Freddy's three thoughts (from afar) ...
1. Confidence booster: Chris Van Os Shaw entered the game with just one goal, playing in 11 of MSU's 28 games. The one-time UAA commit joined Minnesota State as a touted goal scorer. The hope is that's still in his future. For now, though, it seems he's still trying to find his game. A multi-point game should give him some good feelings. Perhaps he'll be more of a contributor down the stretch.
2. Bouncing back: No real surprise Mavericks played well coming off their fourth loss of the season last Saturday at home against Bemidji State. It was a nice rebound for goalie Dryden McKay, too. After a couple of uncharacteristic misses against the Beavers, he was sharp when he had to be against the Seawolves. He made a point-blank save early in a scoreless game, and the Mavericks went the other way and got the game's first goal.
3. Look familiar? The win was the 10th in a row for MSU against Anchorage. The Mavericks also defeated the Seawolves 7-1 during the series opener of their set in Mankato back in November. The next night was a little tighter before Minnesota State got some late goals and won 3-0. I'd expect tomorrow to be a bit closer, too, especially as Anchorage tries its best to maintain a playoff spot in the WCHA standings.
Around the WCHA: Bemidji State 4, Bowling Green 1 ... Northern Michigan 5, Ferris State 2 ... Michigan Tech 4, Alabama Huntsville 1
Friday, January 31, 2020
Friday Morning Skate
Minnesota State is in Anchorage today to begin a series against Alaska Anchorage. The Mavericks are still without Marc Michaelis and Jake Jaremko, who are out with injuries. It's a "next man up" mentality for a deep team, coach Mike Hastings said in this week's College Hockey Gameday.
Among the players back in Mankato with the injured centers is Evan Foss, the Mavericks' new third-string goaltender. When the school year began, Foss was out of hockey. But he's now having a blast with the opportunity to practice with the country's third-ranked team.
Foss' filled a roster spot left when freshman Jaxson Stauber returned to junior hockey in November. Stauber is now committed to play at Providence.
Meanwhile, the Seawolves, who are in eighth place in the WCHA standings with a two-point lead, are still trying to maintain playoff position. They have missed out the last five years.
Going around the WCHA ...
Bowling Green at Bemidji State: The Beavers are back at home after their split in Mankato and take on the Falcons, who are trying to forge ahead after a week off following their two losses at home to MSU. The Bemidji Pioneer takes a look at BSU's two Swedish players, a senior and a freshman.
Ferris State at Northern Michigan: The Bulldogs broke a nine-game losing streak with a win at Michigan Tech last week and will try get another one or two in the UP this weekend against the Wildcats, who have lost just once in their last nine games and are now in third place in the WCHA.
Michigan Tech at Alabama Huntsville: The Huskies have won once in their last six games but have a chance to move up to fourth place in the standings with a pair of road wins this weekend. The Chargers still have just one victory this season.
Among the players back in Mankato with the injured centers is Evan Foss, the Mavericks' new third-string goaltender. When the school year began, Foss was out of hockey. But he's now having a blast with the opportunity to practice with the country's third-ranked team.
Foss' filled a roster spot left when freshman Jaxson Stauber returned to junior hockey in November. Stauber is now committed to play at Providence.
Meanwhile, the Seawolves, who are in eighth place in the WCHA standings with a two-point lead, are still trying to maintain playoff position. They have missed out the last five years.
Going around the WCHA ...
Bowling Green at Bemidji State: The Beavers are back at home after their split in Mankato and take on the Falcons, who are trying to forge ahead after a week off following their two losses at home to MSU. The Bemidji Pioneer takes a look at BSU's two Swedish players, a senior and a freshman.
Ferris State at Northern Michigan: The Bulldogs broke a nine-game losing streak with a win at Michigan Tech last week and will try get another one or two in the UP this weekend against the Wildcats, who have lost just once in their last nine games and are now in third place in the WCHA.
Michigan Tech at Alabama Huntsville: The Huskies have won once in their last six games but have a chance to move up to fourth place in the standings with a pair of road wins this weekend. The Chargers still have just one victory this season.
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Beavers 4, Mavericks 2
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Tender, mercy: Bemidji State goaltender Zach Driscoll was outstanding on Saturday night, stopping 48 of 50 shots to upset the Mavericks. The only shots to get by him were a couple of extra-attacker goals after MSU pulled Dryden McKay with 6 1/2 minutes left in the game (read more about the move that nearly worked out in the link below). Driscoll stopped 20 shots in the second period alone to maintain a 2-0 lead. The Beavers extended it to 3-0 before Minnesota State's late charge.
2. Streaks end: Minnesota State came into the game with eight straight wins overall and eight straight wins at home, only to have those snapped. On Friday, the Mavericks ended Bemidji State's six-game unbeaten streak. One streak that continued was the one in which MSU has allowed its opponent to score first, now at three games and all without Marc Michaelis and Jake Jaremko. They came from behind in two of those but couldn't pull off a rally on Saturday.
3. Happy homecoming: Classy move by Beavers coach Tom Serratore to start freshman defenseman Kyle Looft on Saturday. Looft, is the former Mankato West standout, who has played in 22 games this season. There seemed to be quite a few people around the arena from Mankato wearing Bemidji green over the weekend. Looft was minus-1 with a blocked shot on Saturday. I'll have more on Looft, including quotes from him and Serratore in my Monday review/notebook feature.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Ferris State 2, Michigan Tech 1 ... Alaska Anchorage 3, Lake Superior State 3 (OT, Lakers score 3x3) ... Northern Michigan 4, Alaska 2
1. Tender, mercy: Bemidji State goaltender Zach Driscoll was outstanding on Saturday night, stopping 48 of 50 shots to upset the Mavericks. The only shots to get by him were a couple of extra-attacker goals after MSU pulled Dryden McKay with 6 1/2 minutes left in the game (read more about the move that nearly worked out in the link below). Driscoll stopped 20 shots in the second period alone to maintain a 2-0 lead. The Beavers extended it to 3-0 before Minnesota State's late charge.
2. Streaks end: Minnesota State came into the game with eight straight wins overall and eight straight wins at home, only to have those snapped. On Friday, the Mavericks ended Bemidji State's six-game unbeaten streak. One streak that continued was the one in which MSU has allowed its opponent to score first, now at three games and all without Marc Michaelis and Jake Jaremko. They came from behind in two of those but couldn't pull off a rally on Saturday.
