Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Special team: Minnesota State won a tough game on Saturday night to pull off the sweep of Minnesota Duluth in Amsoil Arena. Thanks to three power-play goals and an outstanding penalty kill that had to put in "some road miles," Mike Hastings said, they ground out the the win. Minnesota State killed nine minutes of penalties over the final 10:45 of the second period. That included Jared Spooner's five-minute major that was called after a video review. Kudos to veterans Josh French and Nick Rivera, along with defensemen Riese Zmolek, Connor Mackey, Jack McNeely and Edwin Hookenson, the latter of whom Hastings said had his best weekend of the year.
2. Don't forget the goalie: And then there was Dryden McKay, who stopped 37 of 38 shots, including all 16 he faced in that tough second period. McKay made some crazy back-door saves early in the second period and, really, was the difference between an MSU sweep and a series split. In each game of the Mavericks' current seven-game winning streak, he has not allowed more than one goal. The Mavericks have outscored teams 27-5 over that stretch.
3. Welcome back, Sowder: Freshman Lucas Sowder had such a good start to the season then hit a little bit of a rookie lull and was a scratch for a few games, including Friday night. He was back in the lineup on Saturday and ended up with a goal and an assist. He set up the first of Jake Jaremko's two goals in the first period, making a heady play by taking the rebound of a Reggie Lutz shot around the net and dishing to Jaremko in the left circle. In the third period, he was involved in a very similar play, only that time, he took the Lutz rebound and jammed in in for a 2-1 lead less than two minutes after UMD had tied the game.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Bemidji State 2, Lake Superior State 2 (LSSU wins the 3x3 OT) ... Bowling Green 5, Notre Dame 2 ... Northern Michigan 3, Alabama Huntsville 1 ... Ferris State 4, Alaska Anchorage 4 (UAA wins the shootout) ... Michigan Tech at Alaska (late)
Saturday, November 30, 2019
Minnesota State at Minnesota Duluth, Game 2
Here are tonight's lines for Game 2 between the No. 1 Mavericks and No. 8 Bulldogs. Couple of changes for Minnesota State, as Lucas Sowder and Chris Van Os-Shaw are in, and Walker Duehr and Julian Napravnik are out.
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 8-Smith
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 21-Sowder
23-Rivera, 26-French, 14-Sandelin
19-Van Os-Shaw
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
MINNESOTA DULUTH
21-N. Cates, 20-J. Cates, 10-Roth
17-Koepke, 19-Richards, 13-Laderoute
15-Olson, 18-Jacques, 16-Loheit
11-Bender, 26-Miller, 22-Puricelli
28-Meyer
4-Samberg, 7-Perunovich
3-Anderson, 6-Roehl
12-Hilderman, 27-Rosenbaum
32-Shepard
36-Patt
39-Fanti
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 8-Smith
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 21-Sowder
23-Rivera, 26-French, 14-Sandelin
19-Van Os-Shaw
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
MINNESOTA DULUTH
21-N. Cates, 20-J. Cates, 10-Roth
17-Koepke, 19-Richards, 13-Laderoute
15-Olson, 18-Jacques, 16-Loheit
11-Bender, 26-Miller, 22-Puricelli
28-Meyer
4-Samberg, 7-Perunovich
3-Anderson, 6-Roehl
12-Hilderman, 27-Rosenbaum
32-Shepard
36-Patt
39-Fanti
Friday, November 29, 2019
Mavericks 4, Bulldogs 1
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. First line shines (again): The Run-TMG line (yes, I'm going with that) was really good at home a week ago against Alaska Anchorage, but would they be able to do it on the road against No. 8 Minnesota Duluth? They answer was yes. Parker Tuomie and Marc Michaelis each had a goal and an assist, and Charlie Gerard had an assist in Friday's win. The trio hooked up for the game's first goal at 4:30 of the second period. Tuomie scored from Michaelis on a power play goal that made it 2-0 at 9:39 of the frame. They had 11 shots on goal in all.
2. Happy homecoming: Ryan Sandelin said he caught himself looking over at his dad (UMD coach Scott Sandelin) a couple of times during the game and thinking about what he might be thinking. For the most part, though, he was into the game and assisted on a big goal — Josh French's that made it 3-0 at 14:13 of the second period. "It was different," he said about returning to the Duluth area to play as a visitor. "But it was a good experience. I'm glad we got the win. It was a tough start, but we found a way to play together the last 40 minutes. I hope that carries over to tomorrow."
3. McKay keeps going: Dryden McKay stopped 27 of 28 shots, allowing a power-play goal with 10:40 remaining in the game. He's allowed one or fewer goals in a game in each game of the Mavericks' six-game winning streak. He made 10 saves in the first period, including a point-blank stop on Quinn Olson on a low 2-on-0 after a bad turnover late in the first period. "When we made mistakes, he's been there for us," coach Mike Hastings said.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Bowling Green 5, Notre Dame 2 ... Bemidji State 4, Lake Superior State 1 ... Alabama Huntsville 4, Northern Michigan 2 ... Ferris State at Alaska Anchorage (late) ... Michigan Tech at Alaska (late)
1. First line shines (again): The Run-TMG line (yes, I'm going with that) was really good at home a week ago against Alaska Anchorage, but would they be able to do it on the road against No. 8 Minnesota Duluth? They answer was yes. Parker Tuomie and Marc Michaelis each had a goal and an assist, and Charlie Gerard had an assist in Friday's win. The trio hooked up for the game's first goal at 4:30 of the second period. Tuomie scored from Michaelis on a power play goal that made it 2-0 at 9:39 of the frame. They had 11 shots on goal in all.
2. Happy homecoming: Ryan Sandelin said he caught himself looking over at his dad (UMD coach Scott Sandelin) a couple of times during the game and thinking about what he might be thinking. For the most part, though, he was into the game and assisted on a big goal — Josh French's that made it 3-0 at 14:13 of the second period. "It was different," he said about returning to the Duluth area to play as a visitor. "But it was a good experience. I'm glad we got the win. It was a tough start, but we found a way to play together the last 40 minutes. I hope that carries over to tomorrow."
3. McKay keeps going: Dryden McKay stopped 27 of 28 shots, allowing a power-play goal with 10:40 remaining in the game. He's allowed one or fewer goals in a game in each game of the Mavericks' six-game winning streak. He made 10 saves in the first period, including a point-blank stop on Quinn Olson on a low 2-on-0 after a bad turnover late in the first period. "When we made mistakes, he's been there for us," coach Mike Hastings said.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Bowling Green 5, Notre Dame 2 ... Bemidji State 4, Lake Superior State 1 ... Alabama Huntsville 4, Northern Michigan 2 ... Ferris State at Alaska Anchorage (late) ... Michigan Tech at Alaska (late)
Minnesota State at Minnesota Duluth
Here are tonight's lines for Game 1 between the No. 1 Mavericks and No. 8 Bulldogs:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 8-Smith
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 17-Duehr
23-Rivera, 26-French, 14-Sandelin
15-Napravnik
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
MINNESOTA DULUTH
21-N. Cates, 20-J. Cate, 10-Roth
17-Koepke, 19-Richards, 13-Laderoute
15-Olson, 18-Jacques, 16-Loheit
11-Bender, 26-Miller, 22-Puricelli
5-Wolff, 7-Perunovich
4-Samberg, 6-Roehl
3-Anderson, 12-Hilderman
27-Rosenbaum
32-Shepard
36-Patt
39-Fanti
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 8-Smith
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 17-Duehr
23-Rivera, 26-French, 14-Sandelin
15-Napravnik
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
MINNESOTA DULUTH
21-N. Cates, 20-J. Cate, 10-Roth
17-Koepke, 19-Richards, 13-Laderoute
15-Olson, 18-Jacques, 16-Loheit
11-Bender, 26-Miller, 22-Puricelli
5-Wolff, 7-Perunovich
4-Samberg, 6-Roehl
3-Anderson, 12-Hilderman
27-Rosenbaum
32-Shepard
36-Patt
39-Fanti
Friday Morning Skate
The No. 1 Mavericks are on the road for the holiday weekend, taking on No. 8 Minnesota Duluth in what should be a great matchup between two of the country's top teams.
