Freddy's three thoughts (from afar) ...
1. Slump continues: Associate head coach Todd Knott was happy to be talking about a tie instead of a loss on Saturday, but the Mavericks have now gone four straight games without a win after losing to Minnesota Duluth in overtime on Friday and tying Arizona State on Saturday at the Desert Hockey Classic. In both games, MSU had a third-period lead but was unable to extend it and then allowed the game-tying goal.
2. Power outage: The Mavericks were 0 for 6 on the power play in the tournament. Certainly not having Parker Tuomie (lower-body injury), one of their better PP players, in the lineup hurt, but they needed to find a way to score on a 5-minute major power play in the third period on Friday. They were 0 for 3 on Saturday but didn't get any power-play time in the third period. They did kill off two periods in the third, something they were unable to do Friday.
3. Rankings slide: Minnesota State was ranked third in the last U.S. College Hockey Online poll and will undoubtedly slip well below that mark this week. Already, though, the Mavericks have fallen to No. 13 in the Pairwise Rankings, right at the time when it's OK to start looking at them and talking about them. They teams they've played in this slump are fifth (UMD), eighth (Bowling Green) and ninth (ASU). The nonconference teams they beat early? 38th (Boston U), 25th (Minnesota) and 17th (North Dakota).
Read my game story here.
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Friday, December 28, 2018
Friday Morning Skate
The Mavericks are back in action today as they take on Minnesota Duluth in the opening game of Arizona State's Desert Hockey Classic.
Minnesota State will look a little different today as it likely will have highly touted recruit Chris Van Os-Shaw in the lineup. That's the good news. The bad news is leading scorer Parker Tuomie and Jake Jaremko are out this weekend with injuries. For more on the tournament, check out the Freep's College Hockey Gameday.
Like MSU, UMD is without its head coach as Scott Sandelin is one of Mike Hastings' assistant coaches at the World Junior Championships. The Duluth News-Tribune takes a look at the Bulldogs' associate head coach, Jason Herter, who is in charge this weekend. Matt Wellens also writes about UMD's defensive corps and the fact that the Dogs are healthier than they were their last time out.
The tournament features four ranked teams, an impressive field that includes the host Sun Devils, who are one of the big surprises in college hockey this season. The Arizona Republic features one ASU player with pretty famous father.
Not in Arizona (like me!) and hoping to watch the game. Arizona State says the games will be streamed online here. Minnesota State's website might also have a link later today.
Going around the WCHA, several teams are in action this weekend. Here's a look at who's playing:
Ferris State at Minnesota: The Bulldogs will take on the Gophers in a nonconference series in which they hope to snap out of their 10-game winless streak. Minnesota also announced that its holiday tournament, the Mariucci Classic will return next year, and it will be an all-Minnesota field with Minnesota, Minnesota State, Bemidji State and St. Cloud State.
Alabama Huntsville at Catamount Cup: The Chargers head to the northeast to play host Vermont today and Northeastern on Saturday.
Bemidji State at Air Force: This isn't a tournament, but the Saturday-Sunday series could be called the Serratore Cup as brothers Tom (BSU's coach) and Frank (Air Force's) square off. Also, the Falcons' captain, Matt Serratore, is Tom's son, although he's played just three games this season due to injury. Also of note, Air Force has Mankato native Tyler Jutting, a freshman defenseman, on the roster. He has played nine games and has no points.
Alaska Anchorage at Omaha: The Seawolves and red Mavericks will play Saturday and Monday in a nonconference series. UAA snapped a 13-game winless streak its last time out at Bemidji State. Omaha will try to break its own four-game slump this weekend.
Michigan Tech, Lake Superior State in Great Lakes Invitational: On Sunday and Monday, the GLI will take place in Detroit. It will be an all-Michigan field with Tech taking on Michigan and Lake State taking on Michigan State in the first round. The two winners and two losers will play the next day.
Finally, Mike Hastings and Team USA will play their second game of the WJC at 9:30 p.m. today against Kazakhstan. The game is on NHL Network.
Minnesota State will look a little different today as it likely will have highly touted recruit Chris Van Os-Shaw in the lineup. That's the good news. The bad news is leading scorer Parker Tuomie and Jake Jaremko are out this weekend with injuries. For more on the tournament, check out the Freep's College Hockey Gameday.
