Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Feeling better: I'm not sure if Minnesota State completely flushed Saturday's clunker against St. Cloud State, but bouncing back to beat Bemidji State with a really solid first period and a shutout from Dryden McKay (his fifth of the season and ninth of his career) was a big-time rebound for the Mavericks. Marc Michaelis and Reggie Lutz scored first-period goals, and that was enough to get through the next 40 minutes against a really good defensive team.
2. Shot-blockin': The Mavericks closed out the game by blocking six shots during a penalty kill with under 4 minutes to play. The Beavers pulled goalie Henry Johnson for an extra attacker, and although Minnesota State couldn't pot an empty-netter, its efforts to get in front of shots and preserve the win was impressive. "You knew Bemidji was going to take a push, especially when we took a penalty. ..." coach Mike Hastings said. "I thought we had some selfless acts on the penalty kill, and we didn’t have a lot of that last night."
3. Newbies come through: Saturday's debacle led to some major line changes on Sunday. Out were Charlie Gerard, Dallas Gerads, Walker Duehr and Chris Van Os-Shaw. In were rookies Ryan Sandelin, Cade Borchardt and Colby Bukes, along with Jared Spooner, who was out sick on Saturday. (Connor Mackey remained out with a lower-body injury.) Bukes, a defenseman, was playing just his second college game and assisted on Lutz’s goal for his first collegiate point. Borchardt was playing in his sixth game and got some power-play time. "Best thing for the coach is there’s some competition right now," Hastings said.
Read my game story here.
Sunday, December 29, 2019
Minnesota State vs. Bemidji State
The Mavericks and Beavers will play for the first of at least five times this season in the third-place game of the Mariucci Classic. This is a nonconference game. Minnesota State's lines are mixed up after Saturday's 7-2 thumping by St. Cloud State.
Here are the lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 21-Sowder
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 8-Smith
15-Napravnik, 11-Spooner, 28-Borchardt
23-Rivera, 26-French, 14-Sandelin
4-Carroll, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
7-Aamodt, 12-Bukes
24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Gerads, Gerard, Mackey, Malinowski, McMahan, Van Os-Shaw
BEMIDJI STATE
19-Brady, 17-Armour, 26-Cardelli
9-Somoza, 27-Kirkup, 16-Miller
11-Combs, 12-Sillinger, 14-Ierullo
6-Solensky, 23-Sjodahl, 25-Adams
3-Muck, 22-Vold
2-Zmolek, 28-Rosen
7-Looft, 18-Johnson
8-Gula
29-Johnson
35-Carr
Here are the lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 21-Sowder
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 8-Smith
15-Napravnik, 11-Spooner, 28-Borchardt
23-Rivera, 26-French, 14-Sandelin
4-Carroll, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
7-Aamodt, 12-Bukes
24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Gerads, Gerard, Mackey, Malinowski, McMahan, Van Os-Shaw
BEMIDJI STATE
19-Brady, 17-Armour, 26-Cardelli
9-Somoza, 27-Kirkup, 16-Miller
11-Combs, 12-Sillinger, 14-Ierullo
6-Solensky, 23-Sjodahl, 25-Adams
3-Muck, 22-Vold
2-Zmolek, 28-Rosen
7-Looft, 18-Johnson
8-Gula
29-Johnson
35-Carr
Saturday, December 28, 2019
Huskies 7, Mavericks 2
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Total system failure: It's hard to find anything that went right for Minnesota State in that game. St. Cloud State was the better team in all three zones and at all three positions. "I thought they played in groups of five," coach Mike Hastings said. "It didn’t matter what five were out there." And it didn't seem to matter which five MSU players were on the ice. It wasn't like the Huskies just took advantage of one bad matchup. Then again, who would have expected freshman Zach Okabe, who had no points going into the game, to end up with four goals, including the first three of the game?
2. Injury report: Minnesota State played without junior defenseman Connor Mackey, their best D-man, as he is out with a lower-body injury. Wyatt Aamodt took his place in the lineup, getting his fourth game of the season after missing time with his own injury. He actually ended up with a team-high four shots on goal. Not sure how much difference Mackey would have made with the way things went, but the Huskies found ways to get behind MSU's defense to take control of the game. Junior center Jared Spooner was also out with an illness. He participated in warmups but ended up not playing.
3. Losing streak: The Mavericks have now lost two games in a row after winning 10 straight. The last time they lost two in a row was this time last year when they dropped three straight, two at Bowling Green and one against Minnesota Duluth at Arizona State's tournament. The last time they gave up seven goals in a game was a 7-4 loss at Ferris State on Nov. 7, 2015. The last time they allowed seven with none being an empty-netter (like Saturday's game) was March 21, 2013 against Wisconsin in the WCHA Final Five when they lost 7-2. The Mavericks will try to break the losing streak against either Minnesota or Bemidji State on Sunday,
Read my game story here.