This weekend marks the first clash of the Sandelins as MSU freshman Ryan has the chance to go up against his dad, UMD coach Scott. What better time than Thanksgiving for that to happen? There are other story lines, of course, which you can read about in the College Hockey Gameday.
This has been an interesting week for the Mavericks, who lost freshman goaltender Jaxson Stauber after he opted to return to junior hockey because he wanted to play games, something he wasn't doing behind Dryden McKay. The Mavericks got Stauber's future replacement with a commitment on Thanksgiving from Bismarck Bobcats goalie Andrew Miller, although that doesn't solve their short-term situation, if they want a third goalie for the rest of this season and next.
The Duluth News-Tribune also takes a look at the Sandelin matchup, as well as the relationship between the two coaches, Mike Hastings and Scott Sandelin. Like Minnesota State, Minnesota Duluth has fought through some early season injuries, but also like MSU, UMD is getting healthier.
Going around the WCHA ...
Bowling Green at/vs. Notre Dame: This is another nonconference matchup between top teams with the No. 16 Falcons playing the No. 5 Fighting Irish home and home.
Bemidji State at Lake Superior State: The red-hot Beavers, who have won three in a row and five of their last six, will take on the Lakers for the second time in four weeks. On Nov. 8-9 in Bemidji, BSU swept LSSU 7-1 and 5-1. That began a five-game Lakers losing streak that finally ended last Saturday at Bowling Green. The Bemidji Pioneer takes a closer look at senior defenseman Tommy Muck.
Northern Michigan at Alabama Huntsville: The Wildcats, who have lost three straight, will try to get back on track when they take on the winless Chargers. UAH is 0-11-1. Don't chalk down two Ws for the Wildcats just yet, though. As with Bemidji and Lake State, this will be the second meeting already between these teams.
Ferris State at Alaska Anchorage: The Bulldogs will play their second week of back-to-back series in Alaska when they take on the Seawolves, who are fresh off their weekend in Mankato.
Michigan Tech at Alaska: The Huskies take a four-game winning streak to Fairbanks where, in yet another quirk in this year's WCHA schedule, they and the Nanooks are already meeting again. Alaska swept Tech in Houghton on Oct. 11-12. The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner features shot-blocking senior Tyler Cline.
This weekend marks the first clash of the Sandelins as MSU freshman Ryan has the chance to go up against his dad, UMD coach Scott. What better time than Thanksgiving for that to happen? There are other story lines, of course, which you can read about in the College Hockey Gameday.
This has been an interesting week for the Mavericks, who lost freshman goaltender Jaxson Stauber after he opted to return to junior hockey because he wanted to play games, something he wasn't doing behind Dryden McKay. The Mavericks got Stauber's future replacement with a commitment on Thanksgiving from Bismarck Bobcats goalie Andrew Miller, although that doesn't solve their short-term situation, if they want a third goalie for the rest of this season and next.
The Duluth News-Tribune also takes a look at the Sandelin matchup, as well as the relationship between the two coaches, Mike Hastings and Scott Sandelin. Like Minnesota State, Minnesota Duluth has fought through some early season injuries, but also like MSU, UMD is getting healthier.
Going around the WCHA ...
Bowling Green at/vs. Notre Dame: This is another nonconference matchup between top teams with the No. 16 Falcons playing the No. 5 Fighting Irish home and home.
Bemidji State at Lake Superior State: The red-hot Beavers, who have won three in a row and five of their last six, will take on the Lakers for the second time in four weeks. On Nov. 8-9 in Bemidji, BSU swept LSSU 7-1 and 5-1. That began a five-game Lakers losing streak that finally ended last Saturday at Bowling Green. The Bemidji Pioneer takes a closer look at senior defenseman Tommy Muck.
Northern Michigan at Alabama Huntsville: The Wildcats, who have lost three straight, will try to get back on track when they take on the winless Chargers. UAH is 0-11-1. Don't chalk down two Ws for the Wildcats just yet, though. As with Bemidji and Lake State, this will be the second meeting already between these teams.
Ferris State at Alaska Anchorage: The Bulldogs will play their second week of back-to-back series in Alaska when they take on the Seawolves, who are fresh off their weekend in Mankato.
Michigan Tech at Alaska: The Huskies take a four-game winning streak to Fairbanks where, in yet another quirk in this year's WCHA schedule, they and the Nanooks are already meeting again. Alaska swept Tech in Houghton on Oct. 11-12. The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner features shot-blocking senior Tyler Cline.
Saturday, November 23, 2019
Mavericks 3, Seawolves 0
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Saturday night special: As coach Mike Hastings hints at in my game story (linked below), Saturday nights are rarely carbon copies of Friday nights in college hockey. Indeed, before the game, a few people asked me if it would be another blowout. I said it was doubtful. I figured it would be closer, and it was. Kudos to Anchorage for its defensive play. The Seawolves seemed content to keep the game scoreless as long as possible. Marc Michaelis' power-play goal with 41 seconds left in the second period was the turning point.
2. Speaking of defense: The Mavericks were pretty good in their end, too, even with a bit of a different lineup than they've used pretty much all season. That's because Riese Zmolek was out with a foot injury suffered when he blocked a shot with his skate on Friday. Zmolek, who was wearing a boot as he watched from the stands, said he's OK, just sore. No word on how long he's expected to be out. Wyatt Aamodt played in Zmolek's stead, and freshman Colby Bukes played for the first time this season. He was listed as the extra skater on the line chart.
3. Don't forget Dryden: Dryden McKay recorded his third shutout of the season and the seventh of his career, making 20 saves. He only had to make a couple of tough stops, but the Mavericks know they have someone very steady between the pipes. After allowing just one goal on the weekend, McKay's season save percentage is up to .951 right now. In 12 games this season, Minnesota State has allowed just 14 goals while scoring 46. The competition stiffens next weekend when the Mavericks go to Minnesota Duluth for a pair of games.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Michigan Tech 3, Northern Michigan 2 ... Bemidji State 7, Alabama Huntsville 0 ... Lake Superior State 3, Bowling Green 1 ... Ferris State at Alaska (late)
1. Saturday night special: As coach Mike Hastings hints at in my game story (linked below), Saturday nights are rarely carbon copies of Friday nights in college hockey. Indeed, before the game, a few people asked me if it would be another blowout. I said it was doubtful. I figured it would be closer, and it was. Kudos to Anchorage for its defensive play. The Seawolves seemed content to keep the game scoreless as long as possible. Marc Michaelis' power-play goal with 41 seconds left in the second period was the turning point.
