Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Another NCAA disappointment: The Mavericks keep finding new ways to not win in the national tournament, this time jumping out to a 3-0 lead and somehow giving up six unanswered goals, including four power-play goals. That's just not the way this MSU team had done business this year. They had protected leads, killed penalties and won close games. The 11:08 mark of the first period seems like weeks ago. If the Mavericks did have a wart this season it was a penchant for taking some third-period penalties, and Connor Mackey's major for a hit to the head (called after video review) in a 3-3 game was a killer. "Tonight, I thought the one thing that turned the game was a penalty," coach Mike Hastings said, comparing the defeat to last year's 3-2 OT loss to Minnesota Duluth. "As a coach, I’ve got to manage that situation a little bit better."
2. Super start: The Mavericks' quick start was not a fluke. The first goal was a beauty, staring with Wyatt Aamodt's hard body check to jar the puck, Marc Michaelis picking it up to create a 2-on-1 with Parker Tuomie, Tuomie shooting and Charlie Gerard putting back the rebound. Thirty seconds later, Jake Jaremko found his way to the left post, forgotten by the Providence defense, and took a perfect cross-ice pass from Reggie Lutz for the 2-0 lead. Then Nick Rivera turned a turnover into the third goal, stuffing the puck through the goalie's legs. The Mavericks were forcing the issue, and the Friars didn't have an answer. Minnesota State appeared to take a 4-1 lead with 40 seconds left in the first period on another Gerard goal, but the play was ruled offside after review.
3. Looking forward (and backward): The game was the last as a Maverick for Max Coatta. He played 148 career games and scored 52 points. Coatta and just two other seniors, scratches Alec Vanko and Ryan Schwalbe, will graduate from the program. Not sure if others will depart early to pro hockey, but there's always a possibility, right? We may know more in the coming days and weeks. If everybody's back, Minnesota State will again be the WCHA favorite and should be back in the NCAA tournament. While Saturday's results was shocking and disappointing, it shouldn't dampen an otherwise great season with 32 wins, two WCHA championships and one of the best games the Verizon Center has ever seen. Not too much, anyway.
Read my game story here and my fan feature here.
Around the WCHA: Minnesota Duluth 2, Bowling Green 1, OT
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Live: Minnesota State vs. Providence
The No. 3 Mavericks will try to get their first Division I national-tournament win when they play the No. 14 Friars at noon at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. The game is televised on ESPNews. 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, 26-French, 10-McMahan
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 17-Duehr
15-Napravnik
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
7-Aamodt, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
Scratches: Berger, Bigelbach, Carroll, Galambos, Schwalbe, Vanko, Van Os-Shaw
PROVIDENCE
20-Bjorkqvist, 15-Wilkins, 12-Dugan
9-Duhaime, 10-Conway, 27-Thompson
11-Printz, 19-O'Neill, 24-Lemos
8-Tait, 26-McDermott, 17-Kavanagh
22-Sukumaran
18-Bryson, 21-Young
23-Callahan, 2 Desharnais
5-Mirageas, 3-Bunz
31-Hawkey
33-Mollot-Hill
1-Scannell
***
Saturday Morning Skate
Good morning from Providence where Minnesota State will play in the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row. The Mavericks say they hope to use their experience to their advantage, whether that's last year's experience in Sioux Falls or this year's experience in winning close games. Nick Rivera, of course, is one player who can relate to both. Providence has experience, too, as the Friars are making their sixth tourney in a row and, of course, playing in their hometown.
Check out The Free Press' College Hockey Gameday for more on today's matchups.
The Mavericks and Friars are two good defensive teams, so goals may be hard to come by, the Providence Journal's Mark Divver writes, when they face off at noon (CDT).
College Hockey News takes a look at MSU goaltender Dryden McKay and previews the East Regional.
The tournament started on Friday, with UMass defeating Harvard 4-0 and Notre Dame edging Clarkson 3-2 in overtime in the Northeast Regional in Manchester, N.H. In the West Regional in Fargo, Denver beat Ohio State 2-0 and, in the day's big stunner, American International upset No. 1 overall seed St. Cloud State 2-1. It's the second year in a row that the Huskies were No. 1 and were knocked out by a No. 16 seed.
Here's today's schedule:
East Regional
Minnesota State vs. Providence, noon, ESPNews
North Eastern vs. Cornell, 3:30 p.m., ESPNews
Midwest Regional
Minnesota Duluth vs. Bowling Green, 3 p.m., ESPNU
Quinnipiac vs. Arizona State, 6:30 p.m., ESPN3 (streaming)
Northeast Regional championship
UMass vs. Notre Dame, 5:30 p.m., ESPNU
West Regional championships
Denver vs. American International, 7 p.m., ESPNU
Check out The Free Press' College Hockey Gameday for more on today's matchups.
The Mavericks and Friars are two good defensive teams, so goals may be hard to come by, the Providence Journal's Mark Divver writes, when they face off at noon (CDT).
College Hockey News takes a look at MSU goaltender Dryden McKay and previews the East Regional.
The tournament started on Friday, with UMass defeating Harvard 4-0 and Notre Dame edging Clarkson 3-2 in overtime in the Northeast Regional in Manchester, N.H. In the West Regional in Fargo, Denver beat Ohio State 2-0 and, in the day's big stunner, American International upset No. 1 overall seed St. Cloud State 2-1. It's the second year in a row that the Huskies were No. 1 and were knocked out by a No. 16 seed.
Here's today's schedule:
East Regional
Minnesota State vs. Providence, noon, ESPNews
North Eastern vs. Cornell, 3:30 p.m., ESPNews
Midwest Regional
Minnesota Duluth vs. Bowling Green, 3 p.m., ESPNU
Quinnipiac vs. Arizona State, 6:30 p.m., ESPN3 (streaming)
Northeast Regional championship
UMass vs. Notre Dame, 5:30 p.m., ESPNU
West Regional championships
Denver vs. American International, 7 p.m., ESPNU
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Heading to Providence
• This year's season has already been a record-breaker for the Mavericks.
• Minnesota State is seeking that elusive first NCAA Tournament win.
• Looking at the matchup between Minnesota State and Providence.
Keep checking the blog, my Twitter feed, and, of course, The Free Press website (or print edition) for coverage throughout the East Regional.
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
McKay named CHN's top rookie
Minnesota State freshman goaltender Dryden McKay on Wednesday was named College Hockey News' 2018-19 national rookie of the year.
Going into this week's NCAA tournament, McKay is 24-6-2 with a 1.66 goals-against average, tops among all freshman goaltenders and second-best in the country. His .931 save percentage ranks fifth nationally.
The Downers Grove, Illinois, native was the WCHA's goaltending champion with a league-leading 1.36 GAA in conference play. McKay is also a top-10 semifinalist for the Mike Richter Award, which goes to college hockey's top goaltender.
Minnesota State will play Providence in the NCAA East Regional at noon Saturday in Providence, Rhode Island.
Going into this week's NCAA tournament, McKay is 24-6-2 with a 1.66 goals-against average, tops among all freshman goaltenders and second-best in the country. His .931 save percentage ranks fifth nationally.
The Downers Grove, Illinois, native was the WCHA's goaltending champion with a league-leading 1.36 GAA in conference play. McKay is also a top-10 semifinalist for the Mike Richter Award, which goes to college hockey's top goaltender.
Minnesota State will play Providence in the NCAA East Regional at noon Saturday in Providence, Rhode Island.
Sunday, March 24, 2019
On to Providence
Minnesota State will play Providence in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday to open the NCAA Tournament. The Mavericks are the top seed in the East Regional, but they'll have to get by the hometown Friars to win their first DI tournament game.
A lot of people won't like the idea of Providence being a fourth seed and getting to play essentially a home game. The last time that happened, the Friars went on to win the national championship.
“To me, it’s hockey,” coach Mike Hastings said. “We’re going to have to be good to move on.”
The Mavericks (32-7-2) and Friars (22-11-6) will play at noon Saturday at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. The game is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPNews. Northeastern and Cornell will play in the other East Regional game.
