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.