3. Happy homecoming: Classy move by Beavers coach Tom Serratore to start freshman defenseman Kyle Looft on Saturday. Looft, is the former Mankato West standout, who has played in 22 games this season. There seemed to be quite a few people around the arena from Mankato wearing Bemidji green over the weekend. Looft was minus-1 with a blocked shot on Saturday. I'll have more on Looft, including quotes from him and Serratore in my Monday review/notebook feature.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Ferris State 2, Michigan Tech 1 ... Alaska Anchorage 3, Lake Superior State 3 (OT, Lakers score 3x3) ... Northern Michigan 4, Alaska 2
Minnesota State vs. Bemidji State, Game 2
The Mavericks will go for their ninth win in a row and a series sweep over the Beavers tonight. Here are tonight's lines (no changes for either team from Friday night):
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 8-Smith, 21-Sowder
23-Rivera, 26-French, 9-Gerard
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 17-Duehr
16-Lutz, 28-Borchardt, 15-Napravnik
14-Sandelin
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
1-Foss
Scratches: Aamodt, Bukes, Jaremko, Malinowski, McMahan, Michaelis, Van Os-Shaw
BEMIDJI STATE
19-Brady, 17-Armour, 26-Cardelli
9-Somoza, 27-Kirkup, 16-Miller
14-Ierullo, 12-Sillinger, 11-Combs
23-Sjodahl, 13-Jones, 6-Solensky
15-Jubenvill
3-Muck, 22-Vold
2-Zmolek, 28-Rosen
7-Looft, 18-Johnson
23-Driscoll
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 8-Smith, 21-Sowder
23-Rivera, 26-French, 9-Gerard
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 17-Duehr
16-Lutz, 28-Borchardt, 15-Napravnik
14-Sandelin
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
1-Foss
Scratches: Aamodt, Bukes, Jaremko, Malinowski, McMahan, Michaelis, Van Os-Shaw
BEMIDJI STATE
19-Brady, 17-Armour, 26-Cardelli
9-Somoza, 27-Kirkup, 16-Miller
14-Ierullo, 12-Sillinger, 11-Combs
23-Sjodahl, 13-Jones, 6-Solensky
15-Jubenvill
3-Muck, 22-Vold
2-Zmolek, 28-Rosen
7-Looft, 18-Johnson
23-Driscoll
29-Johnson
Friday, January 24, 2020
Mavericks 3, Beavers 2
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Still streaking: Playing for the second game in a row without Marc Michaelis and Jake Jaremko, the Mavericks found a way to grind out a win and keep their winning streak going. They're up to eight games in a row now. They also ended Bemidji State's unbeaten streak, which began after it lost to MSU at the Mariucci Classic at the end of December. Andy Carroll scored a beautiful diving, tip-in goal off a pass from Ryan Sandelin to tie the game at 1-1 (read more about that in the link below), and Nathan Smith and Dallas Gerads added goals.
2. League leader: The Mavericks increased their lead over the Beavers atop the WCHA standings to nine points, so they can really take command of the MacNaughton Cup race with a win on Saturday. Bemidji State certainly will try to do what they did on Friday: score early, defend and take the crowd out of the game for as long as possible. They do that well. especially with a good goalie like Zach Driscoll, who made some sweet saves. If not for Carroll's highlight goal, the Beavers might have found a way to tighten up the standings in Game 1 of the series.
3. Coffee's for closers: With just under 3 minutes remaining in the game, the Beavers pulled Driscoll for an extra attacker. They made a good push over that time, but the Mavericks defended well and held on, despite a couple near misses at the empty net. "Anytime a team decides to pull the goalie with that much time left, it's not the proverbial 30 seconds, get it out once and the game's over. We had to earn that one," coach Mike Hastings said. "I just liked the way the guys stuck with it."
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Lake Superior State 3, Alaska Anchorage 2 ... Michigan Tech 2, Ferris State 1 ... Northern Michigan at Alaska (late)
1. Still streaking: Playing for the second game in a row without Marc Michaelis and Jake Jaremko, the Mavericks found a way to grind out a win and keep their winning streak going. They're up to eight games in a row now. They also ended Bemidji State's unbeaten streak, which began after it lost to MSU at the Mariucci Classic at the end of December. Andy Carroll scored a beautiful diving, tip-in goal off a pass from Ryan Sandelin to tie the game at 1-1 (read more about that in the link below), and Nathan Smith and Dallas Gerads added goals.
2. League leader: The Mavericks increased their lead over the Beavers atop the WCHA standings to nine points, so they can really take command of the MacNaughton Cup race with a win on Saturday. Bemidji State certainly will try to do what they did on Friday: score early, defend and take the crowd out of the game for as long as possible. They do that well. especially with a good goalie like Zach Driscoll, who made some sweet saves. If not for Carroll's highlight goal, the Beavers might have found a way to tighten up the standings in Game 1 of the series.
3. Coffee's for closers: With just under 3 minutes remaining in the game, the Beavers pulled Driscoll for an extra attacker. They made a good push over that time, but the Mavericks defended well and held on, despite a couple near misses at the empty net. "Anytime a team decides to pull the goalie with that much time left, it's not the proverbial 30 seconds, get it out once and the game's over. We had to earn that one," coach Mike Hastings said. "I just liked the way the guys stuck with it."
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Lake Superior State 3, Alaska Anchorage 2 ... Michigan Tech 2, Ferris State 1 ... Northern Michigan at Alaska (late)
Minnesota State vs. Bemidji State
The Mavericks and Beavers are set to square off in downtown Mankato. It's a battle of the top two teams the WCHA, but the No. 3 Mavericks are without their top two centers. Should be an interesting series.