St. Cloud State received the No. 1 overall seed and will play American International in Fargo, North Dakota. Ohio State and Denver will meet in the other West Regional matchup.
Minnesota Duluth is the No. 2 overall seed and will play Bowling Green in the Midwest Regional in Allentown, Pennsylvania, with Arizona State and Quinnipiac playing in the other game.
In the Northeast Regional in Manchester, New Hampshire, No. 4 overall seed Massachusetts will play Harvard, and Notre Dame will play Clarkson.
Minnesota State is expected to release ticket information for the regional sometime Monday.
Read more in my Free Press story here.
Mavericks 3, Falcons 2 (OT)
 |
| Photo by Pat Christman |
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. What. A. Game: The Mavericks pulled off the miracle win, scoring two late goals with an extra attacker to tie the game and then won it in overtime on a Nick Rivera goal. I don't think I've ever heard the Verizon Center so loud as when Connor Mackey tied it with a bomb of a shot with 55.9 seconds remaining in regulation. "It was awesome," said Jake Jaremko, who scored the Mavericks' first goal. Official attendance was 5,327, the fourth-largest in MSU history. It was a jam-packed arena. Another comment from Rivera about the crowd: "That’s something you've got to take pride in. We try to do our best to make it a hard place to play. (The fans) step up night in and night out. They're the reason it's hard to play in this building. ... They’re bringing the energy."
2. Playing with poise: The Falcons really frustrated the Mavericks for most of the game with their stellar defense. "I thought we took away time and space and played hard, which is who we are when we're playing our best," BG coach Chris Bergeron said. But when MSU pulled their goalie, they weren't panicked, even if they were in desperation mode. "It's something I think the guys are more than comfortable doing," MSU coach Mike Hastings said. "It's something consistently that we work on. I think at that time it’s really important to play with poise. It's easy for a coach to tell you to do that. It’s another thing for an athlete to go and do it."
3. Appreciate that game: Already, the social media is blowing up with speculation about the NCAA Tournament field, which will get announced at 6 p.m. Sunday. That's to be expected. The consensus seems to be that the Mavericks will be the top seed at Providence and play ... wait for it ... Providence. And there will be much gnashing of teeth about that. But for now, enjoy that game and, if you were there, that atmosphere, as well as that championship.
Read my game story here.
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Live: Mavericks vs. Falcons, WCHA Championship
The Mavericks and Falcons will play for the Jeff Sauer Trophy at 7:07 p.m. at the Verizon 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, 26-French, 10-McMahan
22-Gerads, 11-Spooners, 15-Napravnik
17-Duehr
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
7-Aamodt, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
31-Berger
Scratches: Bigelbach, Carroll, Galambos, Schwalbe, Vanko, Van Os-Shaw
BOWLING GREEN
13-Baylis, 20-Ford, 29-Schilling
22-L. Craggs, 10-Johnson, 28-Kruse
26-S. Craggs, 11-Schneider, 8-Letourneau
17-Linkenheld, 6-Barber, 16-Wright
23-Rauhauser, 4-McDonald
5-Smith, 12-Pohlkamp
27-Theochardis, 2-Cullen
21-Dalton
35-Bednard
31-Dop
***
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 26-French, 10-McMahan
22-Gerads, 11-Spooners, 15-Napravnik
17-Duehr
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
7-Aamodt, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
31-Berger
Scratches: Bigelbach, Carroll, Galambos, Schwalbe, Vanko, Van Os-Shaw
BOWLING GREEN
13-Baylis, 20-Ford, 29-Schilling
22-L. Craggs, 10-Johnson, 28-Kruse
26-S. Craggs, 11-Schneider, 8-Letourneau
17-Linkenheld, 6-Barber, 16-Wright
23-Rauhauser, 4-McDonald
5-Smith, 12-Pohlkamp
27-Theochardis, 2-Cullen
21-Dalton
35-Bednard
31-Dop
***
Saturday Morning Skate
Happy St. Sauer's Day!
The WCHA playoff championship game takes place today between Minnesota State and Bowling Green. These are two teams that have really relied on their depth this season, getting good scoring and defense up and down their lineups.
"I think our biggest strength is that we don't have to rely on one one particular line a night," said Parker Tuomie, the team's second-leading scorer and the ringleader behind the players' bleached hair.
For more about the matchup, check out the Free Press' College Hockey Gameday feature.
An update on that: After last night's semifinals in other conferences, Minnesota State is now No. 2 in the Pairwise Rankings, and Bowling Green is No. 12. While the Mavericks are pretty much locked in as a No. 1 seed for next week's NCAA tournament no matter what happens tonight, the Falcons still aren't completely safe. It appears they either need to win the Jeff Sauer Trophy and get the auto-bid, or they need Northeastern to knock off upset-minded Boston College in the Hockey East final. Either way, the Falcons want to leave nothing to chance and hope to bring their A game tonight against the Mavericks.
Here are the other conference championship games being played today:
Hockey East: Boston College vs. Northeastern, 6 p.m.
ECAC: Clarkson vs. Cornell, 6:30 p.m.
Atlantic Hockey: Niagara vs. American International, 6:35 p.m.
Big Ten: Penn State at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
NCHC: Minnesota Duluth vs. St. Cloud State, 7:38 p.m.
The NCHC also has a third-place game this afternoon between Colorado College and Denver.
It's going to be busy in downtown Mankato today with an expected sell-out crowd at the hockey game as well as a concert going on next door at the Grand Hall. So officials are expecting people to get there early to find parking and get into the arena. Doors will open at 5:45 p.m., and there will be concession specials in the lobby before the concourses open.
The WCHA playoff championship game takes place today between Minnesota State and Bowling Green. These are two teams that have really relied on their depth this season, getting good scoring and defense up and down their lineups.
"I think our biggest strength is that we don't have to rely on one one particular line a night," said Parker Tuomie, the team's second-leading scorer and the ringleader behind the players' bleached hair.
For more about the matchup, check out the Free Press' College Hockey Gameday feature.
An update on that: After last night's semifinals in other conferences, Minnesota State is now No. 2 in the Pairwise Rankings, and Bowling Green is No. 12. While the Mavericks are pretty much locked in as a No. 1 seed for next week's NCAA tournament no matter what happens tonight, the Falcons still aren't completely safe. It appears they either need to win the Jeff Sauer Trophy and get the auto-bid, or they need Northeastern to knock off upset-minded Boston College in the Hockey East final. Either way, the Falcons want to leave nothing to chance and hope to bring their A game tonight against the Mavericks.
Here are the other conference championship games being played today:
Hockey East: Boston College vs. Northeastern, 6 p.m.
ECAC: Clarkson vs. Cornell, 6:30 p.m.
Atlantic Hockey: Niagara vs. American International, 6:35 p.m.
Big Ten: Penn State at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
NCHC: Minnesota Duluth vs. St. Cloud State, 7:38 p.m.
The NCHC also has a third-place game this afternoon between Colorado College and Denver.
It's going to be busy in downtown Mankato today with an expected sell-out crowd at the hockey game as well as a concert going on next door at the Grand Hall. So officials are expecting people to get there early to find parking and get into the arena. Doors will open at 5:45 p.m., and there will be concession specials in the lobby before the concourses open.
Just a reminder in event you didn't see this earlier. @VerizonCenterMN opens at 5:45 p.m. for #2/3 Minnesota State vs #13 @BGathletics for @WCHA_MHockey championship Saturday Also...@NCAAIceHockey Selection Show Sunday at @Pub500 #HornsUp #PlayingfortheJeff #LetsssGooo pic.twitter.com/yfcJGW6Uhm— Minn. St. Athletics (@msumavericks) March 23, 2019
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Puckato's picks
On Tuesday, the WCHA announced some of its individual awards, with the Mavericks' Mike Hastings winning Coach of the Year and Max Coatta winning Student-Athlete of the Year. Media members used to get a ballot for postseason awards, but that went away when the new WCHA was formed. Now, it's just the coaches who vote.
