Freddy's three thoughts (from afar) ...
1. Twin blankings: Call him Mr. Consistent. Goalie Dryden McKay continues to impress for the Mavericks, even with three outstanding defensemen gone in front of him. McKay posted a pair of road shutouts against Northern Michigan to open the WCHA schedule, stopping 16 shots on Saturday and then 21 on Sunday in 5-0 and 4-0 victories. The clean sheets were his third and fourth of the young season (in six starts) and the 17th and 18th of the All-American's career. The junior now ranks tied for seventh in NCAA history for shutouts.
2. Still scoring: Eight different players scored goals for the Mavericks in the series. One, Cade Borchardt had two goals. He also had an assist for a three-point weekend and continues to lead MSU in points with five goals and nine points in seven games. Borchardt continues to prove that being patient and waiting your turn pays off. Just 10 games last season. No pouting. No transferring. Just working. Nathan Smith and freshman D Akito Hirose each had a four-point weekend (one goal, three assists each), and Julian Napravnik had a goal and three points. The Mavericks also finished 4 for 9 on the power play in the series.
3. How's their health? Jared Spooner scored the first goal on Saturday but didn't appear to finish the game and was a scratch on Sunday. Smith went hard into the boards on Sunday and was getting his shoulder checked out. He didn't to return to the game, and coach Mike Hastings to The Free Press after the game that he will be further evaluated when the team returns to Mankato. Those are two pretty important players for the Mavericks, along with Lucas Sowder, who remained out of the lineup and has now missed four straight games. The good news is Minnesota State continues to be one of the deepest teams in the WCHA, if not college hockey.
Around the WCHA: Saturday—Bowling Green 6, Ferris State 1; Michigan Tech 4, Alabama Huntsville 0; Bemidji State 4, Lake Superior State 1 ... Sunday—Bowling Green 4, Ferris State 2; Michigan Tech 2, Alabama Huntsville 1; Bemidji State 2, Lake Superior State 2 (OT)
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