Here are the lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 8-Smith, 21-Sowder
23-Rivera, 26-French, 9-Gerard
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 17-Duehr
16-Lutz, 28-Borchardt, 15-Napravnik
14-Sandelin
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
1-Foss
Scratches: Aamodt, Bukes, Jaremko, Malinowski, McMahan, Michaelis, Van Os-Shaw
BEMIDJI STATE
19-Brady, 17-Armour, 26-Cardelli
9-Somoza, 27-Kirkup, 16-Milelr
14-Ierullo, 12-Sillinger, 11-Combs
23-Sjodahl, 13-Jones, 6-Solensky
15-Jubenvill
3-Muck, 22-Vold
2-Zmolek, 28-Rosen
7-Looft, 18-Johnson
23-Driscoll
29-Johnson
Here are the lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 8-Smith, 21-Sowder
23-Rivera, 26-French, 9-Gerard
22-Gerads, 11-Spooner, 17-Duehr
16-Lutz, 28-Borchardt, 15-Napravnik
14-Sandelin
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
4-Carroll, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
1-Foss
Scratches: Aamodt, Bukes, Jaremko, Malinowski, McMahan, Michaelis, Van Os-Shaw
BEMIDJI STATE
19-Brady, 17-Armour, 26-Cardelli
9-Somoza, 27-Kirkup, 16-Milelr
14-Ierullo, 12-Sillinger, 11-Combs
23-Sjodahl, 13-Jones, 6-Solensky
15-Jubenvill
3-Muck, 22-Vold
2-Zmolek, 28-Rosen
7-Looft, 18-Johnson
23-Driscoll
29-Johnson
Friday Morning Skate
Minnesota State is back home after two weeks away and will take on Bemidji State in a series between the top two teams in the WCHA.
The Mavericks will again be without Marc Michaelis, who is dealing with a lower-body injury, and possibly Jake Jaremko, who is doubtful with an upper-body injury.
Without the top centers around, coach Mike Hastings has been impressed with the play and leadership shown by co-captain Nick Rivera and fellow senior Josh French. The two have been playing together for six seasons now, going back to their junior hockey days.
There are several story lines to this series, besides the injuries and the play of Rivera and French. Bemidji State's Kyle Looft, a Mankato West grad, will be returning to his hometown to play for the first time. And another BSU freshman defenseman, Will Zmolek, will be facing his big brother, MSU junior Riese Zmolek, again.
Read more about the series from the Bemidji Pioneer here.
Going around the WCHA ...
Alaska Anchorage at Lake Superior State: The Seawolves moved into playoff position last week and now sit one point behind the seventh-place Lakers. A sweep by either team this weekend could keep it off the playoff bubble.
Ferris State at Michigan Tech: The Bulldogs, losers of eight straight, are on the outside looking in, four points behind UAA and face a sixth-place Huskies team that's hoping to get back into contention for a top-four finish. Tech has scored just one point in each of its last two league series.
Northern Michigan at Alaska: Minnesota State and Bemidji State are 1-2 in the conference, and here's a matchup of 3-4. The host Nanooks have a one-point lead over the Wildcats, although Northern has two games in hand. The Wildcats were in up-state New York last to play No. 1 Cornell and now will be in Fairbanks, Alaska. Quite the week of travel!
The Mavericks will again be without Marc Michaelis, who is dealing with a lower-body injury, and possibly Jake Jaremko, who is doubtful with an upper-body injury.
Without the top centers around, coach Mike Hastings has been impressed with the play and leadership shown by co-captain Nick Rivera and fellow senior Josh French. The two have been playing together for six seasons now, going back to their junior hockey days.
There are several story lines to this series, besides the injuries and the play of Rivera and French. Bemidji State's Kyle Looft, a Mankato West grad, will be returning to his hometown to play for the first time. And another BSU freshman defenseman, Will Zmolek, will be facing his big brother, MSU junior Riese Zmolek, again.
Read more about the series from the Bemidji Pioneer here.
Going around the WCHA ...
Alaska Anchorage at Lake Superior State: The Seawolves moved into playoff position last week and now sit one point behind the seventh-place Lakers. A sweep by either team this weekend could keep it off the playoff bubble.
Ferris State at Michigan Tech: The Bulldogs, losers of eight straight, are on the outside looking in, four points behind UAA and face a sixth-place Huskies team that's hoping to get back into contention for a top-four finish. Tech has scored just one point in each of its last two league series.
Northern Michigan at Alaska: Minnesota State and Bemidji State are 1-2 in the conference, and here's a matchup of 3-4. The host Nanooks have a one-point lead over the Wildcats, although Northern has two games in hand. The Wildcats were in up-state New York last to play No. 1 Cornell and now will be in Fairbanks, Alaska. Quite the week of travel!
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Mavericks add third goalie
Minnesota State officially added a third goaltender to its roster this week, as Evan Foss, a freshman from White Bear Lake, is now on the team.
Foss and a couple of others practiced with the Mavericks through a limited tryout process since Jaxson Stauber opted to leave the team to return to junior hockey in November.
Foss ended up getting the job. He graduated from White Bear Lake last year and did not play junior hockey per his Elite Prospects page. According to that, he played 14 games last season with a .904 save percentage and a 2.01 goals-against average in the regular season. In three playoff games, his numbers were at .935 and 1.33.
Hoping to learn more about him in the coming days, but he gives MSU some stability there behind Dryden McKay and backup Jacob Berger.
Foss and a couple of others practiced with the Mavericks through a limited tryout process since Jaxson Stauber opted to leave the team to return to junior hockey in November.
Foss ended up getting the job. He graduated from White Bear Lake last year and did not play junior hockey per his Elite Prospects page. According to that, he played 14 games last season with a .904 save percentage and a 2.01 goals-against average in the regular season. In three playoff games, his numbers were at .935 and 1.33.
Hoping to learn more about him in the coming days, but he gives MSU some stability there behind Dryden McKay and backup Jacob Berger.
I am proud and honored to have the opportunity to join the Minnesota State Mankato Division 1 hockey team! Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout the years. #HornsUp pic.twitter.com/iKDD5PYiwx— Evan Foss (@evanpfoss) January 23, 2020
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Mavericks 3, Falcons 2 (OT)
Freddy's three thoughts (from afar) ...
1. Big-time win: Down 2-0 after two periods with no Marc Michaelis and no Jake Jaremko, it might have been easy for the Mavericks to take their series split and hope on the bus back to Mankato. Instead, they rallied, scoring twice in the final frame and then again in overtime to get the win and sweep. Seniors Parker Tuomie and Josh French scored the goals in regulation, and freshman Nathan Smith potted the game-winner.
2. More adversity: Besides being out their top two centers the Mavericks had to kill off a late third-period penalty before scoring the game-tying goal and another penalty in overtime before Smith scored. Not easy to do on the road. Bowling Green's two goals were both power-play goals, so the Falcons were clicking with the man advantage (although their second goal was awarded upon video review after being waved off on the ice for what appeared to be goaltender interference).
3. Hockey Day coming: The Mavericks got the important win about an hour after it was announced that Mankato was awarded Hockey Day Minnesota 2021, which is pretty exciting stuff. You can read more about Hockey Day Minnesota here. I asked Hastings about it and he said, "It's incredible. 1) I appreciate the people in power who said we're worthy of that because I believe we are. And 2), I'm so excited for the people involved and so excited for the potential of what it can be."