So, for what it's worth, here's how I probably would have voted for the WCHA awards:
Player of the year: This officially gets announced on Thursday, and the candidates are Tuesday's player award winners (offensive, defenseman, goaltender, rookie), which is an odd way to do your finalists. Anyway, I debated between Northern Michigan's Troy Loggins and Lake Superior State's Diego Cuglietta. It was really close, but I'll give Loggins the nod as the top point guy and goal scorer.
Rookie of the year: To me, this is a no-brainer, although it's not who the coaches picked. Ferris State defenseman Cooper Zech had a great year, leading all rookies in scoring and doing it from the blue line. He was also only plus-3 on a ninth-place team. Minnesota State goaltender Dryden McKay is the clear choice here. His numbers (.941, 1.35 in conference play) speak for themselves, and his position was MSU's biggest question mark going into the season.
Coach of the year: Tough call here. Hastings won it with a team that was the favorite going into the season, but also one that had no returning goaltenders and needed to replace two 43-point and an All-American defenseman. Still, I was leaning toward Damon Whitten of Lake Superior State. Although, I don't necessarily always vote for the coach of the so-called surprise team (which was how Troy Jutting won two COYs), the Lakers went from ninth place and missing the playoffs to fourth place and home ice for the first round.
All-WCHA
FIRST TEAM
F Troy Loggins, Northern Michigan
F Diego Cuglietta, Lake Superior State
F Marc Michaelis, Minnesota State
D Philip Beaulieu, Northern Michigan
D Justin Baudry, Bemidji State
G Dryden McKay, Minnesota State
SECOND TEAM
F Parker Tuomie, Minnesota State
F Brandon Kruse, Bowling Green
F Anthony Nellis, Lake Superior State
D Ian Scheid, Minnesota State
D Connor Mackey, Minnesota State
G Atte Tolvanen, Northern Michigan
THIRD TEAM
F Adam Rockwood, Northern Michigan
F Max Johnson, Bowling Green
F Max Humitz, Lake Superior State
D Alec Rauhauser, Bowling Green
D Colin Saccoman, Lake Superior State
G Ryan Bednard, Bowling Green
ROOKIE TEAM
F Julian Napravnik, Minnesota State
F Brian Halonen, Michigan Tech
F Ashton Calder, Lake Superior State
D Cooper, Zech, Ferris State
D Chris Jandric, Alaska
G Dryden McKay, Minnesota State
So, for what it's worth, here's how I probably would have voted for the WCHA awards:
Player of the year: This officially gets announced on Thursday, and the candidates are Tuesday's player award winners (offensive, defenseman, goaltender, rookie), which is an odd way to do your finalists. Anyway, I debated between Northern Michigan's Troy Loggins and Lake Superior State's Diego Cuglietta. It was really close, but I'll give Loggins the nod as the top point guy and goal scorer.
Rookie of the year: To me, this is a no-brainer, although it's not who the coaches picked. Ferris State defenseman Cooper Zech had a great year, leading all rookies in scoring and doing it from the blue line. He was also only plus-3 on a ninth-place team. Minnesota State goaltender Dryden McKay is the clear choice here. His numbers (.941, 1.35 in conference play) speak for themselves, and his position was MSU's biggest question mark going into the season.
Coach of the year: Tough call here. Hastings won it with a team that was the favorite going into the season, but also one that had no returning goaltenders and needed to replace two 43-point and an All-American defenseman. Still, I was leaning toward Damon Whitten of Lake Superior State. Although, I don't necessarily always vote for the coach of the so-called surprise team (which was how Troy Jutting won two COYs), the Lakers went from ninth place and missing the playoffs to fourth place and home ice for the first round.
All-WCHA
FIRST TEAM
F Troy Loggins, Northern Michigan
F Diego Cuglietta, Lake Superior State
F Marc Michaelis, Minnesota State
D Philip Beaulieu, Northern Michigan
D Justin Baudry, Bemidji State
G Dryden McKay, Minnesota State
SECOND TEAM
F Parker Tuomie, Minnesota State
F Brandon Kruse, Bowling Green
F Anthony Nellis, Lake Superior State
D Ian Scheid, Minnesota State
D Connor Mackey, Minnesota State
G Atte Tolvanen, Northern Michigan
THIRD TEAM
F Adam Rockwood, Northern Michigan
F Max Johnson, Bowling Green
F Max Humitz, Lake Superior State
D Alec Rauhauser, Bowling Green
D Colin Saccoman, Lake Superior State
G Ryan Bednard, Bowling Green
ROOKIE TEAM
F Julian Napravnik, Minnesota State
F Brian Halonen, Michigan Tech
F Ashton Calder, Lake Superior State
D Cooper, Zech, Ferris State
D Chris Jandric, Alaska
G Dryden McKay, Minnesota State
Monday, March 18, 2019
Two Mavericks receive league honors
Minnesota State's Julian Napravnik and Dryden McKay received WCHA weekly awards following last weekend's WCHA playoff semifinal sweep over Lake Superior State.
Also Monday, 10 MSU players were named WCHA Scholar-Athletes, including three-time winners Max Coatta, Ryan Schwalbe and Alec Vanko. The others were Michael Bigelbach, Josh French, Edwin Hookenson, Shane McMahan, Jack McNeely, Nick Rivera and Jared Spooner. Bigelbach, French, Hookenson and Rivera are second-time recipients.
Napravnik was named the league's Rookie of the Week, scored one goal and had eight shots in the 2-1 and 2-0 victories. His goal on Saturday opened the scoring and stood as the game-winner, his second GWG of the season. Napravnik has eight goals and 21 points in 39 games. It was the second time he was named Rookie of the Week.
McKay was named Goaltender of the Week for the fourth time this season and earned his fifth weekly award (he earned one rookie nod) after stopping 51 of 52 shots in the series, 20 on Friday and 31 on Saturday. That included helping blank the Lakers on eight power-play chances. His shutout Saturday was his fourth of the season. He's now 23-6-2 with a .932 save percentage and 1.65 goals-against average.
Also Monday, 10 MSU players were named WCHA Scholar-Athletes, including three-time winners Max Coatta, Ryan Schwalbe and Alec Vanko. The others were Michael Bigelbach, Josh French, Edwin Hookenson, Shane McMahan, Jack McNeely, Nick Rivera and Jared Spooner. Bigelbach, French, Hookenson and Rivera are second-time recipients.
To earn recognition as a WCHA Scholar-Athlete, student-athletes must have completed at least one year of residency at their present institution prior to the current academic year and must also have a GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale for the previous two semesters or three quarters, or a 3.5 GPA for all terms at their present institution.
The Mavericks remained No. 2 in the USCHO rankings and No. 3 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll.
Saturday, March 16, 2019
Mavericks 2, Lakers 0
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. On to the final: For the first time in the three-year history of the current WCHA playoff format, Minnesota State is in playoff championship game. The Mavericks will host the final and play for the Jeff Sauer Trophy next Saturday against Bowling Green, a team they went 0-2 against in the regular season. MSU last played in the championship game in 2016, losing to Ferris State 2-1 in the Final Five title game at Grand Rapids, Mich. They last won it in 2015 in St. Paul, beating Michigan Tech 5-2. "To have an opportunity to win a championship in our building, that's something special," senior captain Max Coatta said. "We're going to be fired up for sure."
2. Good D: I wrote a lot about goaltender Dryden McKay and his 31-save shutout in my gamer (linked below), so please give that a read, but his defense was again good in front of him, especially in the first and third periods. There was some exceptional play by a couple of guys who go a bit unnoticed, Riese Zmolek and Jack McNeely. McNeely might have played his best weekend of hockey, according to associate head coach Todd Knott. "I think all of us know coming into it that it was going to be a grind," Zmolek said. "After (Friday) night, we knew it was going to be a battle until the end of the game." The Mavericks have gone the last 15 games without giving up more than two goals in a game.
