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)