Like MSU, UMD is without its head coach as Scott Sandelin is one of Mike Hastings' assistant coaches at the World Junior Championships. The Duluth News-Tribune takes a look at the Bulldogs' associate head coach, Jason Herter, who is in charge this weekend. Matt Wellens also writes about UMD's defensive corps and the fact that the Dogs are healthier than they were their last time out.
The tournament features four ranked teams, an impressive field that includes the host Sun Devils, who are one of the big surprises in college hockey this season. The Arizona Republic features one ASU player with pretty famous father.
Not in Arizona (like me!) and hoping to watch the game. Arizona State says the games will be streamed online here. Minnesota State's website might also have a link later today.
Going around the WCHA, several teams are in action this weekend. Here's a look at who's playing:
Ferris State at Minnesota: The Bulldogs will take on the Gophers in a nonconference series in which they hope to snap out of their 10-game winless streak. Minnesota also announced that its holiday tournament, the Mariucci Classic will return next year, and it will be an all-Minnesota field with Minnesota, Minnesota State, Bemidji State and St. Cloud State.
Alabama Huntsville at Catamount Cup: The Chargers head to the northeast to play host Vermont today and Northeastern on Saturday.
Bemidji State at Air Force: This isn't a tournament, but the Saturday-Sunday series could be called the Serratore Cup as brothers Tom (BSU's coach) and Frank (Air Force's) square off. Also, the Falcons' captain, Matt Serratore, is Tom's son, although he's played just three games this season due to injury. Also of note, Air Force has Mankato native Tyler Jutting, a freshman defenseman, on the roster. He has played nine games and has no points.
Alaska Anchorage at Omaha: The Seawolves and red Mavericks will play Saturday and Monday in a nonconference series. UAA snapped a 13-game winless streak its last time out at Bemidji State. Omaha will try to break its own four-game slump this weekend.
Michigan Tech, Lake Superior State in Great Lakes Invitational: On Sunday and Monday, the GLI will take place in Detroit. It will be an all-Michigan field with Tech taking on Michigan and Lake State taking on Michigan State in the first round. The two winners and two losers will play the next day.
Finally, Mike Hastings and Team USA will play their second game of the WJC at 9:30 p.m. today against Kazakhstan. The game is on NHL Network.
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Falcons 4, Mavericks 1 (again)
Freddy's three thoughts from afar ...
1. Passenger side: Associate head coach Todd Knott said it after the game: “You can’t have any passengers when you’re playing the upper-tier teams. I didn't think we had everyone this weekend. ... When you play this type of team, you have to have all 20 (players).” Knott credited Nick Rivera and Josh French for their overall efforts in the series, but a good Bowling Green team made a lot of good players disappear. Stunning to see the Mavericks' top line held off the score sheet in back-to-back games.
2. Rare sweep: Minnesota State, in the new WCHA era, just doesn't get swept, it seems. You have to go back to 2013-14 at Alaska Anchorage to find the last time it didn't secure at least a point in a league series. The Mavericks were last swept by St. Cloud State in a nonconference series early in the 2015-16 season, which means the big junior class, of which there were seven in the lineup, had never been swept before in a weekend series. This weekend marked the first time either MSU or BGSU swept the other, ending a long string of splits.
3. New sheriff? Bowling Green briefly moved into first place in the league standings with the win but is now a point back after Michigan Tech beat Alabama Huntsville in overtime for a split. Tech, Bowling Green and MSU are separated by just two points through 12 conference games. Northern Michigan, meanwhile, is lurking three points behind the Mavericks. Knott said BGSU was the best team MSU has played up to this point. Should be a fun second half!
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Alaska Anchorage 2, Bemidji State 1 (OT) ... Michigan Tech 2, Alabama Huntsville 1 (OT) ... Northern Michigan 4, Ferris State 2
1. Passenger side: Associate head coach Todd Knott said it after the game: “You can’t have any passengers when you’re playing the upper-tier teams. I didn't think we had everyone this weekend. ... When you play this type of team, you have to have all 20 (players).” Knott credited Nick Rivera and Josh French for their overall efforts in the series, but a good Bowling Green team made a lot of good players disappear. Stunning to see the Mavericks' top line held off the score sheet in back-to-back games.
