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
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