Read more here.
Around the WCHA: Alaska 6, Ferris State 3 ... Cornell 3, Northern Michigan 1 ... Michigan Tech 1, Bemidji State 1, OT (BSU wins 3x3) ... Alabama Huntsville at Alaska Anchorage
1. Big-time win: Down 2-0 after two periods with no Marc Michaelis and no Jake Jaremko, it might have been easy for the Mavericks to take their series split and hope on the bus back to Mankato. Instead, they rallied, scoring twice in the final frame and then again in overtime to get the win and sweep. Seniors Parker Tuomie and Josh French scored the goals in regulation, and freshman Nathan Smith potted the game-winner.
2. More adversity: Besides being out their top two centers the Mavericks had to kill off a late third-period penalty before scoring the game-tying goal and another penalty in overtime before Smith scored. Not easy to do on the road. Bowling Green's two goals were both power-play goals, so the Falcons were clicking with the man advantage (although their second goal was awarded upon video review after being waved off on the ice for what appeared to be goaltender interference).
3. Hockey Day coming: The Mavericks got the important win about an hour after it was announced that Mankato was awarded Hockey Day Minnesota 2021, which is pretty exciting stuff. You can read more about Hockey Day Minnesota here. I asked Hastings about it and he said, "It's incredible. 1) I appreciate the people in power who said we're worthy of that because I believe we are. And 2), I'm so excited for the people involved and so excited for the potential of what it can be."
Around the WCHA: Alaska 6, Ferris State 3 ... Cornell 3, Northern Michigan 1 ... Michigan Tech 1, Bemidji State 1, OT (BSU wins 3x3) ... Alabama Huntsville at Alaska Anchorage
Video of Michaelis' injury
The gang at BGSUhockey.com made a clip of Marc Michaelis' injury from Saturday night. Hard to tell from this how serious it might be, but Michaelis was definitely in a lot of pain. Strange injury off a chain reaction after a hit on Lucas Sowder (Should that have been a penalty?). Sowder goes down, crashes into another BG player who takes out Michaelis' legs, maybe even rolls up on him like something you might see in the trenches of a football game.
Friday, January 17, 2020
Mavericks 6, Falcons 3
Freddy's three thoughts (from afar) ...
1. With or without you: Marc Michaelis was the best player on the ice, it seemed, for two periods, getting a goal and two assists as the Mavericks built a 5-2 lead. But a lower-body injury (somewhere in the left leg, it appeared) late in the second period ended his night and left his availability for Saturday's rematch in doubt. "Not sure yet the extent," coach Mike Hastings said. "I don't believe he'll be available for tomorrow." The Mavericks have to hope it's not too serious. Michaelis, who is one of the team's two Hobey Baker nominees, leads the WCHA in scoring with 33 points (16 goals, 17 assists).
2. Deep Purple: The Mavericks filled up the scorecard on Friday, getting goals from Michaelis, Nick Rivera, Charlie Gerard, Josh French, Julian Napravnik and Riese Zmolek. Rivera also had an assist. Freshman forward Lucas Sowder stayed hot with three assists for his second three-point game in a row. And Walker Duehr had two assists. The Mavericks have the depth to overcome a few missed games by Michaelis, should it come to that, but they'll still need their best player long-term. MSU is also without Jake Jaremko this weekend. He is nursing an upper-body injury.
3. Still streaking: Minnesota State, which won 10 games in a row earlier this season, is now on a six-game winning streak. Although they won by three goals, the Mavericks were in a close game for awhile. The game was tied 1-1 after one period, and Bowling Green tied it at 2-2 just 8 seconds after Michaelis gave MSU a 2-1 lead. Freshman Adam Conquest scored BG's first two goals. They were his first career goals. What is it with rookies having that first success against Minnesota State? Remember the St. Cloud State game?
Read more here.
Around the WCHA: Northern Michigan 2, Cornell 2 (OT) ... Alaska 2, Ferris State 0 ... Bemidji State 4, Michigan Tech 1 ... Alabama Huntsville at Alaska Anchorage (late)
1. With or without you: Marc Michaelis was the best player on the ice, it seemed, for two periods, getting a goal and two assists as the Mavericks built a 5-2 lead. But a lower-body injury (somewhere in the left leg, it appeared) late in the second period ended his night and left his availability for Saturday's rematch in doubt. "Not sure yet the extent," coach Mike Hastings said. "I don't believe he'll be available for tomorrow." The Mavericks have to hope it's not too serious. Michaelis, who is one of the team's two Hobey Baker nominees, leads the WCHA in scoring with 33 points (16 goals, 17 assists).
2. Deep Purple: The Mavericks filled up the scorecard on Friday, getting goals from Michaelis, Nick Rivera, Charlie Gerard, Josh French, Julian Napravnik and Riese Zmolek. Rivera also had an assist. Freshman forward Lucas Sowder stayed hot with three assists for his second three-point game in a row. And Walker Duehr had two assists. The Mavericks have the depth to overcome a few missed games by Michaelis, should it come to that, but they'll still need their best player long-term. MSU is also without Jake Jaremko this weekend. He is nursing an upper-body injury.
3. Still streaking: Minnesota State, which won 10 games in a row earlier this season, is now on a six-game winning streak. Although they won by three goals, the Mavericks were in a close game for awhile. The game was tied 1-1 after one period, and Bowling Green tied it at 2-2 just 8 seconds after Michaelis gave MSU a 2-1 lead. Freshman Adam Conquest scored BG's first two goals. They were his first career goals. What is it with rookies having that first success against Minnesota State? Remember the St. Cloud State game?
Read more here.
Around the WCHA: Northern Michigan 2, Cornell 2 (OT) ... Alaska 2, Ferris State 0 ... Bemidji State 4, Michigan Tech 1 ... Alabama Huntsville at Alaska Anchorage (late)
Friday Morning Skate
The Mavericks are on the road again, this time going to Bowling Green to face the rival Falcons. This will be their first repeat opponent of the season. The teams split a series in early November in Mankato, and the all-time matchup has been really close since Bowling Green joined the WCHA.
Minnesota State had the WCHA's rookie of the week last week in Lucas Sowder. One of two Florida natives on the roster, he talked this week about the transition from the Sunshine State to one where a winter storm is expected this weekend. He also talked about a season in which he ranks third among the nation's freshmen in scoring. Playing with Hobey Baker candidate Marc Michaelis (goalie Dryden McKay is the other initial Hobey nominee) and Parker Tuomie, doesn't hurt.