1. Total system failure: It's hard to find anything that went right for Minnesota State in that game. St. Cloud State was the better team in all three zones and at all three positions. "I thought they played in groups of five," coach Mike Hastings said. "It didn’t matter what five were out there." And it didn't seem to matter which five MSU players were on the ice. It wasn't like the Huskies just took advantage of one bad matchup. Then again, who would have expected freshman Zach Okabe, who had no points going into the game, to end up with four goals, including the first three of the game?
2. Injury report: Minnesota State played without junior defenseman Connor Mackey, their best D-man, as he is out with a lower-body injury. Wyatt Aamodt took his place in the lineup, getting his fourth game of the season after missing time with his own injury. He actually ended up with a team-high four shots on goal. Not sure how much difference Mackey would have made with the way things went, but the Huskies found ways to get behind MSU's defense to take control of the game. Junior center Jared Spooner was also out with an illness. He participated in warmups but ended up not playing.
3. Losing streak: The Mavericks have now lost two games in a row after winning 10 straight. The last time they lost two in a row was this time last year when they dropped three straight, two at Bowling Green and one against Minnesota Duluth at Arizona State's tournament. The last time they gave up seven goals in a game was a 7-4 loss at Ferris State on Nov. 7, 2015. The last time they allowed seven with none being an empty-netter (like Saturday's game) was March 21, 2013 against Wisconsin in the WCHA Final Five when they lost 7-2. The Mavericks will try to break the losing streak against either Minnesota or Bemidji State on Sunday,
Read my game story here.
Minnesota State vs. St. Cloud State, Mariucci Classic
The Mavericks and Huskies will square off in the first game of the Mariucci Classic at Mariucci Arena today. Minnesota State will be without defenseman Connor Mackey (lower body) and will decide between Chris Van Os-Shaw and Jared Spooner as the extra skater after warmups.
Here are the lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 15-Napravnik
22-Gerads, 8-Smith, 21-Sowder
23-Rivera, 26-French, 17-Duehr
19-Van Os-Shaw or 11-Spooner
4-Carroll, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
7-Aamodt, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Bukes, Borchardt, Mackey, Malinowski, McMahan, Sandelin
ST. CLOUD STATE
3-J. Poehling, 28-Fitzgerald, 7-N. Poehling
26-Brodzinski, 19-Hentges, 20-Walker
27-Brand, 13-Krannila, 14-Okabe
21-Wahlin, 16-Hammer, 15-Miller
12-Ahcan, 25-Perbix
5-Trejbal, 9-Meier
18-Bushy, 6-Jaycox
8-Anderson or 2-Kuster
40-Castor
34-Hrenak
30-Lamoreaux
Here are the lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 15-Napravnik
22-Gerads, 8-Smith, 21-Sowder
23-Rivera, 26-French, 17-Duehr
19-Van Os-Shaw or 11-Spooner
4-Carroll, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
7-Aamodt, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Bukes, Borchardt, Mackey, Malinowski, McMahan, Sandelin
ST. CLOUD STATE
3-J. Poehling, 28-Fitzgerald, 7-N. Poehling
26-Brodzinski, 19-Hentges, 20-Walker
27-Brand, 13-Krannila, 14-Okabe
21-Wahlin, 16-Hammer, 15-Miller
12-Ahcan, 25-Perbix
5-Trejbal, 9-Meier
18-Bushy, 6-Jaycox
8-Anderson or 2-Kuster
40-Castor
34-Hrenak
30-Lamoreaux
Saturday Morning Skate
The Mavericks are back in action after a brief holiday break, playing today in the Mariucci Classic in Minneapolis. For the first time, Minnesota's holiday tournament is an all-Minnesota affair, featuring St. Cloud State and Bemidji State, too.
Minnesota State plays St. Cloud State at 4 p.m. today, with Minnesota and Bemidji State squaring off at 7 p.m. The two winners and two losers will play each other on Sunday, with the Gophers getting the late game either way. For more on each team, see the College Hockey Gameday in The Free Press.
The games will be the final ones, not only of the year, but of the decade for the Mavericks, and what a decade it's been for them and for college hockey.
Read more previews of the Mariucci Classic from the Star Tribune, and The Rink Live.
As for other WCHA teams, Lake Superior State is in Vermont's Catamount Cup this weekend, playing Providence today and Vermont on Sunday.
On Monday and Tuesday, the Great Lakes Invitational takes place in Detroit, with Michigan Tech playing Michigan State and Ferris State playing Michigan to start the tournament.