2. Rare sweep: Minnesota State, in the new WCHA era, just doesn't get swept, it seems. You have to go back to 2013-14 at Alaska Anchorage to find the last time it didn't secure at least a point in a league series. The Mavericks were last swept by St. Cloud State in a nonconference series early in the 2015-16 season, which means the big junior class, of which there were seven in the lineup, had never been swept before in a weekend series. This weekend marked the first time either MSU or BGSU swept the other, ending a long string of splits.
3. New sheriff? Bowling Green briefly moved into first place in the league standings with the win but is now a point back after Michigan Tech beat Alabama Huntsville in overtime for a split. Tech, Bowling Green and MSU are separated by just two points through 12 conference games. Northern Michigan, meanwhile, is lurking three points behind the Mavericks. Knott said BGSU was the best team MSU has played up to this point. Should be a fun second half!
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Alaska Anchorage 2, Bemidji State 1 (OT) ... Michigan Tech 2, Alabama Huntsville 1 (OT) ... Northern Michigan 4, Ferris State 2
Friday, December 14, 2018
Falcons 4, Mavericks 1
Freddy's three thoughts from afar:
1. Plague of penalties: Not sure how things went in the BGSU pentalty box, but the penalty box was a place the Mavericks went too often on Friday night. Actually, MSU and Bowling Green each had seven power-play opportunities, but the Falcons scored three times and the Mavericks went scoreless. Associate head coach Todd Knott said the penalty kill was working early on, but it simply had to go out there too often. Taking two penalties in a tie game early in the third period and giving up goals on both was troubling.
2. Physical challenge: The game, at least from a TV perspective, appeared to be the most physical one the Mavericks have been involved in this year, something they expected to face at Bowling Green, Knott said. That led to many of the penalties, certainly, and left the Mavericks short-handed at other times, too. Jake Jaremko took a high hit in the second period and didn't return to the game, and Nick Rivera was lost for a good chuck of the second period to clean up blood and get stitches. He returned in the third.
3. Standings tightened: The Mavericks remained in first place in the WCHA standings despite the loss as Michigan Tech also lost to remain one point behind. However, Bowling Green moved within two points of first place, and, no matter what happens in Saturday's rematch between the Mavericks and Falcons it should be quite a race over the second half of the season. Northern Michigan is in fourth place, four points behind Bowling Green.
Read more in my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Bemidji State 5, Alaska Anchorage 1 ... Alabama Huntsville 1, Michigan Tech 0 ... Northern Michigan 4, Ferris State 1
Friday Morning Skate
The No. 3 Mavericks are back on the road to face No. 12 Bowling Green in a matchup of two of the top teams in the WCHA. If you're a betting person, the odds of a split are good, as they have split every regular-season series since becoming league foes, going 7-7-2.
Minnesota State will be without coach Mike Hastings, who is off to the Pacific Northwest to begin his quest with the U.S. Junior National Team. Hastings feels like the team will be in capable hands over the next six games with Todd Knott and Darren Blue running things. The Mavericks also will be without their athletic trainer, Matt Schmidt, who is joining Hastings' Team USA staff.
The College Hockey Gameday has five things to know about the Mavericks-Falcons matchup.
Although they've had a good degree of success against MSU, the Falcons are hoping to become as consistent as the Mavericks have been over the years.
In other WCHA action ...
Alabama Huntsville at Michigan Tech: The Chargers got their second win of the season last Saturday at Bemidji but now face the league's second-place team, the Huskies, who are coming off a split of their own. Tech swept UAH in Alabama in early November.
Ferris State at Northern Michigan: The Bulldogs are on an eight-game winless streak and snapping it will be no easy task in Marquette against the Wildcats, who are 4-3 in their last seven games and 4-1 at home against league opponents.
Alaska Anchorage at Bemidji State: The Seawolves stayed in Minnesota after last weekend's series in Mankato and will try to break their 12-game winless streak (0-11-1) when they play the Beavers. Bemidji State hopes to do to UAA what it did to them back in early November in Anchorage.