3. Special team: The Mavericks won their 31st game of the season, a team record. They tied the previous record of 30 on Friday, a mark set by the 1980 Division II national championship team. They scored two power-play goals on the same major in the first period for a 2-0 lead they held from that point forward. Julian Napravnik and Reggie Lutz scored the goals, both on nice plays. The Mavericks also killed off all three of the Lakers' power plays, eight for the series. In those eight short-handed situations, they allowed just four shots to get to McKay, two each night.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Bowling Green swept Northern Michigan at Marquette, winning Saturday's game 2-1 in double-overtime. Sam Craggs scored the game-winner at 2:09. Shots were 43-41 in favor of the Falcons — 40 saves for winning goalie Ryan Bernard and 41 for Atte Tolvanen.
1. On to the final: For the first time in the three-year history of the current WCHA playoff format, Minnesota State is in playoff championship game. The Mavericks will host the final and play for the Jeff Sauer Trophy next Saturday against Bowling Green, a team they went 0-2 against in the regular season. MSU last played in the championship game in 2016, losing to Ferris State 2-1 in the Final Five title game at Grand Rapids, Mich. They last won it in 2015 in St. Paul, beating Michigan Tech 5-2. "To have an opportunity to win a championship in our building, that's something special," senior captain Max Coatta said. "We're going to be fired up for sure."
2. Good D: I wrote a lot about goaltender Dryden McKay and his 31-save shutout in my gamer (linked below), so please give that a read, but his defense was again good in front of him, especially in the first and third periods. There was some exceptional play by a couple of guys who go a bit unnoticed, Riese Zmolek and Jack McNeely. McNeely might have played his best weekend of hockey, according to associate head coach Todd Knott. "I think all of us know coming into it that it was going to be a grind," Zmolek said. "After (Friday) night, we knew it was going to be a battle until the end of the game." The Mavericks have gone the last 15 games without giving up more than two goals in a game.
3. Special team: The Mavericks won their 31st game of the season, a team record. They tied the previous record of 30 on Friday, a mark set by the 1980 Division II national championship team. They scored two power-play goals on the same major in the first period for a 2-0 lead they held from that point forward. Julian Napravnik and Reggie Lutz scored the goals, both on nice plays. The Mavericks also killed off all three of the Lakers' power plays, eight for the series. In those eight short-handed situations, they allowed just four shots to get to McKay, two each night.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Bowling Green swept Northern Michigan at Marquette, winning Saturday's game 2-1 in double-overtime. Sam Craggs scored the game-winner at 2:09. Shots were 43-41 in favor of the Falcons — 40 saves for winning goalie Ryan Bernard and 41 for Atte Tolvanen.
Live: MSU vs. Lake Superior State, Game 2
The Mavericks and Lakers meet in Game 2 of their WCHA semifinal series. Minnesota State won Game 1 on Friday 2-1. Win tonight, and MSU will advance to next week's championship game. Lose and a decisive third game will take place on Sunday night. Follow along with the live action below tonight's lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 26-French, 17-Duehr
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 15-Napravnik
10-McMahan
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
31-Berger
Scratches: Aamodt, Bigelbach, Galambos, Schwalbe, Van Os-Shaw, Vanko
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE
26-Veillette, 24-Eriksson, 25-Karlsson
21-Humitz, 8-Cuglietta, 19-Nellis
11-Gelsinger, 29-Torrel, 16-Calder
18-Basilico, 10-McKay, 17-Gamelin
14-Miura
3-Riedell, 4-Anderson
27-Ruggiero, 23-Saccoman
22-Kaelble, 15-Nordqvist
33-Kossoff
30-Mitens
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 26-French, 17-Duehr
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 15-Napravnik
10-McMahan
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
31-Berger
Scratches: Aamodt, Bigelbach, Galambos, Schwalbe, Van Os-Shaw, Vanko
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE
26-Veillette, 24-Eriksson, 25-Karlsson
21-Humitz, 8-Cuglietta, 19-Nellis
11-Gelsinger, 29-Torrel, 16-Calder
18-Basilico, 10-McKay, 17-Gamelin
14-Miura
3-Riedell, 4-Anderson
27-Ruggiero, 23-Saccoman
22-Kaelble, 15-Nordqvist
33-Kossoff
30-Mitens
***
Mavericks 2, Lakers 1
Freddy's three thoughts of the game. ...
1. Playoff win: Like last week against Alabama Huntsville, Friday's game against Lake Superior State wasn't always pretty, but as coach Mike Hastings said afterward, the goal is to win and move on and that's what the Mavericks did. They did it with a couple of timely goals in the first period, a tough penalty kill in the third and continued good goaltending throughout, surviving a physical game against what I believe is a really good Lakers team.
2. Charles in charge: Charlie Gerard was one of the most explosive players in the game, scoring a beauty of a goal in the first period to tie things at 1-all. His backhander over goalie Nick Kossoff's shoulder finished off a play in which Parker Tuomie threaded a pass off the boards to him after a D-zone faceoff win by Marc Michaelis. Gerard used his speed to get behind a defenseman before receiving the pass. Later, Gerard used his speed to draw a penalty shot, although Kossoff stopped him on the try.
3. Rules, rules rules: Gerard's penalty shot drew much attention, as it appeared that he scored on the play that led to the penalty. After being hauled down, he slid across the ice, and the puck went off his hip and into the net. Officials reviewed the play, and it seemed like the Mavericks would have a 3-1 lead and a power play instead of the penalty shot. However it was ruled no goal after review. You can read Hastings' comments on the play in my gamer (linked below), but I did find this in the NCAA rulebook tonight:
Rule 83.6 Disallowed Goals - An apparent goal shall not be allowed by the Referee in any of the following cases: ...
• If an attacking player throws, bats or propels the puck into the goal with any part of the body.
Was this the rule that was applied? Was it the right interpretation?*
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Bowling Green 6, Northern Michigan 1 (visiting Falcons take 1-0 lead over Falcons).
* Rule 83.6 also includes this bullet point. Not sure if it was in place in 2015, but I believe it to be the #palmquistwaspushed rule that was incorrectly applied in the NCAA Tournament against RIT:
• If a defending player has been pushed, shoved, or fouled by an attacking player and this action causes the defending player to come into contact with the goalkeeper, such contact shall be deemed initiated by the attacking player. If necessary a penalty shall be assessed to the attacking player and if a goal is scored it would be disallowed.
1. Playoff win: Like last week against Alabama Huntsville, Friday's game against Lake Superior State wasn't always pretty, but as coach Mike Hastings said afterward, the goal is to win and move on and that's what the Mavericks did. They did it with a couple of timely goals in the first period, a tough penalty kill in the third and continued good goaltending throughout, surviving a physical game against what I believe is a really good Lakers team.
2. Charles in charge: Charlie Gerard was one of the most explosive players in the game, scoring a beauty of a goal in the first period to tie things at 1-all. His backhander over goalie Nick Kossoff's shoulder finished off a play in which Parker Tuomie threaded a pass off the boards to him after a D-zone faceoff win by Marc Michaelis. Gerard used his speed to get behind a defenseman before receiving the pass. Later, Gerard used his speed to draw a penalty shot, although Kossoff stopped him on the try.
3. Rules, rules rules: Gerard's penalty shot drew much attention, as it appeared that he scored on the play that led to the penalty. After being hauled down, he slid across the ice, and the puck went off his hip and into the net. Officials reviewed the play, and it seemed like the Mavericks would have a 3-1 lead and a power play instead of the penalty shot. However it was ruled no goal after review. You can read Hastings' comments on the play in my gamer (linked below), but I did find this in the NCAA rulebook tonight:
Rule 83.6 Disallowed Goals - An apparent goal shall not be allowed by the Referee in any of the following cases: ...
• If an attacking player throws, bats or propels the puck into the goal with any part of the body.
Was this the rule that was applied? Was it the right interpretation?*
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Bowling Green 6, Northern Michigan 1 (visiting Falcons take 1-0 lead over Falcons).
* Rule 83.6 also includes this bullet point. Not sure if it was in place in 2015, but I believe it to be the #palmquistwaspushed rule that was incorrectly applied in the NCAA Tournament against RIT:
• If a defending player has been pushed, shoved, or fouled by an attacking player and this action causes the defending player to come into contact with the goalkeeper, such contact shall be deemed initiated by the attacking player. If necessary a penalty shall be assessed to the attacking player and if a goal is scored it would be disallowed.