Earlier this week, I wrote a column on appreciating another 20-win season for the Mavericks.
The Falcons are excited to host MSU this weekend, calling the Mavericks "the team that's been the gold standard in the league."
Going around the WCHA ...
Northern Michigan at Cornell: The Wildcats, winners of five games in a row, already knocked one No. 1 team from the top spot when they defeated Minnesota State right before Christmas break. Now they're taking on another one in a nonconference series. Cornell started the season 10-0-0 and is 2-1-2 since.
Michigan Tech at Bemidji State: The host Beavers are in second place in the WCHA and are getting into the meat of their schedule now, starting with having the Huskies in town. Tech is in sixth place and seeking to move up into the top four before the season's done.
Alaska at Ferris State: Tied with Bowling Green for fourth place, the Nanooks will try to keep pace or even move up when they travel to Big Rapids to take on the Bulldogs, who are looking to snap a six-game losing streak.
Alabama Huntsville at Alaska Anchorage: The bottom two teams in the WCHA play this weekend in Anchorage. The visiting Chargers are desperately seeking its second win of the year, while the Seawolves are hoping to move up into a league playoff position.
Minnesota State had the WCHA's rookie of the week last week in Lucas Sowder. One of two Florida natives on the roster, he talked this week about the transition from the Sunshine State to one where a winter storm is expected this weekend. He also talked about a season in which he ranks third among the nation's freshmen in scoring. Playing with Hobey Baker candidate Marc Michaelis (goalie Dryden McKay is the other initial Hobey nominee) and Parker Tuomie, doesn't hurt.
Earlier this week, I wrote a column on appreciating another 20-win season for the Mavericks.
The Falcons are excited to host MSU this weekend, calling the Mavericks "the team that's been the gold standard in the league."
Going around the WCHA ...
Northern Michigan at Cornell: The Wildcats, winners of five games in a row, already knocked one No. 1 team from the top spot when they defeated Minnesota State right before Christmas break. Now they're taking on another one in a nonconference series. Cornell started the season 10-0-0 and is 2-1-2 since.
Michigan Tech at Bemidji State: The host Beavers are in second place in the WCHA and are getting into the meat of their schedule now, starting with having the Huskies in town. Tech is in sixth place and seeking to move up into the top four before the season's done.
Alaska at Ferris State: Tied with Bowling Green for fourth place, the Nanooks will try to keep pace or even move up when they travel to Big Rapids to take on the Bulldogs, who are looking to snap a six-game losing streak.
Alabama Huntsville at Alaska Anchorage: The bottom two teams in the WCHA play this weekend in Anchorage. The visiting Chargers are desperately seeking its second win of the year, while the Seawolves are hoping to move up into a league playoff position.
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Mavericks 5, Bulldogs 1
Freddy's three thoughts (from afar) ...
Charlie Gerard scored two goals, and Lucas Sowder and Parker Tuomie had three points each as the Minnesota State men’s hockey team defeated Ferris State 5-1 on Saturday for a WCHA series sweep.
The third-ranked Mavericks won their 20th game of the season for the eighth year in a row since Mike Hastings became coach. It was the earliest Minnesota State has reached the 20-win plateau.
Sowder had a goal and two assists, and Tuomie had three assists. Jack McNeely and Reggie Lutz also scored goals, and Marc Michaelis and had two assists.
Michaelis, who had two goals in that game and finished the weekend with four points.
The Mavericks finished 3 for 7 on the power play, and Dryden McKay made 25 saves.
Minnesota State has won five games in a row and 15 of its last 17 games.
The Mavericks (20-3-1, 14-2-0 in WCHA) will play again next Friday and Saturday at Bowling Green.
Read more here.
Around the WCHA: Bowling Green 2, Michigan Tech 2 (OT, BG scores in 3x3 OT) ... Northern Michigan 6, Alaska Anchorage 3 ... Lake Superior State at Alaska (late)
Charlie Gerard scored two goals, and Lucas Sowder and Parker Tuomie had three points each as the Minnesota State men’s hockey team defeated Ferris State 5-1 on Saturday for a WCHA series sweep.
The third-ranked Mavericks won their 20th game of the season for the eighth year in a row since Mike Hastings became coach. It was the earliest Minnesota State has reached the 20-win plateau.
Sowder had a goal and two assists, and Tuomie had three assists. Jack McNeely and Reggie Lutz also scored goals, and Marc Michaelis and had two assists.
Michaelis, who had two goals in that game and finished the weekend with four points.
The Mavericks finished 3 for 7 on the power play, and Dryden McKay made 25 saves.
Minnesota State has won five games in a row and 15 of its last 17 games.
The Mavericks (20-3-1, 14-2-0 in WCHA) will play again next Friday and Saturday at Bowling Green.
Read more here.
Around the WCHA: Bowling Green 2, Michigan Tech 2 (OT, BG scores in 3x3 OT) ... Northern Michigan 6, Alaska Anchorage 3 ... Lake Superior State at Alaska (late)
Friday, January 10, 2020
Mavericks 5, Bulldogs 0
Freddy's three thoughts (from afar) ...
Technically on vacation this weekend, but can't not monitor what the third-ranked Mavericks are doing. Pretty good night overall for them, especially Marc Michaelis and Dryden McKay:
It was a record-setting night for the Minnesota State men’s hockey team.
In a 5-0 WCHA victory over Ferris State on Friday, the third-ranked Mavericks saw senior Marc Michaelis break the school record for career short-handed goals and sophomore goaltender Dryden McKay break the program’s single-season record and tie the career mark for shutouts.
Michaelis finished with two goals, including his 10th career shorty. McKay stopped 19 shots for the 11th clean sheet of his career and seventh this season.
Julian Napravnik also scored two goals, and defenseman Wyatt Aamodt had the other goal. Jared Spooner assisted on three goals.
Around the WCHA: Bowling Green 3, Michigan Tech 2 ... Northern Michigan 4, Alaska Anchorage 1 ... Bemidji State at Alabama Huntsville ... Lake Superior State at Alaska (late)
Technically on vacation this weekend, but can't not monitor what the third-ranked Mavericks are doing. Pretty good night overall for them, especially Marc Michaelis and Dryden McKay:
It was a record-setting night for the Minnesota State men’s hockey team.