2. Speaking of defense: The Mavericks were pretty good in their end, too, even with a bit of a different lineup than they've used pretty much all season. That's because Riese Zmolek was out with a foot injury suffered when he blocked a shot with his skate on Friday. Zmolek, who was wearing a boot as he watched from the stands, said he's OK, just sore. No word on how long he's expected to be out. Wyatt Aamodt played in Zmolek's stead, and freshman Colby Bukes played for the first time this season. He was listed as the extra skater on the line chart.
3. Don't forget Dryden: Dryden McKay recorded his third shutout of the season and the seventh of his career, making 20 saves. He only had to make a couple of tough stops, but the Mavericks know they have someone very steady between the pipes. After allowing just one goal on the weekend, McKay's season save percentage is up to .951 right now. In 12 games this season, Minnesota State has allowed just 14 goals while scoring 46. The competition stiffens next weekend when the Mavericks go to Minnesota Duluth for a pair of games.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Michigan Tech 3, Northern Michigan 2 ... Bemidji State 7, Alabama Huntsville 0 ... Lake Superior State 3, Bowling Green 1 ... Ferris State at Alaska (late)
Minnesota State vs. Alaska Anchorage, Game 2
A few changes to Minnesota State's lineup, most notably Riese Zmolek being out. He blocked a shot late in the game last night and didn't return. Not sure how serious that is. Wyatt Aamodt goes in his place, and freshman D Colby Bukes will make his debut. Julian Napravnik is back in the lineup, and freshmen Lucas Sowder and Ryan Sandelin are out. Once again, just two goalies are dressed.
Here are tonight's lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 8-Smith
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 17-Duehr
23-Rivera, 26-French, 15-Napravnik
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
7-Aamodt, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
12-Bukes
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Borchardt, Malinowski, McMahan, Sandelin, Sowder, Stauber, Van Os-Shaw, Zmolek
ALASKA ANCHORAGE
40-Camrud, 9-Wicks, 15-Lantz
10-Schachle, 25-Mitchell, 13-Frye
28-St. Onge, 14-Nash, 29-DeGraaf
19-Glover, 20-Renwick, 17-Masson
3-Lane
18-Hiekkavirta, 26-McPheters
22-Buono, 23-Sinclair
7-Nicholas, 4-Robillard
30-Carlson
39-Stead
Here are tonight's lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 8-Smith
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 17-Duehr
23-Rivera, 26-French, 15-Napravnik
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
7-Aamodt, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
12-Bukes
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Borchardt, Malinowski, McMahan, Sandelin, Sowder, Stauber, Van Os-Shaw, Zmolek
ALASKA ANCHORAGE
40-Camrud, 9-Wicks, 15-Lantz
10-Schachle, 25-Mitchell, 13-Frye
28-St. Onge, 14-Nash, 29-DeGraaf
19-Glover, 20-Renwick, 17-Masson
3-Lane
18-Hiekkavirta, 26-McPheters
22-Buono, 23-Sinclair
7-Nicholas, 4-Robillard
30-Carlson
39-Stead
Friday, November 22, 2019
Mavericks 7, Seawolves 1
Freddy's three thoughts of the game (edited after some late-night scoring changes) ...
1. Top line shines: There have been some tweaks to the top line this season, but eventually, Marc Michaelis, Parker Tuomie and Charlie Gerard end up back together. The all-senior line was as good as its been all season, racking up seven eight points in the rout of the Alaska Anchorage. The trio made nifty plays throughout the game, and Tuomie finished with a goal and two assists two goals and an assist, Michaelis had three assists and Gerard had a goal and an assist. Going into its second season together, doesn't this line need a nickname? Run-T.M.G., perhaps?
2. Early action: The Mavericks jumped all over the Seawolves each period, scoring within the first two minutes of each. Tuomie's power-play goal came at 1:42 of the first period, Gerard's goal came 41 seconds into the second, and Tuomie scored again 1:57 of the third. Anchorage looked like an improved team overall compared to the last couple of years, but it simply couldn't withstand those early blows in each period.
3. Making plays: There was some impressive playmaking around the rink as the Mavericks reached a season-high for goals. Mike Hastings talked earlier in the year about trying to make more plays, in general, and that was the case. The Run-T.M.G. line (it has nice ring to it, no?) made some beauties, especially on Gerard's goal, on which Michaelis went cross-ice to Tuomie, who went right back to the goal scorer streaking down the middle of the ice. But add in Andy Carroll's stretch pass to spring a 2-on-1 for Nathan Smith and Jake Jaremko (read more about Jaremko's return in the link below), and Smith's nice set-up to Jaremko for the finish.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Michigan Tech 3, Northern Michigan 2 ... Bowling Green 5, Lake Superior State 0 ... Bemidji State 5, Alabama Huntsville 3 ... Ferris State at Alaska (late)
2. Early action: The Mavericks jumped all over the Seawolves each period, scoring within the first two minutes of each. Tuomie's power-play goal came at 1:42 of the first period, Gerard's goal came 41 seconds into the second, and Tuomie scored again 1:57 of the third. Anchorage looked like an improved team overall compared to the last couple of years, but it simply couldn't withstand those early blows in each period.
3. Making plays: There was some impressive playmaking around the rink as the Mavericks reached a season-high for goals. Mike Hastings talked earlier in the year about trying to make more plays, in general, and that was the case. The Run-T.M.G. line (it has nice ring to it, no?) made some beauties, especially on Gerard's goal, on which Michaelis went cross-ice to Tuomie, who went right back to the goal scorer streaking down the middle of the ice. But add in Andy Carroll's stretch pass to spring a 2-on-1 for Nathan Smith and Jake Jaremko (read more about Jaremko's return in the link below), and Smith's nice set-up to Jaremko for the finish.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Michigan Tech 3, Northern Michigan 2 ... Bowling Green 5, Lake Superior State 0 ... Bemidji State 5, Alabama Huntsville 3 ... Ferris State at Alaska (late)
Minnesota State vs. Alaska Anchorage
Here are tonight's lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 8-Smith
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 17-Duehr
23-Rivera, 26-French, 14-Sandelin
21-Sowder
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Aamodt, Borchardt, Bukes, Malinowski, McMahan, Napravnik, Stauber, Van Os-Shaw
ALASKA ANCHORAGE
13-Frye, 9-Wicks, 40-Camrud
10-Schachle, 25-Mitchell, 15-Lantz
28-St. Onge, 14-Nash, 29-DeGraaf
19-Glover, 20-Renwick, 17-Masson
26-McPheters
22-Buono, 23-Sinclair
18-Hiekkavirta, 27-Trinkberger
7-Nicholas, 4-RObillard
39-Stead
30-Carlson
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 8-Smith
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 17-Duehr
23-Rivera, 26-French, 14-Sandelin
21-Sowder
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Aamodt, Borchardt, Bukes, Malinowski, McMahan, Napravnik, Stauber, Van Os-Shaw
ALASKA ANCHORAGE
13-Frye, 9-Wicks, 40-Camrud
10-Schachle, 25-Mitchell, 15-Lantz
28-St. Onge, 14-Nash, 29-DeGraaf
19-Glover, 20-Renwick, 17-Masson
26-McPheters
22-Buono, 23-Sinclair
18-Hiekkavirta, 27-Trinkberger
7-Nicholas, 4-RObillard
39-Stead
30-Carlson
Friday Morning Skate
The Mavericks are back in action after a weekend off and will host Alaska Anchorage in a WCHA series. The break came at a good time for No. 1 MSU as it used the time off to get healthy and work on a few things, such as its power play, Mike Hastings said.