Minnesota State will be without coach Mike Hastings, who is off to the Pacific Northwest to begin his quest with the U.S. Junior National Team. Hastings feels like the team will be in capable hands over the next six games with Todd Knott and Darren Blue running things. The Mavericks also will be without their athletic trainer, Matt Schmidt, who is joining Hastings' Team USA staff.
The College Hockey Gameday has five things to know about the Mavericks-Falcons matchup.
Although they've had a good degree of success against MSU, the Falcons are hoping to become as consistent as the Mavericks have been over the years.
In other WCHA action ...
Alabama Huntsville at Michigan Tech: The Chargers got their second win of the season last Saturday at Bemidji but now face the league's second-place team, the Huskies, who are coming off a split of their own. Tech swept UAH in Alabama in early November.
Ferris State at Northern Michigan: The Bulldogs are on an eight-game winless streak and snapping it will be no easy task in Marquette against the Wildcats, who are 4-3 in their last seven games and 4-1 at home against league opponents.
Alaska Anchorage at Bemidji State: The Seawolves stayed in Minnesota after last weekend's series in Mankato and will try to break their 12-game winless streak (0-11-1) when they play the Beavers. Bemidji State hopes to do to UAA what it did to them back in early November in Anchorage.
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Mavericks 6, Seawolves 0
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. First place: With the smoke cleared from this weekend's games, Minnesota State finds itself in first place in the WCHA standings, one point ahead of Michigan Tech, which split with Northern Michigan over the weekend. The Mavericks are now 14-2-0 and 9-1-0 in league play after Saturday's dominating performance and series sweep over Alaska Anchorage. Friday's game probably should have been a similar result, but UAA's goaltender and some bad puck luck kept things close until the end. Speaking of that, not sure why the Seawolves coach Matt Curley not only didn't start Brody Claeys in goal Saturday but didn't even dress him.
2. Terrifying top line: Minnesota State's No. 1 line of Marc Michaelis, Parker Tuomie and Charlie Gerard was back to its old self with seven points in the game. Michaelis finished with two goals and an assist, and Tuomie and Gerard each had a goal and an assist. Of MSU's 58 shots on goal, that group accounted for 15 with Tuomie leading the way with six. Tuomie now has 22 points (nine goals) in 16 games, and Michaelis has 21 (10 goals). Gerard has 14 points (6 goals).
3. Going deep: As good as the top-line players were, the Mavericks' secondary scoring came through all weekend. Josh French scored for the second night in a row and now has four goals (remember: he had just one total in his first two seasons), and Shane McMahan scored his first career goal. That comes a night after Alec Vanko, French and Walker Duehr scored (along with Jared Spooner), and in a weekend in which No. 2 center Jake Jaremko missed both games with an illness. "Other guys getting in on the scoring is helpful; it takes some of the weight off Michaelis' line," said Nick Rivera, who had two assists Saturday and three in the series.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Bowling Green 4, Ferris State 3 (OT) ... Michigan Tech 3, Northern Michigan 1 ... Alabama Huntsville 4, Bemidji State 1
Programming note: No postgame video tonight, as I'm a little under the weather all of a sudden, and you don't want to watch me sneeze for 15 minutes in a row. Sorry about that.
1. First place: With the smoke cleared from this weekend's games, Minnesota State finds itself in first place in the WCHA standings, one point ahead of Michigan Tech, which split with Northern Michigan over the weekend. The Mavericks are now 14-2-0 and 9-1-0 in league play after Saturday's dominating performance and series sweep over Alaska Anchorage. Friday's game probably should have been a similar result, but UAA's goaltender and some bad puck luck kept things close until the end. Speaking of that, not sure why the Seawolves coach Matt Curley not only didn't start Brody Claeys in goal Saturday but didn't even dress him.
2. Terrifying top line: Minnesota State's No. 1 line of Marc Michaelis, Parker Tuomie and Charlie Gerard was back to its old self with seven points in the game. Michaelis finished with two goals and an assist, and Tuomie and Gerard each had a goal and an assist. Of MSU's 58 shots on goal, that group accounted for 15 with Tuomie leading the way with six. Tuomie now has 22 points (nine goals) in 16 games, and Michaelis has 21 (10 goals). Gerard has 14 points (6 goals).