Also Monday, Bowling Green and Miami play each other again, as the Falcons take on former coach Chris Bergeron again, this time at Miami. They played on Oct. 6 at Bowling Green with the Falcons winning the season-opener 7-4.
Minnesota State plays St. Cloud State at 4 p.m. today, with Minnesota and Bemidji State squaring off at 7 p.m. The two winners and two losers will play each other on Sunday, with the Gophers getting the late game either way. For more on each team, see the College Hockey Gameday in The Free Press.
The games will be the final ones, not only of the year, but of the decade for the Mavericks, and what a decade it's been for them and for college hockey.
Read more previews of the Mariucci Classic from the Star Tribune, and The Rink Live.
As for other WCHA teams, Lake Superior State is in Vermont's Catamount Cup this weekend, playing Providence today and Vermont on Sunday.
On Monday and Tuesday, the Great Lakes Invitational takes place in Detroit, with Michigan Tech playing Michigan State and Ferris State playing Michigan to start the tournament.
Also Monday, Bowling Green and Miami play each other again, as the Falcons take on former coach Chris Bergeron again, this time at Miami. They played on Oct. 6 at Bowling Green with the Falcons winning the season-opener 7-4.
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Mavericks drop to No. 2
After losing for just the second time this season, Minnesota State dropped to No. 2 in both national polls. The Mavericks are also No. 3 in the Pairwise at the midway point of the season. Here's a look at the USCHO poll:
USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll Minneapolis, Minn./December 16, 2019 Team (First Place) Record Pts Last Week 1 North Dakota (33) 14- 1-2 979 2 2 Minnesota State (13) 15- 2-1 948 1 3 Cornell ( 4) 10- 1-0 917 3 4 Clarkson 12- 3-2 813 4 5 Boston College 11- 4-0 789 5 6 Denver 11- 4-3 699 8 6 Ohio State 10- 4-2 699 6 8 Penn State 13- 6-0 647 7 9 Massachusetts 12- 4-1 628 9 10 Minnesota Duluth 9- 6-1 506 11 11 Bowling Green 12- 6-1 463 10 12 Northeastern 11- 5-2 450 12 13 Providence 9- 5-3 407 13 14 UMass Lowell 10- 4-4 397 14 15 Notre Dame 9- 7-2 311 15 16 Arizona State 9- 5-2 278 16 17 Harvard 6- 4-0 174 17 18 Michigan State 9- 8-1 145 18 19 Western Michigan 7- 7-2 77 19 20 Sacred Heart 11- 6-1 56 20 Others receiving votes: Army 31, Michigan Tech 31, Northern Michigan 31, Alaska 7, Bemidji State 5, Boston University 4, Quinnipiac 4, RIT 3, Dartmouth 1.
You can find the USA Hockey/USA Today poll here and the Pairwise here.
As for the WCHA standings, Minnesota State is in first place with 30 points in 12 games (two games shy of half). Bemidji State is in second place with 25 points in 12 games. Alaska and Michigan Tech are tied for third with 24 points in 14 games.
Saturday, December 14, 2019
Wildcats 4, Mavericks 1
Freddy's three thoughts (from afar):
1. Berger Time: Jacob Berger made his college debut in goal on Saturday and got off to a good start. But two goals on six shots in the second period, combined with having to kill 13 minutes worth of penalties, made it a less-than-memorable experience for the sophomore. After giving up the game-winning power-play goal late in the second period, Dryden McKay returned and faced just four shots the rest of the way. Northern Michigan added two late empty-net goals.
2. Streak ends: Minnesota State's impressive 10-game winning streak came to an end with the series split at Marquette. Credit Wildcats goaltender Nolan Kent for his 30-save performance, along with some shut-down defense by Northern Michigan once it got the 2-1 lead. The Mavericks finished 0 for 4 on the power play, while the Wildcats were 1 for 5. The loss was MSU's first since Nov. 1 and just its second of the season. It was also the Mavericks' first road loss of the season.
3. Idle chat: The Mavericks will be off next week and return to play at the Mariucci Classic on Dec. 28-29 at Minnesota. They'll start that tournament against St. Cloud State and will play either host Minnesota or Bemidji State in the second game. The Mavericks are 15-2-1 at the halfway point of the season and will look to get their road game back on track in a couple of weeks. Including the games at the U, six of their next eight games will be away from Mankato.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Clarkson 4, Michigan Tech 2 ... Bowling Green 2, Lake Superior State 1 ... Alabama Huntsville at Ferris State.