Indeed, Jake Jaremko should be back in the lineup this weekend, and the Mavericks had all of their players on the ice for practice this week for the first time since the season started. Kind of amazing that they're 8-1-1 while missing Jaremko for eight games, Dallas Gerads for four, Chris Van Os-Shaw for four, Nathan Smith for two and Parker Tuomie for one.
Their depth clearly has carried them, as has their defense and goaltending. In goal, sophomore Dryden McKay is off to a great start to the year. While you could say he picked up where he left off last year, he used the offseason to commit himself to eating right and getting fit.
As for Anchorage, it appears to be improved from last year, so the Mavericks need to take this weekend seriously with some big series looming on the schedule after this weekend.
The Seawolves are thinking about their future, too — long-term. According to the Anchorage Daily News, UAA and Alaska Fairbanks are in talks with Alabama Huntsville about preserving the WCHA beyond 2021 after Minnesota State and six other depart, even with Huntsville giving its notice to the league recently.
Going around the WCHA ...
Northern Michigan at/vs. Michigan Tech: The UP rivalry renews with a home-and-home weekend between the Wildcats and the Huskies. After a 6-1-1 start, No. 19 NMU has one once in its last four games and hopes to get back on track this weekend. Tech, meanwhile, got a much-needed sweep against Lake Superior State last week after losing six of its previous seven games.
Lake Superior State at Bowling Green: The aforementioned Lakers have lost four in a row and surprisingly have just four wins this season — albeit amid a tough schedule. That slate gets no easier this weekend with a road trip to face the No. 17 Falcons, who have won three of four and six of their last eight.
Alabama Huntsville at Bemidji State: The Chargers, winless in 10 games this season, go on the road after a week off to face the Beavers, who have won three of four and four of six. The Bemidji Pioneer features BSU's Aaron Miller, who is a gamer on and off the ice.
Ferris State at Alaska: The Bulldogs snapped a six-game losing streak last weekend in the first game of a split with Bemidji State, getting a win in goal from Princeton transfer Austin Shaw, and now head north to face the Nanooks, who are tied with Minnesota State and Northern Michigan for first place in the league standings. The Daily News-Miner features a story on UAF sophomore Caleb Hite, who also played junior hockey in Fairbanks.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota State women's team returns home to face Bemidji State this weekend. On Thursday, Mavericks goaltender Abigail Levy was named to USA Hockey's women's winter training camp next month.
Indeed, Jake Jaremko should be back in the lineup this weekend, and the Mavericks had all of their players on the ice for practice this week for the first time since the season started. Kind of amazing that they're 8-1-1 while missing Jaremko for eight games, Dallas Gerads for four, Chris Van Os-Shaw for four, Nathan Smith for two and Parker Tuomie for one.
Their depth clearly has carried them, as has their defense and goaltending. In goal, sophomore Dryden McKay is off to a great start to the year. While you could say he picked up where he left off last year, he used the offseason to commit himself to eating right and getting fit.
As for Anchorage, it appears to be improved from last year, so the Mavericks need to take this weekend seriously with some big series looming on the schedule after this weekend.
The Seawolves are thinking about their future, too — long-term. According to the Anchorage Daily News, UAA and Alaska Fairbanks are in talks with Alabama Huntsville about preserving the WCHA beyond 2021 after Minnesota State and six other depart, even with Huntsville giving its notice to the league recently.
Going around the WCHA ...
Northern Michigan at/vs. Michigan Tech: The UP rivalry renews with a home-and-home weekend between the Wildcats and the Huskies. After a 6-1-1 start, No. 19 NMU has one once in its last four games and hopes to get back on track this weekend. Tech, meanwhile, got a much-needed sweep against Lake Superior State last week after losing six of its previous seven games.
Lake Superior State at Bowling Green: The aforementioned Lakers have lost four in a row and surprisingly have just four wins this season — albeit amid a tough schedule. That slate gets no easier this weekend with a road trip to face the No. 17 Falcons, who have won three of four and six of their last eight.
Alabama Huntsville at Bemidji State: The Chargers, winless in 10 games this season, go on the road after a week off to face the Beavers, who have won three of four and four of six. The Bemidji Pioneer features BSU's Aaron Miller, who is a gamer on and off the ice.
Ferris State at Alaska: The Bulldogs snapped a six-game losing streak last weekend in the first game of a split with Bemidji State, getting a win in goal from Princeton transfer Austin Shaw, and now head north to face the Nanooks, who are tied with Minnesota State and Northern Michigan for first place in the league standings. The Daily News-Miner features a story on UAF sophomore Caleb Hite, who also played junior hockey in Fairbanks.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota State women's team returns home to face Bemidji State this weekend. On Thursday, Mavericks goaltender Abigail Levy was named to USA Hockey's women's winter training camp next month.
Friday, November 15, 2019
Friday morning skate
The No. 1 Mavericks are idle this weekend, using the week to get healthy — Jake Jaremko is back on the ice practice after an illness has kept him out for about a month — and sign their recruiting class for next year, or at least a good chunk of it.
Four players signed their NLIs on Wednesday and another player, Brendan Furry, was also mentioned in the MSU release. Furry is at Minnesota State but sitting out this season due to signing previously with Niagara before re-opening his recruitment. He can practice with the Mavericks but hasn't due to offseason surgery. By the way, I recently stumbled across a Q&A with Furry from September in which he talks about going to Minnesota State and how he almost ended up going to Bowling Green to play club hockey.
So who is playing this weekend? Let's look around the WCHA ...
Bemidji State at Ferris State: After getting win No. 300 for coach Tom Serratore, the Beavers will try to keep pace in the top half of the league when they take on the Bulldogs. BSU's freshmen defensemen, with names familiar to southern Minnesota, are off to good starts, too. Ferris State is looking for its first win in conference play.
Michigan Tech at Lake Superior State: The Huskies, who were swept by Minnesota State last weekend, are in unfamiliar territory at 1-5-0 in league play, but, perhaps, they're ready to break out after a tough schedule. The Lakers were outscored 12-2 at Bemidji last weekend and are hoping to rebound at home, where they're 4-2 with the two close losses coming against Denver.
Alaska at Northern Michigan: The host Wildcats are looking to bounce back after a tie and overtime loss at home to St. Cloud State last weekend. The Nanooks, meanwhile, are 6-6-0 and hoping to do what they did last time they were in the UP and sweep a conference series (they took two games at Tech on Oct. 11-12).