Friday, March 15, 2019
Live: Minnesota State vs. Lake Superior State
The No. 2 Mavericks and No. 20 Lakers will play in Game 1 of a WCHA semifinal series. 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, 26-French, 17-Duehr
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 15-Napravnik
10-McMahan
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
31-Berger
Scratches: Aamodt, Bigelbach, Galambos, Schwalbe, Van Os-Shaw, Vanko
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE
26-Veillette, 24-Eriksson, 25-Karlsson
21-Humitz, 8-Cuglietta, 19-Nellis
11-Gelsinger, 29-Torrel, 16-Calder
18-Basilico, 10-McKay, 17-Gamelin
14-Miura
3-Riedell, 4-Anderson
27-Ruggiero, 23-Saccoman
22-Kaelble, 15-Nordqvist
33-Kossoff
30-Mitens
***
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 26-French, 17-Duehr
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 15-Napravnik
10-McMahan
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
31-Berger
Scratches: Aamodt, Bigelbach, Galambos, Schwalbe, Van Os-Shaw, Vanko
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE
26-Veillette, 24-Eriksson, 25-Karlsson
21-Humitz, 8-Cuglietta, 19-Nellis
11-Gelsinger, 29-Torrel, 16-Calder
18-Basilico, 10-McKay, 17-Gamelin
14-Miura
3-Riedell, 4-Anderson
27-Ruggiero, 23-Saccoman
22-Kaelble, 15-Nordqvist
33-Kossoff
30-Mitens
***
Friday Morning Skate
It's WCHA semifinal weekend, and the No. 2-ranked Mavericks will host No. 20 Lake Superior State in a best-of-three series at the Verizon Center. Minnesota State is hoping to get past this round and to the championship game for the first time since 2016. It lost in three games to Michigan Tech the last two years.
"It's about taking steps," coach Mike Hastings said. "Last weekend [a first-round win over Alabama Huntsville] was another step. Our regular season was about trying to be in this spot. Now it's up to us to take advantage of it."
Besides the usual suspects who were named to the various All-WCHA teams on Thursday, a player who could be a big factor as the postseason wears on is sophomore center Jared Spooner, a strong, hard, fast player who has done a lot of different things well this season. The youngest of six kids, his style of play just might be the direct result of his upbringing in North Dakota.
"I think this time of year you is where you just really settle in, you simplify your game and pull your piece of the rope," he said, "and that just leads to team success."
Lake Superior State is the only team to beat MSU on its home ice this season and is 14-4-0 away from home.
"They're good," Hastings said. "They have veteran leadership, depth up front and their blue line is big, mobile and productive offensively. Damon (Whitten) and his staff have done a very good job. It will be a challenge for us."
For more on the series, check out the Freep's College Hockey Gameday and five things to look for this weekend.
"It's about taking steps," coach Mike Hastings said. "Last weekend [a first-round win over Alabama Huntsville] was another step. Our regular season was about trying to be in this spot. Now it's up to us to take advantage of it."
Besides the usual suspects who were named to the various All-WCHA teams on Thursday, a player who could be a big factor as the postseason wears on is sophomore center Jared Spooner, a strong, hard, fast player who has done a lot of different things well this season. The youngest of six kids, his style of play just might be the direct result of his upbringing in North Dakota.
"I think this time of year you is where you just really settle in, you simplify your game and pull your piece of the rope," he said, "and that just leads to team success."
Lake Superior State is the only team to beat MSU on its home ice this season and is 14-4-0 away from home.
"They're good," Hastings said. "They have veteran leadership, depth up front and their blue line is big, mobile and productive offensively. Damon (Whitten) and his staff have done a very good job. It will be a challenge for us."
For more on the series, check out the Freep's College Hockey Gameday and five things to look for this weekend.
In this weekend's other semifinals series, Northern Michigan hosts No. 15 Bowling Green. The Wildcats are looking to get to the championship game for the second year in a row, while the Falcons are looking to get there for the second time in three years, playing the team that kept them out a year ago. It's also the fourth time in nine years that the two teams are meeting in the postseason.
College Hockey News and USCHO also take a look at WCHA semifinal weekend.
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Six Mavericks named All-WCHA
Six Minnesota State players were chosen as all-conference players by the Western Collegiate Hockey Association on Thursday.
Junior center Marc Michaelis, the team’s leading scorer, was the only All-WCHA First Team pick for the league’s regular-season champions. Michaelis has 19 goals and 39 points this season. It’s the second year in a row that he’s on the First Team.
The WCHA will announce its individual award winners on March 21.
Here are the All-WCHA teams:
First Team
Forwards: Troy Loggins, NMU; Diego Cuglietta, LSSU; Marc Michaelis, MSU. Defensemen: Philip Beaulieu, NMU; Cooper Zech, FSU. Goalie: Atte Tolvanen, NMU.
Second Team
Forwards: Brandon Kruse, BG; Parker Tuomie, MSU; Adam Rockwood, NMU. Defensemen: Justin Baudry, BSU; Alec Rauhauser, BG. Goalie: Dryden McKay, MSU.
Third Team
Forwards: Steven Jandric, UAF; Max Humitz, LSSU; Anthony Nellis, LSSU. Defensemen: Connor Mackey, MSU; Ian Scheid, MSU. Goalie: Ryand Bednard, BG.
Rookie Team
Forwards: Brian Halonen, MTU; Julian Napravnik, MSU; Owen Sillinger, BSU; Ashton Calder, LSSU. Defensemen: Cooper Zech, FSU; Chris Jandric, UAF. Goalie: Dryden McKay, MSU.
Junior center Marc Michaelis, the team’s leading scorer, was the only All-WCHA First Team pick for the league’s regular-season champions. Michaelis has 19 goals and 39 points this season. It’s the second year in a row that he’s on the First Team.
Junior winger Parker Tuomie and freshman goaltender Dryden McKay were named to the Second Team. Two defensemen, sophomore Connor Mackey and junior Ian Scheid were selected to the Third Team.
McKay and forward Julian Napravnik were selected to the Rookie Team.
McKay and forward Julian Napravnik were selected to the Rookie Team.
The WCHA will announce its individual award winners on March 21.
Here are the All-WCHA teams:
First Team
Forwards: Troy Loggins, NMU; Diego Cuglietta, LSSU; Marc Michaelis, MSU. Defensemen: Philip Beaulieu, NMU; Cooper Zech, FSU. Goalie: Atte Tolvanen, NMU.
Second Team
Forwards: Brandon Kruse, BG; Parker Tuomie, MSU; Adam Rockwood, NMU. Defensemen: Justin Baudry, BSU; Alec Rauhauser, BG. Goalie: Dryden McKay, MSU.
Third Team
Forwards: Steven Jandric, UAF; Max Humitz, LSSU; Anthony Nellis, LSSU. Defensemen: Connor Mackey, MSU; Ian Scheid, MSU. Goalie: Ryand Bednard, BG.
Rookie Team
Forwards: Brian Halonen, MTU; Julian Napravnik, MSU; Owen Sillinger, BSU; Ashton Calder, LSSU. Defensemen: Cooper Zech, FSU; Chris Jandric, UAF. Goalie: Dryden McKay, MSU.
McKay named semifinalist for Richter Award
Minnesota State freshman goaltender Dryden McKay on Thursday was named one of 10 semi-finalists for the Mike Richter Award which honors the most outstanding goaltender in men's college hockey.
McKay is 21-6-2 with a .928 save percentage and a 1.72 goals-against average, tops among first-year goaltenders in all three categories in Division I hockey. He has started 24 of MSU's last 26 games.