1. Berger Time: Jacob Berger made his college debut in goal on Saturday and got off to a good start. But two goals on six shots in the second period, combined with having to kill 13 minutes worth of penalties, made it a less-than-memorable experience for the sophomore. After giving up the game-winning power-play goal late in the second period, Dryden McKay returned and faced just four shots the rest of the way. Northern Michigan added two late empty-net goals.
2. Streak ends: Minnesota State's impressive 10-game winning streak came to an end with the series split at Marquette. Credit Wildcats goaltender Nolan Kent for his 30-save performance, along with some shut-down defense by Northern Michigan once it got the 2-1 lead. The Mavericks finished 0 for 4 on the power play, while the Wildcats were 1 for 5. The loss was MSU's first since Nov. 1 and just its second of the season. It was also the Mavericks' first road loss of the season.
3. Idle chat: The Mavericks will be off next week and return to play at the Mariucci Classic on Dec. 28-29 at Minnesota. They'll start that tournament against St. Cloud State and will play either host Minnesota or Bemidji State in the second game. The Mavericks are 15-2-1 at the halfway point of the season and will look to get their road game back on track in a couple of weeks. Including the games at the U, six of their next eight games will be away from Mankato.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Clarkson 4, Michigan Tech 2 ... Bowling Green 2, Lake Superior State 1 ... Alabama Huntsville at Ferris State.
Friday, December 13, 2019
Mavericks 5, Wildcats 2
Freddy's three thoughts (from afar):
1. 'Momentum injector': The Mavericks got an early major power play to work with and scored twice to get off to a good start on the road. "It's either a momentum injector or it can suck the energy out of you if you don't score," coach Mike Hastings said of the power play. MSU's power play finished 3 for 5 on Friday, getting two goals from Marc Michaelis and one from Reggie Lutz. The power play and has clicked at 47.2% over the Mavericks' winning streak, now up to 10 games, and 34.3% for the season.
2. Bump in the road: Northern Michigan's first goal really could have tripped up the Mavericks, considering it came on a misplay and turned a 2-0 lead into a 2-1 lead. The Wildcats got some momentum out of it and made a good push, but the Mavericks survived that and then all but delivered the dagger with a pair of late goals in the period to take a 4-1 lead into the third period. That was an impressive stretch, even for the No. 1 team in the country, preventing a pretty potent offense from taking control on its home ice.
3. Streak ends: The winning streak continued but the Mavericks' streak of allowing one or fewer goals ended late in the game when the Wildcats netted a second goal. It was the first time since Nov. 1 that a team scored more than one goal on MSU. It's happened three times this season, a tie (4-4 against North Dakota), a loss (3-2 in overtime to Bowling Green) and now a win. The Northern Michigan announcers made kind of a big deal out of it at the end, although I'm guessing the Wildcats aren't crazy about moral victories.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: No. 10 Bowling Green 2, Lake Superior State ... Alabama Huntsville 2, Ferris State 2 (OT, Chargers win 3x3 OT) ... Michigan Tech 2, No. 4 Clarkson 2 (OT)
1. 'Momentum injector': The Mavericks got an early major power play to work with and scored twice to get off to a good start on the road. "It's either a momentum injector or it can suck the energy out of you if you don't score," coach Mike Hastings said of the power play. MSU's power play finished 3 for 5 on Friday, getting two goals from Marc Michaelis and one from Reggie Lutz. The power play and has clicked at 47.2% over the Mavericks' winning streak, now up to 10 games, and 34.3% for the season.
2. Bump in the road: Northern Michigan's first goal really could have tripped up the Mavericks, considering it came on a misplay and turned a 2-0 lead into a 2-1 lead. The Wildcats got some momentum out of it and made a good push, but the Mavericks survived that and then all but delivered the dagger with a pair of late goals in the period to take a 4-1 lead into the third period. That was an impressive stretch, even for the No. 1 team in the country, preventing a pretty potent offense from taking control on its home ice.
3. Streak ends: The winning streak continued but the Mavericks' streak of allowing one or fewer goals ended late in the game when the Wildcats netted a second goal. It was the first time since Nov. 1 that a team scored more than one goal on MSU. It's happened three times this season, a tie (4-4 against North Dakota), a loss (3-2 in overtime to Bowling Green) and now a win. The Northern Michigan announcers made kind of a big deal out of it at the end, although I'm guessing the Wildcats aren't crazy about moral victories.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: No. 10 Bowling Green 2, Lake Superior State ... Alabama Huntsville 2, Ferris State 2 (OT, Chargers win 3x3 OT) ... Michigan Tech 2, No. 4 Clarkson 2 (OT)
Friday Morning Skate
The Mavericks are in Marquette to take on the Wildcats in what should be a good WCHA series (sadly Puckato will be watching from afar, not making the trip this year).