Bowling Green at Alaska Anchorage: The Falcons had last weekend off following their split in Mankato on Nov. 1-2. They'll go to Anchorage to play the Seawolves (next week's MSU opponent), who already have matched their league win total of last year (two), are on a three-game unbeaten streak (1-0-2) and are 2-1-2 in their last five games. Beth Bragg of the Anchorage Daily News has the story on a UAA player who is a survivor of the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash from April of 2018. Brayden Camrud is one of 13 survivors, one of three still playing hockey and the only one playing Division I hockey. Bragg also wrote last week that college sports at the Alaska schools, including hockey, are safe for at least another year.
Four players signed their NLIs on Wednesday and another player, Brendan Furry, was also mentioned in the MSU release. Furry is at Minnesota State but sitting out this season due to signing previously with Niagara before re-opening his recruitment. He can practice with the Mavericks but hasn't due to offseason surgery. By the way, I recently stumbled across a Q&A with Furry from September in which he talks about going to Minnesota State and how he almost ended up going to Bowling Green to play club hockey.
So who is playing this weekend? Let's look around the WCHA ...
Bemidji State at Ferris State: After getting win No. 300 for coach Tom Serratore, the Beavers will try to keep pace in the top half of the league when they take on the Bulldogs. BSU's freshmen defensemen, with names familiar to southern Minnesota, are off to good starts, too. Ferris State is looking for its first win in conference play.
Michigan Tech at Lake Superior State: The Huskies, who were swept by Minnesota State last weekend, are in unfamiliar territory at 1-5-0 in league play, but, perhaps, they're ready to break out after a tough schedule. The Lakers were outscored 12-2 at Bemidji last weekend and are hoping to rebound at home, where they're 4-2 with the two close losses coming against Denver.
Alaska at Northern Michigan: The host Wildcats are looking to bounce back after a tie and overtime loss at home to St. Cloud State last weekend. The Nanooks, meanwhile, are 6-6-0 and hoping to do what they did last time they were in the UP and sweep a conference series (they took two games at Tech on Oct. 11-12).
Bowling Green at Alaska Anchorage: The Falcons had last weekend off following their split in Mankato on Nov. 1-2. They'll go to Anchorage to play the Seawolves (next week's MSU opponent), who already have matched their league win total of last year (two), are on a three-game unbeaten streak (1-0-2) and are 2-1-2 in their last five games. Beth Bragg of the Anchorage Daily News has the story on a UAA player who is a survivor of the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash from April of 2018. Brayden Camrud is one of 13 survivors, one of three still playing hockey and the only one playing Division I hockey. Bragg also wrote last week that college sports at the Alaska schools, including hockey, are safe for at least another year.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Mavs No. 1; McKay, Looft honored
Minnesota State moved up to No. 1 in the nation in the USCHO rankings, following their sweep at Michigan Tech (and Denver's tie and loss at Minnesota Duluth. Denver is a close second, and the Mavericks and Pioneers are actually tied top the USA Today/USA Hockey poll (although DU got more first-place votes in that one).
USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll Minneapolis, Minn./November 11, 2019 Team (First Place) Record Pts Last Week 1 Minnesota State (25) 8- 1-1 961 3 2 Denver (15) 8- 1-1 913 1 3 Cornell ( 5) 4- 0-0 890 4 4 Notre Dame ( 4) 7- 0-1 882 5 5 Massachusetts ( 1) 6- 2-0 774 2 6 Minnesota Duluth 4- 3-1 734 7 7 Clarkson 7- 2-1 671 8 8 Penn State 7- 2-0 639 6 9 North Dakota 7- 1-1 620 10 10 Providence 5- 3-2 473 11 11 Ohio State 6- 3-1 470 9 12 UMass Lowell 7- 2-3 406 14 13 Harvard 3- 0-0 389 18 14 Northeastern 5- 3-2 359 13 15 Wisconsin 5- 5-0 307 12 16 Boston College 5- 4-0 193 19 17 Bowling Green 5- 4-0 166 17 18 Northern Michigan 6- 2-2 160 16 19 Omaha 5- 2-1 127 20 20 Western Michigan 5- 3-2 87 NR Others receiving votes: RIT 77, Quinnipiac 75, New Hampshire 42, St. Cloud 33, Maine 24, Boston University 11, Arizona State 7, Alaska 5, Brown 5.
Meanwhile, the WCHA weekly awards came out on Monday, too, and Mavericks goaltender Dryden McKay was named the league's goaltender of the week after allowing one goal on 49 shots in the sweep over the Huskies. McKay stopped 31 shots for his second shutout of the season and sixth of his career on Friday. McKay ranks third in the nation in save percentage (.946) and second in goals-against average (1.32).
Among the other WCHA award winners was Mankato native and former Mankato West player Kyle Looft. The Bemidji State freshman was the league's defenseman of the week. He recorded his first college points, assisting on two goals, and was plus-3 in Friday's 7-1 victory over visiting Lake Superior State. The Beavers won 5-1 on Saturday. Looft has played in four games this season. He's plus-3 with seven shots on goal.
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Mavericks 2, Huskies 1
Freddy's three thoughts (from afar) ...
1. Clean sweep: Minnesota State finished off the series sweep of the Huskies, winning a low-scoring game against a team desperate to win at home. Michigan Tech is now 0-4 in Houghton this year, while the Mavericks improved to 4-0 on the road. Charlie Gerard and Parker Tuomie scored goals, and Dryden McKay made 17 saves the night after a 31-save shutout.
2. Line sheet shakeup: Coach Mike Hastings shuffled the lines again, making life tough for radio announcers by putting Charlie Gerard and Dallas Gerads on the same line (with Marc Michaelis). Lucas Sowder was a scratch, and Ryan Sandelin was put in. Hastings said Sandelin had one of his best games so far this season "at both ends of the rink."
3. Break time: The Mavericks went 8-1-1 in their first 10 games. A darn good star that deserves a bit of a break. Minnesota State will be off next week before returning to play the following weekend with a home series against Alaska Anchorage. Hastings said he hopes that Jake Jaremko and Chris Van Os-Shaw will be healthy by then.
Read more here.
Around the WCHA: Bemidji State 5, Lake Superior State 1 ... Alaska Anchorage 3, Alabama Huntsville 1 ... St. Cloud State 5, Northern Michigan 4 (OT) ... Western Michigan 8, Ferris State 2 ... Arizona State at Alaska (late)
1. Clean sweep: Minnesota State finished off the series sweep of the Huskies, winning a low-scoring game against a team desperate to win at home. Michigan Tech is now 0-4 in Houghton this year, while the Mavericks improved to 4-0 on the road. Charlie Gerard and Parker Tuomie scored goals, and Dryden McKay made 17 saves the night after a 31-save shutout.
2. Line sheet shakeup: Coach Mike Hastings shuffled the lines again, making life tough for radio announcers by putting Charlie Gerard and Dallas Gerads on the same line (with Marc Michaelis). Lucas Sowder was a scratch, and Ryan Sandelin was put in. Hastings said Sandelin had one of his best games so far this season "at both ends of the rink."
3. Break time: The Mavericks went 8-1-1 in their first 10 games. A darn good star that deserves a bit of a break. Minnesota State will be off next week before returning to play the following weekend with a home series against Alaska Anchorage. Hastings said he hopes that Jake Jaremko and Chris Van Os-Shaw will be healthy by then.
Read more here.
