Mavericks 4, Fighting Hawks 4 (OT)

Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...

1. Are you not entertained: First off, that was quite the entertaining hockey game between two pretty darn good teams. Lots of pace and skill out there. Although overtimes are a deadline buster for me, it was they type of game where the 4,500-plus folks might have wanted more. Unfortunately for them, NCAA rules now prohibit games from going to 3-on-3 in nonconference play. They still allow it to break ties for conference points, however. The two coaches, Mike Hastings and Brad Berry, discussed continuing the game afterward, Hastings said:“We looked at each other and said why wouldn’t we play 3 on 3? And I think he was thinking the same thing. But it’s my understanding that if it’s nonconference this is it."

2. A star is born: One game does not a career make, but Nathan Smith was certainly impressive in his collegiate debut. Smith, who missed the Mavericks' exhibition and opening series against Arizona State, had a goal and three assists. He centered a line with fellow Floridian Lucas Sowder and Junior Walker Duehr. Hastings said it was associate head coach Todd Knott's idea to put Smith and Sowder together. They've known each other since they were 6, Smith said, and they sure appeared to have some chemistry. "We're just used to each other," Smith said. "We can communicate and know where each other is at." Sowder had a goal and two assists, same as he had last weekend against ASU.

3. Strong finish: Hastings said he liked that, for the third game in a row, the Mavericks' third period was their best period. Trailing 4-3 going into the final frame, MSU knotted the game on Connor Mackey's goal at 6:15. Both teams had chances to score after that, but goalies Dryden McKay and Adam Scheel shut their doors. North Dakota got a late power play that looked like it was going to carry over to overtime, but Marc Michaelis drew a penalty on a short-handed rush in the closing seconds of regulation. The Mavericks couldn't score on their 45-second power play in OT. They outshot the Hawks 2-1 in the extra period.

Deep thought: Hastings said that Jake Jaremko was sick, which is why he was a scratch on Friday.

Read my game story here.

Around the WCHA: Alaska 4, Penn State 0 ... Bowling Green 2, Wester Michigan 1 ... Northern Michigan 4, Boston University 4 (OT) ... Miami 4, Ferris State 3 ... Michigan 4, Lake Superior State 0