The series features two of the more-experienced defensemen in the WCHA, a league that has a lot of good, older D-men with a lot of games under their belts. I once heard another team's radio play-by-play guy say it seems like Ian Scheid's been at MSU for six years; Mike Hastings said the same thing about NMU's Philip Beaulieu and Bowling Green's Alec Rauhauser — because they've all been lineup staples since they arrived on their respective campuses.
For much more on the series, see The Free Press' College Hockey Gameday feature.
From the Wildcats' perspective, coach Grant Potulny says the No. 1 Mavericks are a team without a weakness.
Although Minnesota State won't play in Mankato again until January 3-4, the Star Tribune's Randy Johnson does a nice piece on taking in a game at the civic center as a paying (sort of) fan, not as a hockey writer.
Going around the WCHA ...
Clarkson at Michigan Tech: To the west of Marquette, in Houghton, the Huskies will host the No. 4 Golden Knights in a nonconference series. Tech has won seven of eight and hopes a good weekend can carry over for a stronger second half than it had last year. Clarkson has won eight of its last nine games and is 11-3-1.
Bowling Green at Lake Superior State: To the east of Marquette, in Sault Ste. Marie, the No. 10 Falcons will be on the road to face the Lakers. Bowling Green is unbeaten in seven of its last eight games but is still seeking some consistency. Lake Superior State, which was swept in Mankato last weekend, has just one win in its last 10 games. The two teams played just three weeks ago, splitting at Bowling Green.
Alabama Huntsville at Ferris State: The Chargers will try to get out of the WCHA cellar, while the Bulldogs will try to separate themselves from the bottom of the league this weekend in Big Rapids (yes, all of the WCHA games this weekend are in Michigan). Ferris State has gotten points each of the last three weekends. UAH has gotten points in its last two series.
The series features two of the more-experienced defensemen in the WCHA, a league that has a lot of good, older D-men with a lot of games under their belts. I once heard another team's radio play-by-play guy say it seems like Ian Scheid's been at MSU for six years; Mike Hastings said the same thing about NMU's Philip Beaulieu and Bowling Green's Alec Rauhauser — because they've all been lineup staples since they arrived on their respective campuses.
For much more on the series, see The Free Press' College Hockey Gameday feature.
From the Wildcats' perspective, coach Grant Potulny says the No. 1 Mavericks are a team without a weakness.
Although Minnesota State won't play in Mankato again until January 3-4, the Star Tribune's Randy Johnson does a nice piece on taking in a game at the civic center as a paying (sort of) fan, not as a hockey writer.
Going around the WCHA ...
Clarkson at Michigan Tech: To the west of Marquette, in Houghton, the Huskies will host the No. 4 Golden Knights in a nonconference series. Tech has won seven of eight and hopes a good weekend can carry over for a stronger second half than it had last year. Clarkson has won eight of its last nine games and is 11-3-1.
Bowling Green at Lake Superior State: To the east of Marquette, in Sault Ste. Marie, the No. 10 Falcons will be on the road to face the Lakers. Bowling Green is unbeaten in seven of its last eight games but is still seeking some consistency. Lake Superior State, which was swept in Mankato last weekend, has just one win in its last 10 games. The two teams played just three weeks ago, splitting at Bowling Green.
Alabama Huntsville at Ferris State: The Chargers will try to get out of the WCHA cellar, while the Bulldogs will try to separate themselves from the bottom of the league this weekend in Big Rapids (yes, all of the WCHA games this weekend are in Michigan). Ferris State has gotten points each of the last three weekends. UAH has gotten points in its last two series.
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Mavericks 2, Lakers 0
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Doing it all: Marc Michaelis continued to impress. One night after making two fantastic passes on on power plays, he scored a short-handed goal to help the Mavericks sweep the series. His second-period goal was the only score for most of the game. The shorty was the ninth of his career, tying Bryce Gervais for the record. Lots of season left to get the record outright. Something tells me he's going to do that.
2. Another clean sheet: Dryden McKay was praised all week long with conference weekly and monthly awards and national recognition as well. He just went about his business, stopping 21 shots for his fourth shutout of the season and eighth for his career. Giving up just one goal in the series, his save percentage is now up to .957 and his goals-against average is down to 1.06. Marek Mitens might have had the flashier saves in an outstanding performance for the Lakers, but McKay is as steady as they come.