In a 5-0 WCHA victory over Ferris State on Friday, the third-ranked Mavericks saw senior Marc Michaelis break the school record for career short-handed goals and sophomore goaltender Dryden McKay break the program’s single-season record and tie the career mark for shutouts.
Michaelis finished with two goals, including his 10th career shorty. McKay stopped 19 shots for the 11th clean sheet of his career and seventh this season.
Julian Napravnik also scored two goals, and defenseman Wyatt Aamodt had the other goal. Jared Spooner assisted on three goals.
Around the WCHA: Bowling Green 3, Michigan Tech 2 ... Northern Michigan 4, Alaska Anchorage 1 ... Bemidji State at Alabama Huntsville ... Lake Superior State at Alaska (late)
Friday Morning Skate
The No. 3 Mavericks are in Big Rapids, Mich., to take on Ferris State and start a four-game road swing. This is part of a stretch of 10 games in which eight games are away from Mankato. Minnesota State has played well on the road, going 8-2-0, and is hoping to keep that up in the Bulldogs' "unique" arena.
Read more about the matchup in the College Hockey Gameday feature.
In other WCHA action ...
Bemidji State at Alabama Huntsville: This series began on Thursday night with the Beavers winning 3-1 for their third straight victory. The Chargers are still stuck at one victory for the season.
Bowling Green at Michigan Tech: The Falcons will try to stop a four-game losing skid but are in Houghton to take on the 17th-ranked Huskies, who are 6-2-1 since the start of December.
Alaska Anchorage at Northern Michigan: The Wildcats are back home after a sweep of Bowling Green. They have won three in a row and four of their last five games. The Seawolves ended an eight-game winless streak last week, splitting with Lake Superior State.
Lake Superior State at Alaska: The Lakers continue their great Alaska adventure, going from Anchorage to Fairbanks to take on the Nanooks, who were swept at Mankato last weekend.
The Minnesota State women's hockey team is on the road to Ohio State. The Mavericks next month are having a fundraiser honoring the 40th anniversary of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice," which their coach, John Harrington, was part of.
Read more about the matchup in the College Hockey Gameday feature.
In other WCHA action ...
Bemidji State at Alabama Huntsville: This series began on Thursday night with the Beavers winning 3-1 for their third straight victory. The Chargers are still stuck at one victory for the season.
Bowling Green at Michigan Tech: The Falcons will try to stop a four-game losing skid but are in Houghton to take on the 17th-ranked Huskies, who are 6-2-1 since the start of December.
Alaska Anchorage at Northern Michigan: The Wildcats are back home after a sweep of Bowling Green. They have won three in a row and four of their last five games. The Seawolves ended an eight-game winless streak last week, splitting with Lake Superior State.
Lake Superior State at Alaska: The Lakers continue their great Alaska adventure, going from Anchorage to Fairbanks to take on the Nanooks, who were swept at Mankato last weekend.
The Minnesota State women's hockey team is on the road to Ohio State. The Mavericks next month are having a fundraiser honoring the 40th anniversary of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice," which their coach, John Harrington, was part of.
Sunday, January 5, 2020
WCHA suspends Alaska player for hit on Michaelis
Th WCHA office on Sunday announced a one-game suspension for Alaska senior forward Kylar Hope for his hit from behind on Minnesota State's Marc Michaelis on Saturday.
Hope received a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct infraction for checking from behind in the final minute of the first period. "Upon review, the hit was delivered in a manner that warranted the suspension," the WCHA's press release said.
Alaska’s next scheduled game is Friday at home against Lake Superior State. Hope will be eligible to return for Saturday's game against the Lakers.
Mavericks 3, Nanooks 1
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Not just a role player: Nick Rivera has made a pretty big impact this season, just not offensively. Killing penalties, blocking shots, preserving late leads ... the senior forward and co-captain is the kind of veteran willing to do just about anything to get a win. But scoring's nice, too. The OT hero of last year's WCHA championship game went into Saturday's game with just one goal for the season, so it was nice to see him finally pot a couple of goals in a grind-it-out win over Alaska. Both came during his time to shine — a short-handed goal on the penalty kill and an empty-netter as the Mavericks were trying to salt away the game.
2. Call him 'Shooter': I wrote about Reggie Lutz's penchant for shooting the puck in this week's preview story, and he showed that off with what turned out to be the game-winning goal midway through the third period. Taking advantage of a neutral-zone turnover forced by defenseman Riese Zmolek, Lutz carried the puck into the zone on an odd-man rush and fired a nasty wrist shot from the top of the circle over the goaltender's stick-side shoulder for the 2-0 lead. It was his eighth goal of the season, a career high.
3. Scary moment: A lot of MSU fans breathed a sigh of relief when Marc Michaelis came out for the second period. Late in the first period, he was checked from behind by Kylar Hope and left the rink doubled over in pain. He went straight to the locker room or training room after that. He ended up being OK, of course, but it could have been a devastating loss for the Mavericks, as he is their captain, leading scorer and best player. It was a really bad hit, especially because Michaelis had just taken on another hit and didn't see it coming. I'll be curious to see if it results in any further discipline from the league.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Northern Michigan 4, Bowling Green 3, OT ... Bemidji State 4, Ferris State 1 ... North Dakota 5, Alabama Huntsville 2 ... Arizona State 4, Michigan Tech 3 ... Alaska Anchorage 2, Lake Superior State 0
1. Not just a role player: Nick Rivera has made a pretty big impact this season, just not offensively. Killing penalties, blocking shots, preserving late leads ... the senior forward and co-captain is the kind of veteran willing to do just about anything to get a win. But scoring's nice, too. The OT hero of last year's WCHA championship game went into Saturday's game with just one goal for the season, so it was nice to see him finally pot a couple of goals in a grind-it-out win over Alaska. Both came during his time to shine — a short-handed goal on the penalty kill and an empty-netter as the Mavericks were trying to salt away the game.
2. Call him 'Shooter': I wrote about Reggie Lutz's penchant for shooting the puck in this week's preview story, and he showed that off with what turned out to be the game-winning goal midway through the third period. Taking advantage of a neutral-zone turnover forced by defenseman Riese Zmolek, Lutz carried the puck into the zone on an odd-man rush and fired a nasty wrist shot from the top of the circle over the goaltender's stick-side shoulder for the 2-0 lead. It was his eighth goal of the season, a career high.