The other semifinalists are:
Joey Daccord, Arizona State
Hayden Hawkey, Providence
Jake Kielly, Clarkson
Stefanos Lekkas, Vermont
Cale Morris, Notre Dame
Tommy Nappier, Ohio State
Cayden Primeau, Northeastern
Hunter Shepard, Minnesota Duluth
Andrew Shortridge, Quinnipiac
Hayden Hawkey, Providence
Jake Kielly, Clarkson
Stefanos Lekkas, Vermont
Cale Morris, Notre Dame
Tommy Nappier, Ohio State
Cayden Primeau, Northeastern
Hunter Shepard, Minnesota Duluth
Andrew Shortridge, Quinnipiac
Let's Play Hockey and the Herb Brooks Foundation are co-sponsors of the Mike Richter Award. The five finalists will be announced on Thursday, March 28, with the winner presented at the Frozen Four in Buffalo, New York.
Candidates are determined by nominations from all 60 NCAA Division I head coaches. The semifinalists, finalists and winner are selected by a committee of coaches, scouts and members of the media.
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Mavericks 4, Chargers 1
 |
| Photo by Jackson Forderer |
1. Call on Line 2: I wrote a bit about Reggie Lutz in my gamer (linked below), but the whole second line of Lutz, Jake Jaremko and Max Coatta was excellent — really all weekend. Lutz scored two goals, Jaremko had two assists and Coatta had one assist. "We’re drawing a lot of positivity from them," coach Mike Hastings said, "a lot energy because they played the game the right way the entire weekend."
2. More Michaelis: Marc Michaels (pictured) had another one-timer goal, giving him three for the weekend and giving him a team-leading 19 goals and 39 points for the season. His linemate, Parker Tuomie assisted on his goal and scored another on a pretty play with Charlie Gerard. Tuomie now has 37 points. Gerard has 27 points. All of the team's points Saturday, except for an assist to defenseman Connor Mackey, were scored by players on the top two forward lines.
3. Killer instinct: The Mavericks killed off all seven of Huntsville's power plays, some excellent work considering Josh French was out of the lineup after taking a puck to the head on Friday. Hastings praised the play of Shane McMahan and Jared Spooner as they picked up some of the slack with French out. MSU doesn't usually go to the box a ton, so that's something that will have to be cleaned up before the semifinals. In all, the Mavericks and Chargers combined for 20 penalties for 48 minutes.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: The top four seeds all swept their first-round series. In Saturday's other games, Lake Superior State defeated Bemidji State 3-1, Northern Michigan beat Alaska 4-3 and Bowling Green topped Michigan Tech 6-2. Minnesota State will host Lake Superior State in next week's semifinals, and Northern Michigan will host Bowling Green.
Minnesota State vs. Alabama Huntsville, Game 2
The No. 4 Mavericks will go for the series sweep when they play the Chargers in Game 2 of their WCHA first-round playoff series. Game time is 4:07 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
19-Van Os-Shaw, 11-Spooner, 17-Duehr
23-Rivera, 10-McMahan, 15-Napravnik
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
31-Berger
Scratches: Bigelbach, French, Galambos, Gerads, Schwalbe, Vanko
ALABAMA HUNTSVILLE
26-Jeffers, 15-Gorowsky, 18-Beaulieu
13-Allen, 14-Dunn, 7-Neudecker
19-Salerno, 10-Dodson, 11-Ohrvall
6-Rappleyea, 25-Wilcox, 16-Wood
20-Newton, 8-Teets
4-James, 3-Lennon
28-Gosselin, 2-Knight
22-Finnson
30-Sinclair
1-Theut
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
19-Van Os-Shaw, 11-Spooner, 17-Duehr
23-Rivera, 10-McMahan, 15-Napravnik
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
7-Aamodt
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
31-Berger
Scratches: Bigelbach, French, Galambos, Gerads, Schwalbe, Vanko
ALABAMA HUNTSVILLE
26-Jeffers, 15-Gorowsky, 18-Beaulieu
13-Allen, 14-Dunn, 7-Neudecker
19-Salerno, 10-Dodson, 11-Ohrvall
6-Rappleyea, 25-Wilcox, 16-Wood
20-Newton, 8-Teets
4-James, 3-Lennon
28-Gosselin, 2-Knight
22-Finnson
30-Sinclair
1-Theut
***
Friday, March 8, 2019
Mavericks 3, Chargers 1
 |
| Photo by Jackson Forderer |
1. Series lead: It wasn't the prettiest game, but the Mavericks got the win and the 1-0 advantage against a tenacious Chargers team. Marc Michaelis' newfound one-timer was the difference in the game as he blasted home two of them during major power plays. You can read more about Michaelis' shot in my gamer (linked below).
2. Special team: Special teams were the key as not only did MSU score two power-play goals, but they killed off four penalties of their own, three in the second period. "We took a few too many penalties in the second period," coach Mike Hastings said, noting that the two teams were called for 11 minutes worth of penalties in the middle frame. "There wasn’t a lot of flow to the game, so it can get frustrating. I really liked the way we stayed with it. Didn’t get frustrated."
3. Duehr or Duehr not: Walker Duehr was listed as the 19th skater on the line chart, a man without a line. But Hastings said that spot really doesn’t go ignored come game time, and the sophomore forward scored the game's first goal, putting back the rebound of a Nick Rivera chance. “When we go to 13 forwards, I try to use that as an opportunity to get everybody involved,” the coach said. “That was his first shift. We talked about a few things this week that we thought he could do better. I was glad to see him on that far post. He’s trying to become more consistent. I thought he was tonight.”
Deep thought: Saturday's game time has been moved to 4:07 p.m.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Northern Michigan 5, Alaska 4 (2OT) ... Lake Superior State 4, Bemidji State 2 ... Bowling Green 3, Michigan Tech 2
Minnesota State vs. Alabama Huntsville
The No. 4 Mavericks begin WCHA tournament play tonight against Alabama Huntsville in a best-of-three series. Faceoff is at 7:07 p.m. Saturday's game has been moved to 4:07 p.m. due to the expected snowstorm. Follow along with the action below tonight's lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
19-Van Os-Shaw, 11-Spooner, 15-Napravnik
23-Rivera, 26-French, 10-McMahan
17-Duehr
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
7-Aamodt, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
31-Berger
Scratches: Carroll, Bigelbach, Galambos, Gerads, Schwalbe, Vanko
ALABAMA HUNTSVILLE
26-Jeffers, 15-Gorowsky, 18-Beaulieu
13-Allen, 14-Dunn, 7-Neudecker
19-Salerno, 10-Dodson, 11-Ohrvall
12-Merkley, 25-Wilcox, 16-Wood
20-Newton, 8-Teets
4-James, 3-Lennon
28-Gosselin, 2-Knight
22-Finnson
30-Sinclair
1-Theut
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
19-Van Os-Shaw, 11-Spooner, 15-Napravnik
23-Rivera, 26-French, 10-McMahan
17-Duehr
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
7-Aamodt, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
31-Berger
Scratches: Carroll, Bigelbach, Galambos, Gerads, Schwalbe, Vanko
ALABAMA HUNTSVILLE
26-Jeffers, 15-Gorowsky, 18-Beaulieu
13-Allen, 14-Dunn, 7-Neudecker
19-Salerno, 10-Dodson, 11-Ohrvall
12-Merkley, 25-Wilcox, 16-Wood
20-Newton, 8-Teets
4-James, 3-Lennon
28-Gosselin, 2-Knight
22-Finnson
30-Sinclair
1-Theut
***
Friday Morning Skate
Playoff time is here! The No. 4 Mavericks are the top seed in the WCHA tournament and will host Alabama Huntsville in a best-of-three, first-round series.
While much has been made of the play of Hobey Baker candidate Marc Michaelis of front and possible WCHA Rookie of the Year Dyden McKay in goal, the deep, yet somewhat overlooked, Mavericks' defensive corps might be the real strength of this year's team.
Read more about the the series between the Mavericks and the Chargers in The Free Press' College Hockey Gameday and in a preview by UAHhockey.com.
Here are the WCHA other first-round matchups:
Alaska at Northern Michigan: The red-hot Wildcats lost just once in their last nine games to climb into second place in the final league standings. They will host the Nanooks, who, under new coach Erik Largen, had a tough start to the season but finished strong to make the playoffs.