3. Going deep: As good as the top-line players were, the Mavericks' secondary scoring came through all weekend. Josh French scored for the second night in a row and now has four goals (remember: he had just one total in his first two seasons), and Shane McMahan scored his first career goal. That comes a night after Alec Vanko, French and Walker Duehr scored (along with Jared Spooner), and in a weekend in which No. 2 center Jake Jaremko missed both games with an illness. "Other guys getting in on the scoring is helpful; it takes some of the weight off Michaelis' line," said Nick Rivera, who had two assists Saturday and three in the series.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Bowling Green 4, Ferris State 3 (OT) ... Michigan Tech 3, Northern Michigan 1 ... Alabama Huntsville 4, Bemidji State 1
Programming note: No postgame video tonight, as I'm a little under the weather all of a sudden, and you don't want to watch me sneeze for 15 minutes in a row. Sorry about that.
Minnesota State vs. Alaska Anchorage, Game 2
The Mavericks will go for the series sweep tonight when they play the Seawolves at the Verizon Center. Here are tonight's lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
15-Napravnik, 11-Spooner, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 26-French, 17-Duehr
16-Lutz, 10-McMahan, 21-Vanko
22-Gerads
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
4-Carroll, 18-Scheid
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
31-Berger
Scratches: Aamodt, Bigelbach, Galambos, Jaremko, Schwalbe
ALASKA ANCHORAGE
5-Golver, 12-Rygaard, 27-Luedtke
15-Schachle, 20-Renwick, 19-Mason
10-Sofo, 16-Erb-Ekholm, 29-de Graaf
26-McPheters, 4-Renouf, 3-Lane
7-Nicholas, 24-Hayes
18-Hiekkavirta, 8-Pears
21-Trinkberger, 23-Sinclair
39-Stead
30-Carlson
***
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
15-Napravnik, 11-Spooner, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 26-French, 17-Duehr
16-Lutz, 10-McMahan, 21-Vanko
22-Gerads
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
4-Carroll, 18-Scheid
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
31-Berger
Scratches: Aamodt, Bigelbach, Galambos, Jaremko, Schwalbe
ALASKA ANCHORAGE
5-Golver, 12-Rygaard, 27-Luedtke
15-Schachle, 20-Renwick, 19-Mason
10-Sofo, 16-Erb-Ekholm, 29-de Graaf
26-McPheters, 4-Renouf, 3-Lane
7-Nicholas, 24-Hayes
18-Hiekkavirta, 8-Pears
21-Trinkberger, 23-Sinclair
39-Stead
30-Carlson
***
Friday, December 7, 2018
Mavericks 4, Seawolves 1
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Rare goal: Read my gamer (linked below) for more on Alec Vanko, who scored what would stand as the game-winning goal tonight. It was his first goal in more than two years and it came in his third straight game after being a scratch for nearly two years. He's a guy who's stuck with things, even when he knew opportunities to play might be slim at best. Vanko remained in the lineup even as coach Mike Hastings mixed things up a bit more. Jake Jaremko (sick) was out, and Reggie Lutz and Shane McMahan were back in, and Dallas Gerads was the 13th forward/19th skater, a spot that Hastings previously used for an extra defenseman.
2. Tight game: Don't be fooled by the final score. It was a 2-1 game from 4:14 of the second period when the Seawolves scored until Josh French scored an empty-netter with 1:33 to play. Walker Duehr added a goal with 24 seconds remaining. "Give (the Seawolves) credit, they didn't give up," Vanko said. "The way they play, I give them a lot of credit, and they're going to be just as hungry tomorrow so we've got to be better with our game." UAA goaltender Brody Claeys, a 6-foot-4 sophomore, made some terrific saves to keep the game close. The Mavericks outshot the Seawolves 30-11.