3. Scary moment: A lot of MSU fans breathed a sigh of relief when Marc Michaelis came out for the second period. Late in the first period, he was checked from behind by Kylar Hope and left the rink doubled over in pain. He went straight to the locker room or training room after that. He ended up being OK, of course, but it could have been a devastating loss for the Mavericks, as he is their captain, leading scorer and best player. It was a really bad hit, especially because Michaelis had just taken on another hit and didn't see it coming. I'll be curious to see if it results in any further discipline from the league.
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Northern Michigan 4, Bowling Green 3, OT ... Bemidji State 4, Ferris State 1 ... North Dakota 5, Alabama Huntsville 2 ... Arizona State 4, Michigan Tech 3 ... Alaska Anchorage 2, Lake Superior State 0
Saturday, January 4, 2020
Minnesota State vs. Alaska, Game 2
The Mavericks will go for the series sweep tonight when they play the Nanooks at 6:07 p.m. Here are tonight's lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 21-Sowder
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 8-Smith
15-Napravnik, 11-Spooner, 9-Gerard
23-Rivera, 26-French, 17-Duehr
22-Gerads
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
7-Aamodt, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Borchardt, Bukes, Carroll, Malinowski, McMahan, Van Os-Shaw, Sandelin
ALASKA
11-S. Jandric, 20-Newton, 9-Young
26-Cline, 27-Leiter, 28-Hope
6-Henbrant, 27-Van Tetering, 14-Blaszczak
12-Hite, 17-Doyle, 36-Marino
10-Zohovs
23-Kalkis, 32-Thompson
25-Virtanen, 5-Komuls
2-Weiss, 24-LaDouce
33-Martinsson
30-Grigals
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 21-Sowder
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 8-Smith
15-Napravnik, 11-Spooner, 9-Gerard
23-Rivera, 26-French, 17-Duehr
22-Gerads
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
7-Aamodt, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Borchardt, Bukes, Carroll, Malinowski, McMahan, Van Os-Shaw, Sandelin
ALASKA
11-S. Jandric, 20-Newton, 9-Young
26-Cline, 27-Leiter, 28-Hope
6-Henbrant, 27-Van Tetering, 14-Blaszczak
12-Hite, 17-Doyle, 36-Marino
10-Zohovs
23-Kalkis, 32-Thompson
25-Virtanen, 5-Komuls
2-Weiss, 24-LaDouce
33-Martinsson
30-Grigals
Friday, January 3, 2020
Mavericks 4, Nanooks 0
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. Win 200: There's much more about this in my gamer (linked below), but it's been an impressive 7 1/2 seasons for Mike Hastings at Minnesota State. He picked up his 200th victory with the Mavericks on Friday. No team in men's college hockey has won more games than MSU since he took over in 2012. Hastings credited Troy Jutting and the former coach's assistants, whom he's kept, for making sure the cupboard wasn't bare when he got to Mankato. But Hastings definitely turned around the program to make it one of the best in the country.
2. Michaelis takes over: Marc Michaelis scored two goals and assisted on another in the third period to put the game out of reach. Perhaps his most-impressive play was the set-up to Parker Tuomie for the game's fourth goal. He showed patience before passing across to the back door where Tuomie was crashing down. Michaelis could have tried for the hat trick there but made the selfless play instead. "Marc’s a selfless player," Hastings said. "He does a really good job delivering, as our other leaders, … messages on we’s more important than me. Marc’s the epitome of that. I really like the maturation level that he’s carrying himself with both on and off the ice right now. I just thought he was solid from start to finish."
3. Team shutout: Dryden McKay recorded his sixth shutout of the season, his second in a row and the 10th in his season and a half with the Mavericks. But he only had to stop seven shots to do that. The Mavericks actually blocked more shots (10) than they allowed to get to their goaltender. No shots got to McKay in the third period. "The guys were giving it to Drydo a little bit in there," Hastings said. "I thought the team played well together, whether we had it or didn’t have it. I thought we were responsible. We didn’t create the other team’s offense."
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Northern Michigan 5, Bowling Green 2 ... Bemidji State 5, Ferris State 2 ... North Dakota 5, Alabama Huntsville 2
1. Win 200: There's much more about this in my gamer (linked below), but it's been an impressive 7 1/2 seasons for Mike Hastings at Minnesota State. He picked up his 200th victory with the Mavericks on Friday. No team in men's college hockey has won more games than MSU since he took over in 2012. Hastings credited Troy Jutting and the former coach's assistants, whom he's kept, for making sure the cupboard wasn't bare when he got to Mankato. But Hastings definitely turned around the program to make it one of the best in the country.
2. Michaelis takes over: Marc Michaelis scored two goals and assisted on another in the third period to put the game out of reach. Perhaps his most-impressive play was the set-up to Parker Tuomie for the game's fourth goal. He showed patience before passing across to the back door where Tuomie was crashing down. Michaelis could have tried for the hat trick there but made the selfless play instead. "Marc’s a selfless player," Hastings said. "He does a really good job delivering, as our other leaders, … messages on we’s more important than me. Marc’s the epitome of that. I really like the maturation level that he’s carrying himself with both on and off the ice right now. I just thought he was solid from start to finish."
3. Team shutout: Dryden McKay recorded his sixth shutout of the season, his second in a row and the 10th in his season and a half with the Mavericks. But he only had to stop seven shots to do that. The Mavericks actually blocked more shots (10) than they allowed to get to their goaltender. No shots got to McKay in the third period. "The guys were giving it to Drydo a little bit in there," Hastings said. "I thought the team played well together, whether we had it or didn’t have it. I thought we were responsible. We didn’t create the other team’s offense."
Read my game story here.