Michigan Tech at Bowling Green: A team that has struggled with consistency over the second half of the season, the Falcons say they're focused for a playoff run, one they'll need to make in order to get to the NCAA tournament. Meanwhile, the Huskies, who won the last two league tournament titles, will have to pull off some road upsets and find some consistency in their game, too, to win a third.
Bemidji State at Lake Superior State: The Beavers are on the road for the first round for the first time in three years and are playing at Sault Ste. Marie against a fourth-place Lakers team that missed out on the playoffs entirely last year.
College Hockey News has a league playoff preview, too.
While much has been made of the play of Hobey Baker candidate Marc Michaelis of front and possible WCHA Rookie of the Year Dyden McKay in goal, the deep, yet somewhat overlooked, Mavericks' defensive corps might be the real strength of this year's team.
Read more about the the series between the Mavericks and the Chargers in The Free Press' College Hockey Gameday and in a preview by UAHhockey.com.
Here are the WCHA other first-round matchups:
Alaska at Northern Michigan: The red-hot Wildcats lost just once in their last nine games to climb into second place in the final league standings. They will host the Nanooks, who, under new coach Erik Largen, had a tough start to the season but finished strong to make the playoffs.
Michigan Tech at Bowling Green: A team that has struggled with consistency over the second half of the season, the Falcons say they're focused for a playoff run, one they'll need to make in order to get to the NCAA tournament. Meanwhile, the Huskies, who won the last two league tournament titles, will have to pull off some road upsets and find some consistency in their game, too, to win a third.
Bemidji State at Lake Superior State: The Beavers are on the road for the first round for the first time in three years and are playing at Sault Ste. Marie against a fourth-place Lakers team that missed out on the playoffs entirely last year.
College Hockey News has a league playoff preview, too.
Saturday, March 2, 2019
Mavericks 3, Beavers 1
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Good finish: Minnesota State went 8-1-1 in its last 10 games of the season, including this weekend's impressive sweep of rival Bemidji State. The Mavericks ended up with 27 wins in the regular season, which appears to be a team record (the overall record, including playoffs is 30). MSU and Northern Michigan, which moved into second place in the standings on Friday, were the only upper-division teams to sweep this weekend. Will those two teams meet in the WCHA championship game in three weeks? Stay tuned!
2. No rust: My game story (linked below) has info on Mathias Israelsson's rare start, but it's worth mentioning here, too. With Dryden McKay playing so well in goal, Israelsson hadn't played since a Dec. 15 start at Bowling Green, a game he got pulled from. He sure looked good Saturday, though, stopping 22 shots. Coach Mike Hastings said he wanted to give him a start to make sure he was ready if need be in the playoffs. "I'm happy for him because he does really put a lot of effort and energy into what he does everyday to be prepared to get the call, like he did tonight," Hastings said.
3. Senior salute: Before the game, seniors Max Coatta, Ryan Schwalbe and Alec Vanko were honored, along with a nod to their incoming classmate Daniel Brickley. Schwalbe and Vanko haven't played much the last couple of seasons but got a chance. Vanko appeared in four games this season before Saturday, and Schwalbe dressed for the first time this season. Each had one penalty. Hastings talked about their preparation, as he did about Israelsson's: "Both those guys, anything that we've asked them to do behind the scenes, extra workouts, so they're physically prepared to go out and play if we need them, that showed tonight."
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Bowling Green 7, Alabama Huntsville 1 ... Ferris State 3, Lake Superior State 2 ... Northern Michigan 3, Michigan Tech 0 ... Alaska at Alaska Anchorage (late)
Next week's WCHA first-round playoff pairings look like this:
• 8-Alabama Huntsville at 1-Minnesota State
• 7-Alaska at 2-Northern Michigan
• 6-Michigan Tech at 3-Bowling Green
• 5-Bemidji State at 3-Lake Superior State
1. Good finish: Minnesota State went 8-1-1 in its last 10 games of the season, including this weekend's impressive sweep of rival Bemidji State. The Mavericks ended up with 27 wins in the regular season, which appears to be a team record (the overall record, including playoffs is 30). MSU and Northern Michigan, which moved into second place in the standings on Friday, were the only upper-division teams to sweep this weekend. Will those two teams meet in the WCHA championship game in three weeks? Stay tuned!
2. No rust: My game story (linked below) has info on Mathias Israelsson's rare start, but it's worth mentioning here, too. With Dryden McKay playing so well in goal, Israelsson hadn't played since a Dec. 15 start at Bowling Green, a game he got pulled from. He sure looked good Saturday, though, stopping 22 shots. Coach Mike Hastings said he wanted to give him a start to make sure he was ready if need be in the playoffs. "I'm happy for him because he does really put a lot of effort and energy into what he does everyday to be prepared to get the call, like he did tonight," Hastings said.
3. Senior salute: Before the game, seniors Max Coatta, Ryan Schwalbe and Alec Vanko were honored, along with a nod to their incoming classmate Daniel Brickley. Schwalbe and Vanko haven't played much the last couple of seasons but got a chance. Vanko appeared in four games this season before Saturday, and Schwalbe dressed for the first time this season. Each had one penalty. Hastings talked about their preparation, as he did about Israelsson's: "Both those guys, anything that we've asked them to do behind the scenes, extra workouts, so they're physically prepared to go out and play if we need them, that showed tonight."
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Bowling Green 7, Alabama Huntsville 1 ... Ferris State 3, Lake Superior State 2 ... Northern Michigan 3, Michigan Tech 0 ... Alaska at Alaska Anchorage (late)
Next week's WCHA first-round playoff pairings look like this:
• 8-Alabama Huntsville at 1-Minnesota State
• 7-Alaska at 2-Northern Michigan
• 6-Michigan Tech at 3-Bowling Green
• 5-Bemidji State at 3-Lake Superior State
Minnesota State vs. Bemidji State, Game 1
It's the regular-season finale, and the Mavericks will try to get the series sweep and head into the league playoffs on a high note.
Tonight's lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
19-Napravnik, 11-Spooner, 17-Duehr
23-Rivera, 26-French, 27-Schwalbe
21-Vanko
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
7-Aamodt, 24-Hookenson
32-Israelsson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Bigelbach, Carroll, Galambos, Gerads, McMahan, Van Os-Shaw
BEMIDJI STATE
6-Dickman, 21-Harris, 26-Cardelli
19-Brady, 12-Sillinger, 11-Combs
9-Somoza, 17-Armour, 16-Miller
13-Soucier, 27-Kirkup, 14-Ierullo
3-Muck, 2-Billett
20-Eichstadt, 29-Baudry
22-Vold, 18-Johnson
15-Jubenville
33-Driscoll
35-Johnson
***
Tonight's lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
19-Napravnik, 11-Spooner, 17-Duehr
23-Rivera, 26-French, 27-Schwalbe
21-Vanko
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
7-Aamodt, 24-Hookenson
32-Israelsson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Bigelbach, Carroll, Galambos, Gerads, McMahan, Van Os-Shaw
BEMIDJI STATE
6-Dickman, 21-Harris, 26-Cardelli
19-Brady, 12-Sillinger, 11-Combs
9-Somoza, 17-Armour, 16-Miller
13-Soucier, 27-Kirkup, 14-Ierullo
3-Muck, 2-Billett
20-Eichstadt, 29-Baudry
22-Vold, 18-Johnson
15-Jubenville
33-Driscoll
35-Johnson
***
Friday, March 1, 2019
Mavericks 4, Beavers 1
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. 'Tender moments: Dryden McKay was Named WCHA Goaltender of the Month for February, and he started March pretty well, stopping 31 of 32 shots in the win. He made some big-time saves during the game, including on a couple of flurries from a motivated Bemidji State team and a huge glove save on a 1:49 5-on-3 BSU power play in the second period. "I think he’s been exceptional," coach Mike Hastings said. "That’s nice to have because if you want to get somewhere at the most important time of the season, you need great goaltending."