3. Spoonful of points: Jared Spooner continues to impress. With a goal and an assist Friday, he now has 18 points, which is tied for second on the team with Marc Michaelis, who was held off the score sheet. Spooner also did an excellent job on the Mavericks' penalty kill in the third period with another good killer, Nick Rivera, in the box at the time. Credit Max Coatta for his play on the kill as well, as no shots got to Dryden McKay, and MSU was able to twice get the puck to the other end for some extended seconds as the penalty ticked down.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Northern Michigan 5, Michigan Tech 3 ... Bowling Green 3, Ferris State 3 (BG wins shootout) ... Bemidji State 4, Alabama Huntsville 0 ... Lake Superior State at Alaska (late)
1. Rare goal: Read my gamer (linked below) for more on Alec Vanko, who scored what would stand as the game-winning goal tonight. It was his first goal in more than two years and it came in his third straight game after being a scratch for nearly two years. He's a guy who's stuck with things, even when he knew opportunities to play might be slim at best. Vanko remained in the lineup even as coach Mike Hastings mixed things up a bit more. Jake Jaremko (sick) was out, and Reggie Lutz and Shane McMahan were back in, and Dallas Gerads was the 13th forward/19th skater, a spot that Hastings previously used for an extra defenseman.
2. Tight game: Don't be fooled by the final score. It was a 2-1 game from 4:14 of the second period when the Seawolves scored until Josh French scored an empty-netter with 1:33 to play. Walker Duehr added a goal with 24 seconds remaining. "Give (the Seawolves) credit, they didn't give up," Vanko said. "The way they play, I give them a lot of credit, and they're going to be just as hungry tomorrow so we've got to be better with our game." UAA goaltender Brody Claeys, a 6-foot-4 sophomore, made some terrific saves to keep the game close. The Mavericks outshot the Seawolves 30-11.
3. Spoonful of points: Jared Spooner continues to impress. With a goal and an assist Friday, he now has 18 points, which is tied for second on the team with Marc Michaelis, who was held off the score sheet. Spooner also did an excellent job on the Mavericks' penalty kill in the third period with another good killer, Nick Rivera, in the box at the time. Credit Max Coatta for his play on the kill as well, as no shots got to Dryden McKay, and MSU was able to twice get the puck to the other end for some extended seconds as the penalty ticked down.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Northern Michigan 5, Michigan Tech 3 ... Bowling Green 3, Ferris State 3 (BG wins shootout) ... Bemidji State 4, Alabama Huntsville 0 ... Lake Superior State at Alaska (late)
Live: Minnesota State vs. Alaska Anchorage
The No. 3 Mavericks are back home after two weeks again and will face the Seawolves, who are trying to break a 10-game winless streak. Follow along with all the action below tonight's lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
15-Napravnik, 11-Spooner, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 26-French, 17-Duehr
16-Lutz, 10-McMahan, 21-Vanko
22-Gerads
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
4-Carroll, 18-Scheid
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
31-Berger
Scratches: Aamodt, Bigelbach, Galambos, Jaremko, Schwalbe
ALASKA ANCHORAGE
5-Golver, 12-Rygaard, 27-Luedtke
15-Schachle, 20-Renwick, 29-DeGraaf
26-McPheters, 16-Erb-Ekholm, 17-Xavier
2-N. Renouf, 4-J. Renouf, 19-Mason
7-Nicholas, 24-Hayes
18-Hiekkavirta, 8-Pears
21-Trinkberger, 23-Sinclair
22-Buono
1-Claeys
39-Stead
***
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
15-Napravnik, 11-Spooner, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 26-French, 17-Duehr
16-Lutz, 10-McMahan, 21-Vanko
22-Gerads
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 24-Hookenson
4-Carroll, 18-Scheid
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
31-Berger
Scratches: Aamodt, Bigelbach, Galambos, Jaremko, Schwalbe
ALASKA ANCHORAGE
5-Golver, 12-Rygaard, 27-Luedtke
15-Schachle, 20-Renwick, 29-DeGraaf
26-McPheters, 16-Erb-Ekholm, 17-Xavier
2-N. Renouf, 4-J. Renouf, 19-Mason
7-Nicholas, 24-Hayes
18-Hiekkavirta, 8-Pears
21-Trinkberger, 23-Sinclair
22-Buono
1-Claeys
39-Stead
***
Friday Morning Skate
The No. 3 Mavericks are back home after two weeks on the road and will face Alaska Anchorage in a series at the Verizon Center. Minnesota State went 3-1-0 on its road swing and now will try to remain unbeaten at home.
