekend, and the Mavericks are 7-1-0 through their first eight games. "Because our league schedule is so meaty as far as the number of games, playing 28 games, you don't have a lot of opportunity to play outside your conference," Hastings said. "For us, they're very important games. You never know when you start it early how it's going to go."
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Northern Michigan 2, Bowling Green 0 ... Ferris State 4, Michigan State 1 ... Michigan 5, Lake Superior State 3 ... Bemidji State 3, Alaska Anchorage 1 ... Michigan Tech 4, Alabama Huntsville 1
Live: Minnesota State vs. Minnesota
The Mavericks are back at the Verizon Center where they hope to pull off a sweep of the Gophers after Friday's 5-1 victory in Minneapolis. 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
22-Gerads, 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, McMahan, Schwalbe, Vanko
MINNESOTA
58-Ranta, 9-Walker, 22-Sheehy
23-Norman, 15-Pitlick, 7-McManus
27-McLaughlin, 26-Romanko, 12-Marooney
10-Gates, 17-Novak, 16-Ramsey
28-Rossini, 18-Phillips
20-Zuhlsdorf, 2-Sadek
4-Brinkman, 29-Nanne
40-Robson
37-Schierhorn
***
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 11-Spooner, 15-Napravnik
22-Gerads, 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, McMahan, Schwalbe, Vanko
MINNESOTA
58-Ranta, 9-Walker, 22-Sheehy
23-Norman, 15-Pitlick, 7-McManus
27-McLaughlin, 26-Romanko, 12-Marooney
10-Gates, 17-Novak, 16-Ramsey
28-Rossini, 18-Phillips
20-Zuhlsdorf, 2-Sadek
4-Brinkman, 29-Nanne
40-Robson
37-Schierhorn
***
Friday, November 2, 2018
Mavericks 5, Gophers 1
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. New star emerging: Marc Michaelis had a big night with two goals and two assists, but as the season enters its second month and the Mavericks' identity becomes clearer, some new stars are coming into their own. Junior forward Charlie Gerard had a goal and two assists and is fitting right in on the top line with Michaelis and Parker Tuomie. "He's worked hard for a long time," Michaelis said of Gerard, whose eight points this year are already a career high." As a line, the Mavericks' top group of forwards finished with eight points.
2. Fantastic freshman: Another player starting to emerge is rookie forward Julian Napravnik, who made a great play to start at 2-on-1 and make the assist on Nick Rivera for a goal just 32 seconds into the second periods for a 3-1 lead. The assist gives Napravnik five points in his last four games. "Really, really nice play," coach Mike Hastings said. "To me that play by a young player is pretty special. The thing I like about him is he’ll hold onto pucks. He doesn’t throw them around; he just plays with poise and he skates so well. I think he’s gaining confidence because he definitely has confidence with the puck. He sees the ice. There are guys who like playing with him."
3. Israelsson tested: Hastings said he made the decision to start Mathias Israelsson in goal on Friday morning. It sure looked like the right call. Israelsson made 24 saves for his third straight win. A week ago at home against Alaska he wasn't tested much, facing just six shots on Friday and 14 on Saturday. Against the Gophers he came up huge on the penalty kill, making five impressive saves in all. He stopped 13 saves in all in the second period when Minnesota made a good push while allowing just four shots (one was a goal, though).
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Michigan State 5, Ferris State 3 ... Bowling Green 3, Northern Michigan 1 ... Lake Superior State 5, Michigan 2 ... Michigan Tech 2, Alabama Huntsville 1 ... Bemidji State at Alaska Anchorage (late)
1. New star emerging: Marc Michaelis had a big night with two goals and two assists, but as the season enters its second month and the Mavericks' identity becomes clearer, some new stars are coming into their own. Junior forward Charlie Gerard had a goal and two assists and is fitting right in on the top line with Michaelis and Parker Tuomie. "He's worked hard for a long time," Michaelis said of Gerard, whose eight points this year are already a career high." As a line, the Mavericks' top group of forwards finished with eight points.
2. Fantastic freshman: Another player starting to emerge is rookie forward Julian Napravnik, who made a great play to start at 2-on-1 and make the assist on Nick Rivera for a goal just 32 seconds into the second periods for a 3-1 lead. The assist gives Napravnik five points in his last four games. "Really, really nice play," coach Mike Hastings said. "To me that play by a young player is pretty special. The thing I like about him is he’ll hold onto pucks. He doesn’t throw them around; he just plays with poise and he skates so well. I think he’s gaining confidence because he definitely has confidence with the puck. He sees the ice. There are guys who like playing with him."
3. Israelsson tested: Hastings said he made the decision to start Mathias Israelsson in goal on Friday morning. It sure looked like the right call. Israelsson made 24 saves for his third straight win. A week ago at home against Alaska he wasn't tested much, facing just six shots on Friday and 14 on Saturday. Against the Gophers he came up huge on the penalty kill, making five impressive saves in all. He stopped 13 saves in all in the second period when Minnesota made a good push while allowing just four shots (one was a goal, though).
