Freddy's three thoughts ...
1. Crisis averted: No. 3 Minnesota State avoided any potential Pairwise problems by sweeping Ferris State in a nonconference series at Big Rapids, Mich. The feisty Bulldogs, who have won just one game (against a Division III opponent), took MSU to overtime on Friday. Minnesota State won 5-4, as Reggie Lutz scored the game-winner in the final minute. Saturday's game was tied 1-1 after one period, but the Mavericks pulled away after that, scoring four unanswered goals for a 5-1 victory. Eight different players scored goals for the Mavericks, especially impressive since they went 2 for 12 on the power play (including three majors; in all six major penalties were called in the series). Jake Jaremko and Brendan Furry each finished the series with two goals and an assist, and Lutz also had a three-point weekend. Nathan Smith had the most-impressive goal of the series, weaving his way around the Bulldogs defense before tying the game 4-4 with 14 seconds left in Friday's second period.
2. Wait, what? Dryden McKay had an uncharacteristically rough outing on Friday, allowing four goals on 10 shots over two periods before being pulled from the game. "It just wasn't his night," coach Mike Hastings told The Free Press. "There isn't anybody in the world that doesn't happen to. It was about time we tried to give him a helping hand." Ryan Edquist finished up and made one save over the third period and OT for his first win in an MSU uniform. McKay returned Saturday and saved 14 of 15 shots. McKay's tough night moved his goals-against average over 1.00 (1.03) for the first time in awhile. His save percentage is .946.
3. Any other concerns? A near-upset on Friday and a tough night for the country's best goaltender were enough to give the Mavericks bit of a pause. But losing defenseman Jack McNeely to an injury for the rest of the weekend after he was hit in the head on Friday could be more concerning — if Saturday's scratch was more than just precautionary, that is. A major penalty for contact to the head was called on the play, but that would be the second time in three weeks that a major infraction has led to games missed by a senior assistant captain. Jared Spooner remained out after he was viciously hit from behind at the end of the Bowling Green series. On a more positive note, sophomore forward Lucas Sowder returned to action for the Mavericks this weekend after missing 13 games in a row.
Deep thought: Minnesota State can clinch the MacNaughton Cup with a win at home on Thursday against Bemidji State. With four conference games remaining, the Mavericks have 30 points. Only Bemidji and Lake Superior State remain alive for the regular-season championship, and they can max out at 31 and 32 points, respectively, in the standings.
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