The Mavericks' defense has been very good this season. One reason for that is the number of shots the team blocks. Despite what you often see from advanced hockey stats, MSU blocks a lot of shots while also outshooting opponents by quite a lot. Often teams that block many shots are also giving up many more opportunities.
"Blockings hots doesn't take as much skill as will," coach Mike Hastings said.
The Mavericks are third in the WCHA with 198 blocked shots. Leading the way is junior defenseman Edwin Hookenson, who is tops in the conference and third in the country with 42 blocked shots. He's also really turning into quite the reliable defenseman.
"The first year (at MSU) was tough, being in and out of the lineup," Hookenson said, "and the second year a little bit of the same. So now it’s really nice to be in the lineup every night and contributing and playing a lot more minutes than I have in the last couple of years."
For more on the series, check out the College Hockey Gameday feature.
As for Anchorage, the Seawolves are looking to break a 10-game winless streak. They gave North Dakota a scare in their last game, falling 4-3 after leading 3-1 after two periods. They were able to practice at Sullivan Arena this week, although other athletic facilities at UAA suffered damage in last week's earthquake.
Going around the WCHA, all 10 teams are in action against each other this weekend for the first time this season. Here are the other matchups:
Bowling Green at Ferris State: The Falcons want to keep things going when they go on the road to Big Rapids with a three-game winning streak. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, are desperate to break a six-game losing streak.
Michigan Tech at/vs. Northern Michigan: Big home-and-home rivalry weekend in the U.P. between the No. 20 Huskies and the Wildcats, who haven't played a game in 10 days. Tech hasn't lost in WCHA play yet and holds a two-point lead over Minnesota State atop the league standings.
Alabama Huntsville at Bemidji State: The one-win Chargers are in northern Minnesota to take on their old CHA rivals, the Beavers, although that rivalry hasn't really carried over to the new WCHA.
Lake Superior State at Alaska: The Lakers will try to bounce back from getting swept by MSU in the Soo last weekend but are on the road to Fairbanks where the Nanooks, who are getting some good play lately from junior defenseman Tristen Thompson.
The Mavericks' defense has been very good this season. One reason for that is the number of shots the team blocks. Despite what you often see from advanced hockey stats, MSU blocks a lot of shots while also outshooting opponents by quite a lot. Often teams that block many shots are also giving up many more opportunities.
"Blockings hots doesn't take as much skill as will," coach Mike Hastings said.
The Mavericks are third in the WCHA with 198 blocked shots. Leading the way is junior defenseman Edwin Hookenson, who is tops in the conference and third in the country with 42 blocked shots. He's also really turning into quite the reliable defenseman.
"The first year (at MSU) was tough, being in and out of the lineup," Hookenson said, "and the second year a little bit of the same. So now it’s really nice to be in the lineup every night and contributing and playing a lot more minutes than I have in the last couple of years."
For more on the series, check out the College Hockey Gameday feature.
As for Anchorage, the Seawolves are looking to break a 10-game winless streak. They gave North Dakota a scare in their last game, falling 4-3 after leading 3-1 after two periods. They were able to practice at Sullivan Arena this week, although other athletic facilities at UAA suffered damage in last week's earthquake.
Going around the WCHA, all 10 teams are in action against each other this weekend for the first time this season. Here are the other matchups:
Bowling Green at Ferris State: The Falcons want to keep things going when they go on the road to Big Rapids with a three-game winning streak. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, are desperate to break a six-game losing streak.
Michigan Tech at/vs. Northern Michigan: Big home-and-home rivalry weekend in the U.P. between the No. 20 Huskies and the Wildcats, who haven't played a game in 10 days. Tech hasn't lost in WCHA play yet and holds a two-point lead over Minnesota State atop the league standings.
Alabama Huntsville at Bemidji State: The one-win Chargers are in northern Minnesota to take on their old CHA rivals, the Beavers, although that rivalry hasn't really carried over to the new WCHA.
Lake Superior State at Alaska: The Lakers will try to bounce back from getting swept by MSU in the Soo last weekend but are on the road to Fairbanks where the Nanooks, who are getting some good play lately from junior defenseman Tristen Thompson.
