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