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Michigan State 5, Ferris State 3 ... Bowling Green 3, Northern Michigan 1 ... Lake Superior State 5, Michigan 2 ... Michigan Tech 2, Alabama Huntsville 1 ... Bemidji State at Alaska Anchorage (late)
Live: Minnesota State at Minnesota
It's the Mavericks and the Gophers at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis. Should be a fun one between two top-10 teams. 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
22-Gerads, 26-French, 17-Duehr
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
4-Carroll, 18-Scheid
7-Aamodt
32-Israelsson
29-McKay
Scratches: Berger, Bigelbach, Galambos, McMahan, Schwalbe, Vanko
MINNESOTA
10-Gates, 17-Novak, 27-McLaughlin
58-Ranta, 15-Pitlick, 22-Sheehy
14-Wait, 9-Walker, 7-McManus
21-Burke, 26-Romanko, 16-Ramsey
20-Zuhlsdorf, 29-Nanne
4-Brinkman, 3-Stucker
18-Phillips, 2-Sadek
5-Denman
40-Robson
37-Schierhorn
1-Kautz
***
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 11-Spooner, 15-Napravnik
22-Gerads, 26-French, 17-Duehr
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
4-Carroll, 18-Scheid
7-Aamodt
32-Israelsson
29-McKay
Scratches: Berger, Bigelbach, Galambos, McMahan, Schwalbe, Vanko
MINNESOTA
10-Gates, 17-Novak, 27-McLaughlin
58-Ranta, 15-Pitlick, 22-Sheehy
14-Wait, 9-Walker, 7-McManus
21-Burke, 26-Romanko, 16-Ramsey
20-Zuhlsdorf, 29-Nanne
4-Brinkman, 3-Stucker
18-Phillips, 2-Sadek
5-Denman
40-Robson
37-Schierhorn
1-Kautz
***
Friday Morning Skate
Pick up a copy of the paper today if you can, but if you can't wait, here are some of the stories you'll find:
• It's interesting, it seems the rise of the other four D1 programs in the State of Hockey have made a generation of players fans of all the teams. Even Minnesota State's Riese Zmolek, whose dad, Doug, played for the Gophers, said he was simply a WCHA fan growing up. Still, this is a significant weekend for a lot of players who watched a lot of Minnesota games on TV over the years.
• After not playing last year, it's good to see Minnesota State and Minnesota back on each other's schedule. But the year off was a good reason to go back and look at the history of the series and some good, bad and wacky moments that took place over two decades.
• One of those moments, a certain "epic" playoff series in 2008, is still fresh in a lot of fans' minds. Who could ever forget three games and five overtimes. Even fans of MSU, which lost the series, think it might have been the best weekend of hockey ever played in Mankato.
• As always, the College Hockey Gameday feature takes a closer look at this weekend's games.
As for the Gophers, new coach Bob Motzko believes he has a good problem in goal with two solid ones to choose from. Also from the Star Tribune is a series preview. In the Pioneer Press, there's a story on Minnesota trying to cut down on penalties, an issue Motzko didn't have too often at St. Cloud State.
Going around the WCHA ...
Northern Michigan at Bowling Green: This is a big matchup between two league contenders. The Wildcats are coming off a tough home split against Bemidji State in which it thought it scored a late-game-winner on Saturday only to have it waved off after review (apparently the WCHA sent a letter saying the refs got it wrong). Then the Beavers won it in the game's final second. The Falcons, meanwhile, are ranked No. 9 after a stellar 5-1-1 nonconference run.
Bemidji State at Alaska Anchorage: The Beavers go from the Eastern Time Zone to Alaska Time in back-to-back weekends to take on the Seawolves. It's the end of a five-game road swing for Bemidji State. The Seawolves are back home after a pair of losses at Ferris State. Those games came 19 days after their previous game, so finally getting into a real groove might be good for Anchorage.
Michigan Tech at Alabama Huntsville: The Huskies are in the midst of an eight game road swing that started with a split last weekend at Wisconsin. They are opening WCHA play against a Chargers team that has yet to win in eight games so far.
Michigan at Lake Superior State: It should be a fun weekend in Sault Ste. Marie as the Lakers are undefeated (4-0-0) and the Wolverines are making the trek there for the first time since the 2012-13 season when they were both members of the CCHA. It's nothing new for Michigan coach Mel Pearson, though, as he's in his second year there after coaching at Michigan Tech.
Ferris State at/vs. Michigan State: The third series of this weekend's unofficial WCHA-Big Ten crossover is a home-and-home series between the Bulldogs and the Spartans. Ferris State is coming off a sweep of Anchorage to start league play.
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