Saturday, December 1, 2018
Mavericks 3, Lakers 0
Freddy's three thoughts from afar:
1. First shutout: Dryden McKay made just 23 saves, but there were a lot of tough ones, especially as he helped the Mavericks kill off five Laker power plays to earn his first collegiate shutout. He made 11 saves in the second period when MSU was called for four penalties. Not an ideal situation, especially on the road, and the rookie helped get his team through it. McKay also got his season save percentage over the .900 threshold. He's now at .909 in seven games (six starts).
2. Road warriors: The road sweep was MSU's first of the season. The Mavericks are now 5-2-0 away from Mankato, and 3-1-0 over these last two weeks at Bemidji and Sault Ste. Marie, neither an easy place to play. The Mavericks will be back home this week to play Alaska Anchorage before going on the road to Bowling Green. Unlike last Saturday, they had a good start to the second game, scoring in the first period (Charlie Gerard's power play goal) and getting timely saves from McKay, including a short-handed breakaway stop in the final seconds of the frame.
3. 20 for Tuomie: Junior forward Parker Tuomie had a goal and an assist and now leads the Mavericks with 20 points (8-12) in 14 games. His center, Marc Michaelis, had an assist after scoring a goal on Friday and has 18 points (9-9). Gerard, the right wing on that line, led MSU with six shots on goal in the game. "Those guys were good at both ends of the rink," coach Mike Hastings said. Gerard now has 12 points (5-7); he had 10 total in his first two seasons.
Deep thought: Shout out to the MSU women's team, which upset No. 6 Ohio State 3-0 on Saturday at the Verizon Center. Freshman goaltender Abigail Levy stopped 41 shots for her third straight shutout and fourth of the season. With the win, the Mavericks improved their unbeaten streak to five games (4-0-1). They have won four games in a row for the first time since November, 2010. Anna Wilgren, Megan Hinze and Brittyn Fleming scored goals, all in the third period. The two teams will play again Sunday afternoon.
Read my writeup here.
Around the WCHA: Michigan Tech 7, Bemidji State 2 ... Bowling Green 6, Alabama Huntsville 2 ... Ferris State at Alaska (late)
1. First shutout: Dryden McKay made just 23 saves, but there were a lot of tough ones, especially as he helped the Mavericks kill off five Laker power plays to earn his first collegiate shutout. He made 11 saves in the second period when MSU was called for four penalties. Not an ideal situation, especially on the road, and the rookie helped get his team through it. McKay also got his season save percentage over the .900 threshold. He's now at .909 in seven games (six starts).
2. Road warriors: The road sweep was MSU's first of the season. The Mavericks are now 5-2-0 away from Mankato, and 3-1-0 over these last two weeks at Bemidji and Sault Ste. Marie, neither an easy place to play. The Mavericks will be back home this week to play Alaska Anchorage before going on the road to Bowling Green. Unlike last Saturday, they had a good start to the second game, scoring in the first period (Charlie Gerard's power play goal) and getting timely saves from McKay, including a short-handed breakaway stop in the final seconds of the frame.
3. 20 for Tuomie: Junior forward Parker Tuomie had a goal and an assist and now leads the Mavericks with 20 points (8-12) in 14 games. His center, Marc Michaelis, had an assist after scoring a goal on Friday and has 18 points (9-9). Gerard, the right wing on that line, led MSU with six shots on goal in the game. "Those guys were good at both ends of the rink," coach Mike Hastings said. Gerard now has 12 points (5-7); he had 10 total in his first two seasons.
Deep thought: Shout out to the MSU women's team, which upset No. 6 Ohio State 3-0 on Saturday at the Verizon Center. Freshman goaltender Abigail Levy stopped 41 shots for her third straight shutout and fourth of the season. With the win, the Mavericks improved their unbeaten streak to five games (4-0-1). They have won four games in a row for the first time since November, 2010. Anna Wilgren, Megan Hinze and Brittyn Fleming scored goals, all in the third period. The two teams will play again Sunday afternoon.
Read my writeup here.
Around the WCHA: Michigan Tech 7, Bemidji State 2 ... Bowling Green 6, Alabama Huntsville 2 ... Ferris State at Alaska (late)
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