3. J.J. is dy-no-mite: Jake Jaremko scored MSU's other goal, giving the Mavericks a little insurance with under three minutes remaining in the game. He now has five goals and eight points in seven games. Imagine if he hadn't come down with mono and missed eight games. That's quite the one-two punch MSU has as its top centers, Michaelis and Jaremko. But don't forget about Jared Spooner at the No. 3 center spot, too, who had a three-point weekend.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Michigan Tech 4, Alaska Anchorage 1 ... Alaska 5, Bemidji State 3 ... Alabama Huntsville 2, Bowling Green 2 (OT, BG wins 3x3)
1. Doing it all: Marc Michaelis continued to impress. One night after making two fantastic passes on on power plays, he scored a short-handed goal to help the Mavericks sweep the series. His second-period goal was the only score for most of the game. The shorty was the ninth of his career, tying Bryce Gervais for the record. Lots of season left to get the record outright. Something tells me he's going to do that.
2. Another clean sheet: Dryden McKay was praised all week long with conference weekly and monthly awards and national recognition as well. He just went about his business, stopping 21 shots for his fourth shutout of the season and eighth for his career. Giving up just one goal in the series, his save percentage is now up to .957 and his goals-against average is down to 1.06. Marek Mitens might have had the flashier saves in an outstanding performance for the Lakers, but McKay is as steady as they come.
3. J.J. is dy-no-mite: Jake Jaremko scored MSU's other goal, giving the Mavericks a little insurance with under three minutes remaining in the game. He now has five goals and eight points in seven games. Imagine if he hadn't come down with mono and missed eight games. That's quite the one-two punch MSU has as its top centers, Michaelis and Jaremko. But don't forget about Jared Spooner at the No. 3 center spot, too, who had a three-point weekend.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Michigan Tech 4, Alaska Anchorage 1 ... Alaska 5, Bemidji State 3 ... Alabama Huntsville 2, Bowling Green 2 (OT, BG wins 3x3)
Minnesota State vs. Lake Superior State, Game 2
Here are tonight's lines. A few changes for the Mavericks, with Duehr, Sandelin and Borchardt inserted (Sowder, Napravnik, Van Os-Shaw are out).
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
28-Borchardt
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Aamodt, Bukes, Malinowski, McMahan, Napravnik, Sowder, Van Os-Shaw
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE
26-Veillette, 24-Eriksson, 16-Calder
11-Gelsinger, 29-Boudon, 21-Humitz
27-Esposito-Selivanov, 9-Ambrosio, 14-Miura
18-Basilico, 10-McKay, 8-Manz
3-Riedell, 5-Henrikson
22-Kaelble, 15-Nordqvist
6-Semandel, 4-Anderson
7-Oliver
30-Mitens
31-Eisele
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
28-Borchardt
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Aamodt, Bukes, Malinowski, McMahan, Napravnik, Sowder, Van Os-Shaw
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE
26-Veillette, 24-Eriksson, 16-Calder
11-Gelsinger, 29-Boudon, 21-Humitz
27-Esposito-Selivanov, 9-Ambrosio, 14-Miura
18-Basilico, 10-McKay, 8-Manz
3-Riedell, 5-Henrikson
22-Kaelble, 15-Nordqvist
6-Semandel, 4-Anderson
7-Oliver
30-Mitens
31-Eisele
Friday, December 6, 2019
Mavericks 5, Lakers 1
Freddy's three thoughts of the game:
1. Power up: I wrote extensively about the red-hot power play in my game story (linked below), so be sure to take that deep dive. In the meantime, here's the play that I devoted a few too many words to in the gamer (I defy anyone who was in the building not named Marc Michaelis or Parker Tuomie to tell me they knew this was a pass, not a shot):
2. Close, for a bit: Early on tonight, Alabama Huntsville had a 3-0 lead over Bowling Green and Lake Superior State goalie Mareks Mitens was making some tough saves and keeping the game here in Mankato scoreless. Just when you thought it might be a weird night in the WCHA, things returned to normal, and BG won 9-3 and Minnesota State exploded for five goals, making the Lakers pay for their penalties. In the end, the Mavericks won their eighth game in a row, a streak in which the opposing team has yet to score more than one goal. Minnesota State has outscored its opponents 32-6 over those eight games.
3. It's like that: The Run-TMG line was accounted for five points tonight — a goal from Tuomie and two assists each from Michaelis and Charlie Gerard. Michaelis now has 19 points in 15 games. Tuomie is over a point per game with 14 in 13 games, and Geard is just under with 13 in 15. "(Michaelis is) playing some of the best hockey that he’s ever played since he’s been here, being a lot more consistent night in, night out, day in, day out as far as practices, prepareing," coach Mike Hastings said. "That’s what you need out of one of your captains and a senior."