Around the WCHA: Bemidji State 5, Lake Superior State 1 ... Alaska Anchorage 3, Alabama Huntsville 1 ... St. Cloud State 5, Northern Michigan 4 (OT) ... Western Michigan 8, Ferris State 2 ... Arizona State at Alaska (late)
Friday, November 8, 2019
Mavericks 3, Huskies 0
Freddy's three thoughts (from afar) ...
1. Life saver: Mavericks goaltender Dryden McKay recorded his sixth career shutout on Friday, stopping 31 shots, including 16 in the third period. He also made three big saves in a scoreless first period with his team getting off to a bit of a slow start. McKay equaled his previous high for most saves in a shutout. He also stopped 31 on March 16 in the WCHA playoffs against Lake Superior State. Earlier this season, he made 14 saves in a 5-0 win over Arizona State.
2. Middle men: Minnesota State struggled in the second period of both games against Bowling Green last weekend, and it cost the Mavericks one game. On Friday at Michigan Tech, the second period was MSU's best period, as it scored two goals, including Julian Napravnik's power-play goal during a five-minute major that put the Mavericks up 2-0. Reggie Lutz scored the first goal of the game. Jared Spooner added an insurance goal 61 seconds into the third.
3. Shuffle function: The Mavericks' lines looked a bit different on Saturday, as Napravnik was on the top line with Marc Michaelis and Charlie Gerard. Parker Tuomie was put with the freshmen, Nathan Smith and Lucas Sowder; they were listed as the fourth line. Also, for the first time this year the six defensemen on the lineup were different as Wyatt Aamodt was listed among the group. Andy Carroll was listed as the extra skater, although it appeared he played quite a bit.
Read more here.
Around the WCHA: Bemidji State 7, Lake Superior State 1 ... Western Michigan 4, Ferris State 2 ... St. Cloud State 3, Northern Michigan 3 (OT) ... Alaska Anchorage 4, Alabama Huntsville 4 (OT, UAA wins shootout) ... Arizona State at Alaska (late)
1. Life saver: Mavericks goaltender Dryden McKay recorded his sixth career shutout on Friday, stopping 31 shots, including 16 in the third period. He also made three big saves in a scoreless first period with his team getting off to a bit of a slow start. McKay equaled his previous high for most saves in a shutout. He also stopped 31 on March 16 in the WCHA playoffs against Lake Superior State. Earlier this season, he made 14 saves in a 5-0 win over Arizona State.
2. Middle men: Minnesota State struggled in the second period of both games against Bowling Green last weekend, and it cost the Mavericks one game. On Friday at Michigan Tech, the second period was MSU's best period, as it scored two goals, including Julian Napravnik's power-play goal during a five-minute major that put the Mavericks up 2-0. Reggie Lutz scored the first goal of the game. Jared Spooner added an insurance goal 61 seconds into the third.
3. Shuffle function: The Mavericks' lines looked a bit different on Saturday, as Napravnik was on the top line with Marc Michaelis and Charlie Gerard. Parker Tuomie was put with the freshmen, Nathan Smith and Lucas Sowder; they were listed as the fourth line. Also, for the first time this year the six defensemen on the lineup were different as Wyatt Aamodt was listed among the group. Andy Carroll was listed as the extra skater, although it appeared he played quite a bit.
Read more here.
Around the WCHA: Bemidji State 7, Lake Superior State 1 ... Western Michigan 4, Ferris State 2 ... St. Cloud State 3, Northern Michigan 3 (OT) ... Alaska Anchorage 4, Alabama Huntsville 4 (OT, UAA wins shootout) ... Arizona State at Alaska (late)
Friday Morning Skate
The No. 3 Mavericks are in Houghton this weekend (Puckato, sadly, is not) for a matchup against Michigan Tech. It is MSU's second road trip of the season.
Minnesota State got Dallas Gerads back in the lineup last weekend, and he provided a boost to a forward group that's had to be mixed and matched throughout the season's first eight games due to injuries and illnesses.
Tech has won once in its last five games and was swept in its only home series so far this season, so it will be motivated for sure.
Going around the rest of the WCHA ...
Lake Superior State at Bemidji State: This should be a good series between a pair of teams vying for the league's upper division. The Lakers have played one of the tougher schedules in the WCHA this season and got a pair of much-needed wins against Ferris State last weekend. The Beavers split at Alaska last week and are hoping to find a way to get their power play going this weekend..
Alaska Anchorage at Alabama Huntsville: These two teams have just one win between them so far. The host Chargers are looking for their first victory of the season, although they should be encouraged that they played Northern Michigan tough a week ago. The Seawolves are on the road for the second time this season.
St. Cloud State at Northern Michigan: The No. 16 Wildcats are 6-1-1 and the surprise of the WCHA, considering how much talent graduated from last year's team. They'll have a tough test this weekend with a nonconference series against the Huskies, a team that outscored them 9-1 early last season.
Ferris State at/vs. Western Michigan: The Bulldogs will try to snap a four-game losing streak with a nonconference, home-and-home series against the Broncos, who are 3-3-2 despite some high preseason expectations.
Arizona State at Alaska: The Nanooks are 5-5-0 and feeling pretty good about their start. They will step out of league play and host the Sun Devils, who have won four games in a row since getting swept at Minnesota State on Oct. 11-12.
Minnesota State got Dallas Gerads back in the lineup last weekend, and he provided a boost to a forward group that's had to be mixed and matched throughout the season's first eight games due to injuries and illnesses.
Tech has won once in its last five games and was swept in its only home series so far this season, so it will be motivated for sure.
Going around the rest of the WCHA ...
Lake Superior State at Bemidji State: This should be a good series between a pair of teams vying for the league's upper division. The Lakers have played one of the tougher schedules in the WCHA this season and got a pair of much-needed wins against Ferris State last weekend. The Beavers split at Alaska last week and are hoping to find a way to get their power play going this weekend..
Alaska Anchorage at Alabama Huntsville: These two teams have just one win between them so far. The host Chargers are looking for their first victory of the season, although they should be encouraged that they played Northern Michigan tough a week ago. The Seawolves are on the road for the second time this season.
St. Cloud State at Northern Michigan: The No. 16 Wildcats are 6-1-1 and the surprise of the WCHA, considering how much talent graduated from last year's team. They'll have a tough test this weekend with a nonconference series against the Huskies, a team that outscored them 9-1 early last season.
Ferris State at/vs. Western Michigan: The Bulldogs will try to snap a four-game losing streak with a nonconference, home-and-home series against the Broncos, who are 3-3-2 despite some high preseason expectations.
Arizona State at Alaska: The Nanooks are 5-5-0 and feeling pretty good about their start. They will step out of league play and host the Sun Devils, who have won four games in a row since getting swept at Minnesota State on Oct. 11-12.
Saturday, November 2, 2019
Mavericks 5, Falcons 1
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Good response: I was curious to see how Minnesota State would respond to losing its first game of the season and first game at home in a long time. They got off to another good start, but, more impressively, closed out the Falcons with three goals in the third period, extending a 2-1 lead to a 5-1 final. "I liked it," said senior forward Parker Tuomie, who had two assists, including his 100th career point. "Obviously, Bowling Green is a really good team. They gave us a pretty hard push, and we were able to (withstand) it."