2. Home cooking': Minnesota State improved its record at the Verizon Center to 15-1-0 and hopes to keep that going as it will be in Mankato for the next 6-8 games, as long as it keeps winning. Defending home ice is important, as Hastings often brings up that point and did again on Friday night. Why are they so good at home? Nick Rivera, who had a goal and an assist against the Beavers, said: "The atmosphere is always good. Looking back at Christmas break, there weren’t a lot of students in town, but the barn was still filled with 4,000 people. It’s a hard atmosphere to play in." MSU's spring break is starting this weekend, and Friday's announced attendance was 4,357.
3. Glad Max: The return of Max Coatta ended up being pretty important. After missing nine games with a lower-body injury, he scored what would stand as the game-winning goal (just the third GWG of his career), blocked a shot and did some excellent work on the penalty kill, including during that lengthy 5-on-3. "He's a jack of all trades," Rivera said of his teammate. "He does everything — killing penalties, scoring goals, in the locker room."
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Lake Superior State 5, Ferris State 2 ... Northern Michigan 4, Michigan Tech 2 ... Alabama Huntsville 4, Bowling Green 2 ... Alaska 4, Alaska Anchorage 0
Standings going into the last night of the regular season:
1. Minnesota State, 65 points*
2. Northern Michigan 53*
3. Bowling Green 52*
4. Lake Superior State 50*
5. Bemidji State 45
6. Michigan Tech 43
7. Alaska 37
8. Alabama Huntsville 28
9. Ferris State**
10. Alaska Anchorage 11 **
* clinched home ice for first round
** eliminated from playoff contention
1. 'Tender moments: Dryden McKay was Named WCHA Goaltender of the Month for February, and he started March pretty well, stopping 31 of 32 shots in the win. He made some big-time saves during the game, including on a couple of flurries from a motivated Bemidji State team and a huge glove save on a 1:49 5-on-3 BSU power play in the second period. "I think he’s been exceptional," coach Mike Hastings said. "That’s nice to have because if you want to get somewhere at the most important time of the season, you need great goaltending."
2. Home cooking': Minnesota State improved its record at the Verizon Center to 15-1-0 and hopes to keep that going as it will be in Mankato for the next 6-8 games, as long as it keeps winning. Defending home ice is important, as Hastings often brings up that point and did again on Friday night. Why are they so good at home? Nick Rivera, who had a goal and an assist against the Beavers, said: "The atmosphere is always good. Looking back at Christmas break, there weren’t a lot of students in town, but the barn was still filled with 4,000 people. It’s a hard atmosphere to play in." MSU's spring break is starting this weekend, and Friday's announced attendance was 4,357.
3. Glad Max: The return of Max Coatta ended up being pretty important. After missing nine games with a lower-body injury, he scored what would stand as the game-winning goal (just the third GWG of his career), blocked a shot and did some excellent work on the penalty kill, including during that lengthy 5-on-3. "He's a jack of all trades," Rivera said of his teammate. "He does everything — killing penalties, scoring goals, in the locker room."
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Lake Superior State 5, Ferris State 2 ... Northern Michigan 4, Michigan Tech 2 ... Alabama Huntsville 4, Bowling Green 2 ... Alaska 4, Alaska Anchorage 0
Standings going into the last night of the regular season:
1. Minnesota State, 65 points*
2. Northern Michigan 53*
3. Bowling Green 52*
4. Lake Superior State 50*
5. Bemidji State 45
6. Michigan Tech 43
7. Alaska 37
8. Alabama Huntsville 28
9. Ferris State**
10. Alaska Anchorage 11 **
* clinched home ice for first round
** eliminated from playoff contention
Minnesota State vs. Bemidji State
Tonight's lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 17-Duehr
23-Rivera, 26-French, 15-Napravnik
19-Van Os-Shaw
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
31-Berger
Scratches: Aamodt, Bigelbach, Galambos, McMahan, Schwalbe, Vanko
BEMIDJI STATE
6-Dickman, 21-Harris, 26-Cardelli
19-Brady, 12-Sillinger, 11-Combs
9-Somoza, 17-Armour, 16-Miller
13-Soucier, 27-Kirkup, 14-Ierullo
3-Muck, 2-Billett
20-Eichstadt, 29-Baudry
22-Vold, 18-Johnson
8-Gula
33-Driscoll
35-Johnson
***
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 12-Coatta
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 17-Duehr
23-Rivera, 26-French, 15-Napravnik
19-Van Os-Shaw
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
32-Israelsson
31-Berger
Scratches: Aamodt, Bigelbach, Galambos, McMahan, Schwalbe, Vanko
BEMIDJI STATE
6-Dickman, 21-Harris, 26-Cardelli
19-Brady, 12-Sillinger, 11-Combs
9-Somoza, 17-Armour, 16-Miller
13-Soucier, 27-Kirkup, 14-Ierullo
3-Muck, 2-Billett
20-Eichstadt, 29-Baudry
22-Vold, 18-Johnson
8-Gula
33-Driscoll
35-Johnson
***
Friday Morning Skate
Welcome to the final weekend of the regular season in the WCHA ...
Minnesota State is hosting rival Bemidji State today and Saturday, and, while it's wrapped up the MacNaughton Cup and the top seed for next week's playoffs, it's still an important series.
"It’s no different, just because we’ve got the regular season wrapped up trophy-wise. That doesn’t change our mindset," said senior Max Coatta, who's expecting to return for the games after missing the last nine with injury. "This is a huge weekend for us. We know we need to play our best hockey going into the playoffs, and this weekend’s it’s an opportunity to get there. Also … the Pairwise stipulations, these are important games for that."
The Mavericks are fifth in the Pairwise going into the weekend. Here are a few more things to know about the series.
As for the Beavers, they have plenty to play for, as they can still land a top-four finish and home ice for the first round of the league tournament.
Minnesota State is hosting rival Bemidji State today and Saturday, and, while it's wrapped up the MacNaughton Cup and the top seed for next week's playoffs, it's still an important series.
"It’s no different, just because we’ve got the regular season wrapped up trophy-wise. That doesn’t change our mindset," said senior Max Coatta, who's expecting to return for the games after missing the last nine with injury. "This is a huge weekend for us. We know we need to play our best hockey going into the playoffs, and this weekend’s it’s an opportunity to get there. Also … the Pairwise stipulations, these are important games for that."
The Mavericks are fifth in the Pairwise going into the weekend. Here are a few more things to know about the series.
As for the Beavers, they have plenty to play for, as they can still land a top-four finish and home ice for the first round of the league tournament.
There could be a lot of movement in the league standings yet, as MSU and seventh-place Alaska are the only teams that have locked down their final position. Here's a look at the other matchups this weekend:
Alabama Huntsville at Bowling Green: Huntsville has a four-point lead for the final playoff spot and will be in Mankato next week if it can hold on. The Chargers are on the road to play the Falcons, who are assured of home ice but would like to hold on to second place. Bowling Green is also trying to move up in the Pairwise it's No. 15 right now.
Ferris State at Lake Superior State: The Bulldogs are on the outside looking in, but a strong finish and some help from BG could get them in. The host Lakers, meanwhile, are currently in a home-ice spot at fourth place and don't want to see that slip away. No. 20 in the Pairwise, they had lost just 2 of 16 games before getting swept last weekend at Northern Michigan.
Northern Michigan at/vs. Michigan Tech: The third-place Wildcats and sixth-place Huskies play a home-and-home series this weekend. Northern Michigan can clinch home ice with a win tonight, while Tech has a slim but outside shot at a top-four finish. There's seems to be a good chance these two teams will be playing each other again next weekend.
Alaska at Alaska Anchorage: The Governor's Cup is all that's on the line for the Nanooks and Seawolves this weekend. Alaska is only wondering where it will go for the first round next week, while these are the last games of the season for three-win Anchorage. The hope is that the games' aren't the last ever for the Seawolves, as big budget cuts could be coming to Alaska's university system.
The WCHA women's playoffs begin this weekend, and Minnesota State is at Ohio State for a best-of-three series, a matchup the Mavericks like after avoiding a last-place finish for the first time in five years.
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