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Bowling Green 9, Alabama Huntsville 3 ... Michigan Tech 2, Alaska Anchorage 1 ... Bemidji State 3, Alaska 1
1. Power up: I wrote extensively about the red-hot power play in my game story (linked below), so be sure to take that deep dive. In the meantime, here's the play that I devoted a few too many words to in the gamer (I defy anyone who was in the building not named Marc Michaelis or Parker Tuomie to tell me they knew this was a pass, not a shot):
🎥 Check out Parker Tuomie's goal off some pretty passing back in the second period! #HornsUp😈 pic.twitter.com/4KRAvVvQqF— Minnesota State Hockey (@MavHockey) December 7, 2019
2. Close, for a bit: Early on tonight, Alabama Huntsville had a 3-0 lead over Bowling Green and Lake Superior State goalie Mareks Mitens was making some tough saves and keeping the game here in Mankato scoreless. Just when you thought it might be a weird night in the WCHA, things returned to normal, and BG won 9-3 and Minnesota State exploded for five goals, making the Lakers pay for their penalties. In the end, the Mavericks won their eighth game in a row, a streak in which the opposing team has yet to score more than one goal. Minnesota State has outscored its opponents 32-6 over those eight games.
3. It's like that: The Run-TMG line was accounted for five points tonight — a goal from Tuomie and two assists each from Michaelis and Charlie Gerard. Michaelis now has 19 points in 15 games. Tuomie is over a point per game with 14 in 13 games, and Geard is just under with 13 in 15. "(Michaelis is) playing some of the best hockey that he’s ever played since he’s been here, being a lot more consistent night in, night out, day in, day out as far as practices, prepareing," coach Mike Hastings said. "That’s what you need out of one of your captains and a senior."
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Bowling Green 9, Alabama Huntsville 3 ... Michigan Tech 2, Alaska Anchorage 1 ... Bemidji State 3, Alaska 1
Minnesota State vs. Lake Superior State
Here are the lines for tonight's game:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 8-Smith
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 21-Sowder
23-Rivera, 26-French, 15-Napravnik
19-Van Os-Shaw
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Aamodt, Borchardt, Duehr, Malinowski, McMahan, Sandelin
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE
26-Veillette, 24-Eriksson, 16-Calder
11-Gelsinger, 29-Boudon, 21-Humitz
27-Esposito-Selivanov, 9-Ambrosio, 14-Miura
18-Basilico, 10-McKay, 8-Manz
3-Riedell, 5-Henrikson
22-Kaelble, 15-Nordqvist
6-Semandel, 4-Anderson
7-Oliver
30-Mitens
31-Eisele
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 9-Gerard
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 8-Smith
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 21-Sowder
23-Rivera, 26-French, 15-Napravnik
19-Van Os-Shaw
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Aamodt, Borchardt, Duehr, Malinowski, McMahan, Sandelin
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE
26-Veillette, 24-Eriksson, 16-Calder
11-Gelsinger, 29-Boudon, 21-Humitz
27-Esposito-Selivanov, 9-Ambrosio, 14-Miura
18-Basilico, 10-McKay, 8-Manz
3-Riedell, 5-Henrikson
22-Kaelble, 15-Nordqvist
6-Semandel, 4-Anderson
7-Oliver
30-Mitens
31-Eisele
Friday Morning Skate
The Mavericks are back home where they hope to extend their seven-game winning streak to eight or nine when they host Lake Superior State. The Lakers were the only opposing team to win in Mankato last season.
Minnesota State has been so strong defensively this season, and much has been made about the play of Dryden McKay in goal. But there are a few defensemen who go about their business quietly without flash or much offense to their game. Jack McNeely has been one of those blueliners, and he's embraced the role.
Patrick Reusse from the Star Tribune stopped by the civic center this week to check in on the Mavericks.
Lake State got a 3x3 win against Bemidji State on Saturday, but since that's technically a tie, they've won just one game in their last eight outings. However, that was a road win at Bowling Green.
Read more about the series in the College Hockey Gameday feature.
Going around the WCHA ...
Alaska at Bemidji State: First place in the WCHA is on the line when the second-place Nanooks (who are tied with Minnesota State, although MSU has four games in hand, two in hand on BSU) go on the road to play the first-place Beavers. opened the season with two losses to Denver and two wins at Michigan Tech. Since then they've split every series. Bemidji State is on a five-game unbeaten streak (albeit with a 3x3 loss on Saturday) and have just one real loss in their last eight games and two in their last 10.
Alabama Huntsville at Bowling Green: The Chargers got their first win of the season last weekend and now go on the road to take on the Falcons, who have won five of six and six of eight, including an impressive sweep of Notre Dame last weekend.
Alaska Anchorage at Michigan Tech: The Seawolves take a six-game winless streak (although they got a shootout win on Saturday) to Houghton. The Huskies also are coming from Alaska where they split last weekend at Fairbanks. Winners of five of their last six games, they'll be at home for the next four games.