2. Three apples: Dallas Gerads had three assists in his second game back after missing four games with injury. He made a nice, soft pass to Connor Mackey as the defenseman went to the net for the game's first goal and helped on the Mavericks' first two goals of the third period. Gerads, who was minus-2 playing with two rookies on Friday, was moved to a veteran line with Jared Spooner and Reggie Lutz on Saturday. "I thought Dallas Gerads was influential in the outcome of the game — physically, offensively, defensively," coach Mike Hastings said. "Whenever you play Bowling Green, you’re going to have to play a hard game because they’re going to make you earn everything you get."
3. Good in goal: Dryden McKay continues to be solid in goal. The sophomore made 23 saves on Saturday, none bigger than the breakaway chance he stopped less than a minute after Spooner gave the Falcons a two-goal cushion in the third period. McKay allowed Alec Rauhauser's breakaway goal in the first period, which came 39 seconds after Mackey got the scoring started. McKay actually made the first save on Rauhauser but the rebound went right back to the talented BG defenseman, and he popped it in to tie the game.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Lake Superior State 4, Ferris State 3 ... Northern Michigan 4, Alabama Huntsville 2 ... North Dakota 3, Michigan Tech 1 ... Bemidji State at Alaska (late)
1. Good response: I was curious to see how Minnesota State would respond to losing its first game of the season and first game at home in a long time. They got off to another good start, but, more impressively, closed out the Falcons with three goals in the third period, extending a 2-1 lead to a 5-1 final. "I liked it," said senior forward Parker Tuomie, who had two assists, including his 100th career point. "Obviously, Bowling Green is a really good team. They gave us a pretty hard push, and we were able to (withstand) it."
2. Three apples: Dallas Gerads had three assists in his second game back after missing four games with injury. He made a nice, soft pass to Connor Mackey as the defenseman went to the net for the game's first goal and helped on the Mavericks' first two goals of the third period. Gerads, who was minus-2 playing with two rookies on Friday, was moved to a veteran line with Jared Spooner and Reggie Lutz on Saturday. "I thought Dallas Gerads was influential in the outcome of the game — physically, offensively, defensively," coach Mike Hastings said. "Whenever you play Bowling Green, you’re going to have to play a hard game because they’re going to make you earn everything you get."
3. Good in goal: Dryden McKay continues to be solid in goal. The sophomore made 23 saves on Saturday, none bigger than the breakaway chance he stopped less than a minute after Spooner gave the Falcons a two-goal cushion in the third period. McKay allowed Alec Rauhauser's breakaway goal in the first period, which came 39 seconds after Mackey got the scoring started. McKay actually made the first save on Rauhauser but the rebound went right back to the talented BG defenseman, and he popped it in to tie the game.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Lake Superior State 4, Ferris State 3 ... Northern Michigan 4, Alabama Huntsville 2 ... North Dakota 3, Michigan Tech 1 ... Bemidji State at Alaska (late)
Minnesota State vs. Bowling Green, Game 2
The Mavericks will try to salvage a series split with the Falcons on Saturday after falling 3-2 in overtime on Friday. A little shuffling of the lines but nothing major ...
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
23-Rivera, 26-French, 15-Napravnik
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 16-Lutz
21-Sowder, 8-Smith, 17-Duehr
14-Sandelin
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
1-Stauber
31-Berger
Scratches: Aamodt, Borchardt, Bukes, Jaremko, Malinowski, McMahan, Van Os-Shaw
BOWLING GREEN
28-Kruse, 10-Johnson, 6-Barber
25-Craggs, 11-Schneider, 8-LeTourneau
17-Linkenheld, 20-Ford, 16-Wright
18-St. Jean, 22-Pitters, 13-Conquest
23-Rauhauser, 7-Lloyd
27-Theocharidis, 2-Cullen
14-Wells, 4-Daly
3-Musser
31-Dop
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
23-Rivera, 26-French, 15-Napravnik
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 16-Lutz
21-Sowder, 8-Smith, 17-Duehr
14-Sandelin
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
1-Stauber
31-Berger
Scratches: Aamodt, Borchardt, Bukes, Jaremko, Malinowski, McMahan, Van Os-Shaw
BOWLING GREEN
28-Kruse, 10-Johnson, 6-Barber
25-Craggs, 11-Schneider, 8-LeTourneau
17-Linkenheld, 20-Ford, 16-Wright
18-St. Jean, 22-Pitters, 13-Conquest
23-Rauhauser, 7-Lloyd
27-Theocharidis, 2-Cullen
14-Wells, 4-Daly
3-Musser
31-Dop
40-Rose
Friday, November 1, 2019
Falcons 3, Mavericks 2 (OT)
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. If it's MSU and it's BG, it's OT: The Mavericks and Falcons played their eighth overtime game in 22 meetings since Bowling Green joined the WCHA in 2013-14. The last time that happened in Mankato, MSU erased a 2-0 deficit in the info 2 minutes of regulation and won in overtime for the WCHA playoff championship. On Friday, the Mavericks got up 2-0 before the first period was 10 minutes old and the Falcons erased that less dramatically, with a goal before the first period ended and another in the second before winning in overtime. Prior to the game, the big board showed MSU's goals from last March's championship game. That fired up the crowd, but maybe it fired up the Falcons, too.
2. First loss: The Mavericks suffered their first loss of the season and first loss since Jan. 19 of last season when Lake Superior State beat them 1-0. That was Minnesota State's lone home loss last year, and they went unbeaten in their next 13 games after that, including their first four games at the civic center this season. "We didn’t have everybody on board pulling a piece of the rope," Mavericks coach Mike Hastings said. "We had some passengers. That’s going to happen with some young guys and it did. We just had too many of them." Minnesota State's top line of Marc Michaelis, Parker Tuomie and Charlie Gerard was good, teaming up for a goal and having a combined 12 shots on goal. But credit Eric Dop for his play in goal, especially on a big save on Tuomie that would have made it 3-0 in the first period.
3. Young guns blanked: Freshman Lucas Sowder was held off the score sheet for the first time this season, and fellow rookie Nathan Smith was also blanked. Neither had a shot on goal, and Sowder had a good scoring chance on an gaping net go just under his stick in the third period. They were each minus-2 (along with linemate Dallas Gerads), and Smith took two penalties. "A couple young guys had their first rough night, their first experience of what its like to be on the other side of the coin," Hastings said. "Those are experiences you have to go through." Gerads, a junior, was back in the lineup after missing four games, but veterans Jake Jaremko (illness) and Chris Van Os-Shaw (upper body) were both out. Freshman Cade Borchardt was the extra skater and got limited shifts.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Lake Superior State 5, Ferris State 4 (OT) ... Northern Michigan 5, Alabama Huntsville 3 ... Bemidji State 4, Alaska 0 ... Omaha 3, Alaska Anchorage 3 (OT)
1. If it's MSU and it's BG, it's OT: The Mavericks and Falcons played their eighth overtime game in 22 meetings since Bowling Green joined the WCHA in 2013-14. The last time that happened in Mankato, MSU erased a 2-0 deficit in the info 2 minutes of regulation and won in overtime for the WCHA playoff championship. On Friday, the Mavericks got up 2-0 before the first period was 10 minutes old and the Falcons erased that less dramatically, with a goal before the first period ended and another in the second before winning in overtime. Prior to the game, the big board showed MSU's goals from last March's championship game. That fired up the crowd, but maybe it fired up the Falcons, too.