Around the WCHA: Northern Michigan 5, Bowling Green 2 ... Bemidji State 5, Ferris State 2 ... North Dakota 5, Alabama Huntsville 2
Minnesota State vs. Alaska
The Mavericks are back on their home ice for the first time since early December for a WCHA series against Alaska. Here are tonight's lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 21-Sowder
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 8-Smith
15-Napravnik, 11-Spooner, 9-Gerard
23-Rivera, 26-French, 14-Sandelin
22-Gerads
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
7-Aamodt, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Borchardt, Bukes, Carroll, Duehr, Malinowski, McMahan, Van Os-Shaw
ALASKA
11-S. Jandric, 27-Leiter, 9-Young
26-Cline, 15-Van Tetering, 28-Hope
6-Henbrant, 20-Newton, 10-Zohovs
12-Hite, 17-Doyle, 36-Marino
25-Virtanen
23-Kalkis, 32-Thompson
29-C. Jandric, 5-Komuls
2-Weiss, 24-LaDouce
33-Martinsson
30-Grigals
MINNESOTA STATE
6-Tuomie, 20-Michaelis, 21-Sowder
16-Lutz, 5-Jaremko, 8-Smith
15-Napravnik, 11-Spooner, 9-Gerard
23-Rivera, 26-French, 14-Sandelin
22-Gerads
2-Mackey, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 18-Scheid
7-Aamodt, 24-Hookenson
29-McKay
31-Berger
Scratches: Borchardt, Bukes, Carroll, Duehr, Malinowski, McMahan, Van Os-Shaw
ALASKA
11-S. Jandric, 27-Leiter, 9-Young
26-Cline, 15-Van Tetering, 28-Hope
6-Henbrant, 20-Newton, 10-Zohovs
12-Hite, 17-Doyle, 36-Marino
25-Virtanen
23-Kalkis, 32-Thompson
29-C. Jandric, 5-Komuls
2-Weiss, 24-LaDouce
33-Martinsson
30-Grigals
Friday Morning Skate
The Mavericks slipped to No. 3 nationally following their loss and win at the Mariucci Classic last weekend. After a short week, they're back home to face Alaska in a WCHA series. It will be conference games from here on out over the rest of the regular season for Minnesota State.
One player who's had a nice first half has been Reggie Lutz. He's a shoot-first player, who is tied for third on the team with seven goals.
College Hockey News looks at the Hobey Baker race at the midway point of the season and wonders if a goalie — maybe even a certain one at MSU — might win it this year. That's only happened twice before.
FYI, from 2-4 p.m. today at the Mankato Barnes & Noble and at the civic center prior to tonight's game, Dan Myers will be signing his book, "100 Things Wild Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die." Myers is a Minnesota State graduate and former Free Press stringer who is now the digital content coordinator for the Minnesota Wild.
Going around the WCHA ...
Northern Michigan at Bowling Green: The Wildcats return to action for the first time since ending Minnesota State's 10-game winning streak and will face the Falcons, who are looking to bounce back from a loss to Miami and former coach Chris Bergeron on Monday.
Ferris State at Bemidji State: The Beavers went 0-2 at the Mariucci Classic, but they've been rock-solid in conference play and will try to keep that good record going when they host the Bulldogs, who went 0-2 at the Great Lakes Invitational last week. Despite his team's record at Mariucci, BSU coach Tom Serratore likes the mid-winter tournament and, in fact, would like to see the return of the North Star College Cup.
Alabama Huntsville at North Dakota: The Chargers, who have just one victory this season will try to pull off a big upset in Grand Forks when they face the No. 1-ranked Fighting Hawks. UND has just one loss, which happened in Mankato back on Oct. 19.
Michigan Tech at Arizona State: Fresh off the championship of the Great Lakes Invitational, the Huskies will travel to the desert for a Saturday-Sunday nonconference series. The Huskies beat Michigan State and Michigan at the GLI and are 9-2-1 since starting the season 3-6-0.
Lake Superior State at Alaska Anchorage: The Lakers and Seawolves play a Saturday-Sunday conference series to start the second half of the league schedule. For Lake Superior State, which dropped two games at the Vermont tournament last weekend, it's the start of a two-week Alaska trip, as they'll play the Nanooks next week. Anchorage is playing for the first time since Dec. 7.
The Minnesota State women's team is playing in the second annual Minnesota Cup on Saturday and Sunday in Duluth. The tournament, a nonconference event between WCHA teams, features St. Cloud State, Bemidji State and UMD.
One player who's had a nice first half has been Reggie Lutz. He's a shoot-first player, who is tied for third on the team with seven goals.
The Mavericks are looking for win No. 200 in the Mike Hastings era but face a tough challenge from the Nanooks, who haven't been swept since opening weekend. The Mavericks looked more like themselves in a 2-0 victory over Bemidji State on Sunday after getting thumped 7-2 by St. Cloud State on Saturday in Minneapolis. Alaska, meanwhile, will be playing games for the first time in nearly a month.@Reggie_Lutz extended the lead to 2-0 earlier in the first period with this little spin-o-rama #HornsUp😈 pic.twitter.com/UPZxJrpR6M— Minnesota State Hockey (@MavHockey) December 29, 2019
College Hockey News looks at the Hobey Baker race at the midway point of the season and wonders if a goalie — maybe even a certain one at MSU — might win it this year. That's only happened twice before.
FYI, from 2-4 p.m. today at the Mankato Barnes & Noble and at the civic center prior to tonight's game, Dan Myers will be signing his book, "100 Things Wild Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die." Myers is a Minnesota State graduate and former Free Press stringer who is now the digital content coordinator for the Minnesota Wild.
Going around the WCHA ...
Northern Michigan at Bowling Green: The Wildcats return to action for the first time since ending Minnesota State's 10-game winning streak and will face the Falcons, who are looking to bounce back from a loss to Miami and former coach Chris Bergeron on Monday.
Ferris State at Bemidji State: The Beavers went 0-2 at the Mariucci Classic, but they've been rock-solid in conference play and will try to keep that good record going when they host the Bulldogs, who went 0-2 at the Great Lakes Invitational last week. Despite his team's record at Mariucci, BSU coach Tom Serratore likes the mid-winter tournament and, in fact, would like to see the return of the North Star College Cup.
Alabama Huntsville at North Dakota: The Chargers, who have just one victory this season will try to pull off a big upset in Grand Forks when they face the No. 1-ranked Fighting Hawks. UND has just one loss, which happened in Mankato back on Oct. 19.
Michigan Tech at Arizona State: Fresh off the championship of the Great Lakes Invitational, the Huskies will travel to the desert for a Saturday-Sunday nonconference series. The Huskies beat Michigan State and Michigan at the GLI and are 9-2-1 since starting the season 3-6-0.
Lake Superior State at Alaska Anchorage: The Lakers and Seawolves play a Saturday-Sunday conference series to start the second half of the league schedule. For Lake Superior State, which dropped two games at the Vermont tournament last weekend, it's the start of a two-week Alaska trip, as they'll play the Nanooks next week. Anchorage is playing for the first time since Dec. 7.
The Minnesota State women's team is playing in the second annual Minnesota Cup on Saturday and Sunday in Duluth. The tournament, a nonconference event between WCHA teams, features St. Cloud State, Bemidji State and UMD.
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