P.S. I appeared on a couple of podcasts this week. Take a listen: College Hockey News' CHN'siders and Maverick Hockey Live.
Minnesota State has been so strong defensively this season, and much has been made about the play of Dryden McKay in goal. But there are a few defensemen who go about their business quietly without flash or much offense to their game. Jack McNeely has been one of those blueliners, and he's embraced the role.
Patrick Reusse from the Star Tribune stopped by the civic center this week to check in on the Mavericks.
Lake State got a 3x3 win against Bemidji State on Saturday, but since that's technically a tie, they've won just one game in their last eight outings. However, that was a road win at Bowling Green.
Read more about the series in the College Hockey Gameday feature.
Going around the WCHA ...
Alaska at Bemidji State: First place in the WCHA is on the line when the second-place Nanooks (who are tied with Minnesota State, although MSU has four games in hand, two in hand on BSU) go on the road to play the first-place Beavers. opened the season with two losses to Denver and two wins at Michigan Tech. Since then they've split every series. Bemidji State is on a five-game unbeaten streak (albeit with a 3x3 loss on Saturday) and have just one real loss in their last eight games and two in their last 10.
Alabama Huntsville at Bowling Green: The Chargers got their first win of the season last weekend and now go on the road to take on the Falcons, who have won five of six and six of eight, including an impressive sweep of Notre Dame last weekend.
Alaska Anchorage at Michigan Tech: The Seawolves take a six-game winless streak (although they got a shootout win on Saturday) to Houghton. The Huskies also are coming from Alaska where they split last weekend at Fairbanks. Winners of five of their last six games, they'll be at home for the next four games.
P.S. I appeared on a couple of podcasts this week. Take a listen: College Hockey News' CHN'siders and Maverick Hockey Live.
Monday, December 2, 2019
Mavericks still No. 1; three get WCHA honors
Three Minnesota State men's hockey players earned WCHA awards this week for their play in this weekend's sweep at Minnesota Duluth.
Jake Jaremko was named the league's forward of the week after a three-point weekend. He had an assist in Friday's 4-1 victory and two power-play goals in Saturday's 3-1 win.
Dryden McKay was named goaltender of the week after stopping 64 of 66 shots in the series. That included a career-high 37 saves on Saturday.
Nathan Smith was named rookie of the week after a three-point weekend. He scored a power-play goal on Friday and assisted on two goals Saturday.
The Mavericks (12-1-1), who are ranked No. 1 in the U.S. College Hockey Online poll for the fourth week in a row, will host Lake Superior State on Friday and Saturday.
Jake Jaremko was named the league's forward of the week after a three-point weekend. He had an assist in Friday's 4-1 victory and two power-play goals in Saturday's 3-1 win.
Dryden McKay was named goaltender of the week after stopping 64 of 66 shots in the series. That included a career-high 37 saves on Saturday.
Nathan Smith was named rookie of the week after a three-point weekend. He scored a power-play goal on Friday and assisted on two goals Saturday.
The Mavericks (12-1-1), who are ranked No. 1 in the U.S. College Hockey Online poll for the fourth week in a row, will host Lake Superior State on Friday and Saturday.
Here is the latest USCHO poll:
USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll Minneapolis, Minn./December 02, 2019 Team (First Place) Record Pts Last Week 1 Minnesota State (44) 12- 1-1 994 1 2 Cornell ( 6) 9- 0-0 947 2 3 North Dakota 12- 1-2 889 3 4 Denver 9- 3-2 826 4 5 Clarkson 10- 3-1 758 6 6 Penn State 11- 4-0 656 7 7 Ohio State 9- 4-1 620 11 8 Northeastern 10- 4-2 528 12 9 Notre Dame 8- 4-2 527 5 10 Boston College 9- 4-0 522 14 11 Massachusetts 9- 4-1 491 10 12 Harvard 6- 1-0 488 9 13 Bowling Green 10- 5-0 478 16 14 Minnesota Duluth 7- 6-1 429 8 15 Providence 8- 4-3 388 13 16 UMass Lowell 9- 3-4 375 15 17 Western Michigan 7- 5-2 200 17 18 Omaha 6- 4-2 128 18 19 Wisconsin 7- 8-1 41 19 20 Arizona State 7- 4-1 39 NR Others receiving votes: Maine 27, Quinnipiac 21, Northern Michigan 20, Michigan State 19, Army 17, Sacred Heart 14, Alaska 12, Bemidji State 12, Michigan Tech 10, Dartmouth 7, RIT 7, New Hampshire 6, Robert Morris 3, Minnesota 1.
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