2. First loss: The Mavericks suffered their first loss of the season and first loss since Jan. 19 of last season when Lake Superior State beat them 1-0. That was Minnesota State's lone home loss last year, and they went unbeaten in their next 13 games after that, including their first four games at the civic center this season. "We didn’t have everybody on board pulling a piece of the rope," Mavericks coach Mike Hastings said. "We had some passengers. That’s going to happen with some young guys and it did. We just had too many of them." Minnesota State's top line of Marc Michaelis, Parker Tuomie and Charlie Gerard was good, teaming up for a goal and having a combined 12 shots on goal. But credit Eric Dop for his play in goal, especially on a big save on Tuomie that would have made it 3-0 in the first period.
3. Young guns blanked: Freshman Lucas Sowder was held off the score sheet for the first time this season, and fellow rookie Nathan Smith was also blanked. Neither had a shot on goal, and Sowder had a good scoring chance on an gaping net go just under his stick in the third period. They were each minus-2 (along with linemate Dallas Gerads), and Smith took two penalties. "A couple young guys had their first rough night, their first experience of what its like to be on the other side of the coin," Hastings said. "Those are experiences you have to go through." Gerads, a junior, was back in the lineup after missing four games, but veterans Jake Jaremko (illness) and Chris Van Os-Shaw (upper body) were both out. Freshman Cade Borchardt was the extra skater and got limited shifts.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Lake Superior State 5, Ferris State 4 (OT) ... Northern Michigan 5, Alabama Huntsville 3 ... Bemidji State 4, Alaska 0 ... Omaha 3, Alaska Anchorage 3 (OT)
Minnesota State vs. Bowling Green
The No. 2 Mavericks and No. 18 Falcons will play for the first time since last year's WCHA championship game. Should be a good one. Here are tonight's lines.
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
22-Gerads, 8-Smith, 21-Sowder
15-Lutz, 11-Spooner, 15-Napravnik
23-Rivera, 26-French, 17-Duehr
28-Borchardt
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
1-Stauber
31-Berger
Scratches: Aamodt, Bukes, Jaremko, Malinowski, McMahan, Sandelin, Van Os-Shaw
BOWLING GREEN
28-Kruse, 10-Johnson, 6-Barber
25-Craggs, 11-Schneider, 8-LeTourneau
17-Linkenheld, 20-Ford, 16-Wright
18-St. Jean, 22-Pitters, 13-Conquest
23-Rauhauser, 7-Lloyd
27-Theocharidis, 2-Cullen
14-Wells, 4-Daly
3-Musser
31-Dop
40-Rose
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
22-Gerads, 8-Smith, 21-Sowder
15-Lutz, 11-Spooner, 15-Napravnik
23-Rivera, 26-French, 17-Duehr
28-Borchardt
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
1-Stauber
31-Berger
Scratches: Aamodt, Bukes, Jaremko, Malinowski, McMahan, Sandelin, Van Os-Shaw
BOWLING GREEN
28-Kruse, 10-Johnson, 6-Barber
25-Craggs, 11-Schneider, 8-LeTourneau
17-Linkenheld, 20-Ford, 16-Wright
18-St. Jean, 22-Pitters, 13-Conquest
23-Rauhauser, 7-Lloyd
27-Theocharidis, 2-Cullen
14-Wells, 4-Daly
3-Musser
31-Dop
40-Rose
Friday morning skate
It's a big weekend in Mankato — bigger than the North Dakota weekend, I say — as No. 18 Bowling Green comes to town for the first time since that memorable WCHA championship night in March. Should be a fun weekend of hockey between the No. 2 Mavericks and the Falcons.
For Minnesota State, junior defenseman Connor Mackey is off to a good start again, matured, he says, by the end of last season, a rollercoaster ride that involved the best of times and the worst of times sports can offer, followed by a difficult decision about his future as a player.
The Rink Live takes a look back at last year's WCHA title game with game-winning-goal scorer Nick Rivera.
Bowling Green is coming off a home split against Michigan Tech to start its WCHA schedule.
Going around the WCHA ...
Alaska Anchorage vs. Omaha: This nonconference series started on Thursday night with the red Mavericks winning a tight one, 4-3, in Anchorage.
Alabama Huntsville at Northern Michigan: The winless Chargers are back on the road after dropping two games to the Mavericks. The Wildcats, meanwhile, are back in Marquette after a successful road swing in which they went 3-0-1 against Boston University and Ferris State. College Hockey News takes a good look at NMU coach Grant Potulny, who is starting his third season.
Bemidji State at Alaska: The Beavers are looking for their first win on what they're calling their toughest road trip of the season. They've played St. Cloud State and North Dakota tough and are 0-2-2. The 4-4-0 Nanooks are home for the first time since opening weekend. They split at Anchorage last weekend.
Ferris State at Lake Superior State: The host Lakers begin WCHA play this weekend and will try to stop a six-game losing streak that came against some tough competition — Denver, Michigan and Notre Dame. The Bulldogs dropped two games to start conference play last week at home against Northern.
Michigan Tech at North Dakota: This single game on Saturday is the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game and should be a good one as the 3-3-0 Huskies go to Grand Forks for the first time since the 2013 WCHA playoffs.
Also this weekend, the Minnesota State women are at home hoping to an extend their four-game unbeaten streak, and the Gustavus Adolphus teams are starting their seasons.
For Minnesota State, junior defenseman Connor Mackey is off to a good start again, matured, he says, by the end of last season, a rollercoaster ride that involved the best of times and the worst of times sports can offer, followed by a difficult decision about his future as a player.
The Rink Live takes a look back at last year's WCHA title game with game-winning-goal scorer Nick Rivera.
Bowling Green is coming off a home split against Michigan Tech to start its WCHA schedule.
Going around the WCHA ...
Alaska Anchorage vs. Omaha: This nonconference series started on Thursday night with the red Mavericks winning a tight one, 4-3, in Anchorage.
Alabama Huntsville at Northern Michigan: The winless Chargers are back on the road after dropping two games to the Mavericks. The Wildcats, meanwhile, are back in Marquette after a successful road swing in which they went 3-0-1 against Boston University and Ferris State. College Hockey News takes a good look at NMU coach Grant Potulny, who is starting his third season.
Bemidji State at Alaska: The Beavers are looking for their first win on what they're calling their toughest road trip of the season. They've played St. Cloud State and North Dakota tough and are 0-2-2. The 4-4-0 Nanooks are home for the first time since opening weekend. They split at Anchorage last weekend.
Ferris State at Lake Superior State: The host Lakers begin WCHA play this weekend and will try to stop a six-game losing streak that came against some tough competition — Denver, Michigan and Notre Dame. The Bulldogs dropped two games to start conference play last week at home against Northern.
Michigan Tech at North Dakota: This single game on Saturday is the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game and should be a good one as the 3-3-0 Huskies go to Grand Forks for the first time since the 2013 WCHA playoffs.
Also this weekend, the Minnesota State women are at home hoping to an extend their four-game unbeaten streak, and the Gustavus Adolphus teams are starting their seasons.
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