Monday, November 5, 2007
Backes out four weeks
Ex-Mavericks and current St. Louis Blues forward David Backes will miss four weeks because of an injury to his left knee. Backes, who was injured Saturday, has two goals and two assists in 12 games. The injury will not require surgery and, according to Blues officials, could have been worse.
You want answers?
Since the blog went up in September, some of you have had questions for PucKato. Sorry I haven't been able to get to respond to all of them right away, but tonight I'm going to answer a few of them. Here we go ...
Why didn't MSU have any preseason games? I asked Troy Jutting today if, in retrospect, he wishes he would have had a nonconference series or an exhibition game before the Michigan Tech series, and he said he tried to get games for that weekend but was unable to do so. With the improvement the Mavericks have shown against Alaska-Anchorage and Alabama-Huntsville, it appears that some preseason action would have been helpful.
Has a new athletic trainer been hired to replace Jason Bushie? Not yet. MSU's head athletic trainer Jeff Chambers has been around the practice rink, though, and made the last two road trips.
Isn't Lucas Fransen playing in the Netherlands? I haven't been able to track that down. The former MSU defenseman doesn't show up on hockeydb.com, which is a great source for hockey statistics of all leagues and levels. However, I forgot to mention ex-Maverick Aaron Fox, who is now playing in Austria. Fox, who played at MSU from 1997-2000, has enjoyed a nice career in Europe, racking up tons of points in several countries, especially Germany.
Will the Alltel Center be full for Friday's game against the Gophers? It's certainly looking that way. As of tonight, Ticketmaster only had standing-room-only tickets available.
Will Mike Zacharias start in goal both nights against Minnesota? Since it's Monday, that decision isn't even close to being made. I'm guessing Zacharias, who has a .943 save percentage in five games, will start Friday. But, based on past history, Jutting won't -- at least publicly -- make a decision on Saturday's starter until after Friday's game or the next morning. Jutting noted Monday that he was glad to see Dan Tormey get back on track with a solid performance Saturday at Huntsville.
What happened to Ryan Gunderson? He's on the team, practicing hard every day. The sophomore played in six games last year as a freshman and had one assist. Remember, he was converted from forward to defense when he arrived last season, and he's probably the eighth D on a team with seven pretty solid defensemen right now.
That's all for now. Thanks for the questions. Keep them coming.
Why didn't MSU have any preseason games? I asked Troy Jutting today if, in retrospect, he wishes he would have had a nonconference series or an exhibition game before the Michigan Tech series, and he said he tried to get games for that weekend but was unable to do so. With the improvement the Mavericks have shown against Alaska-Anchorage and Alabama-Huntsville, it appears that some preseason action would have been helpful.
Has a new athletic trainer been hired to replace Jason Bushie? Not yet. MSU's head athletic trainer Jeff Chambers has been around the practice rink, though, and made the last two road trips.
Isn't Lucas Fransen playing in the Netherlands? I haven't been able to track that down. The former MSU defenseman doesn't show up on hockeydb.com, which is a great source for hockey statistics of all leagues and levels. However, I forgot to mention ex-Maverick Aaron Fox, who is now playing in Austria. Fox, who played at MSU from 1997-2000, has enjoyed a nice career in Europe, racking up tons of points in several countries, especially Germany.
Will the Alltel Center be full for Friday's game against the Gophers? It's certainly looking that way. As of tonight, Ticketmaster only had standing-room-only tickets available.
Will Mike Zacharias start in goal both nights against Minnesota? Since it's Monday, that decision isn't even close to being made. I'm guessing Zacharias, who has a .943 save percentage in five games, will start Friday. But, based on past history, Jutting won't -- at least publicly -- make a decision on Saturday's starter until after Friday's game or the next morning. Jutting noted Monday that he was glad to see Dan Tormey get back on track with a solid performance Saturday at Huntsville.
What happened to Ryan Gunderson? He's on the team, practicing hard every day. The sophomore played in six games last year as a freshman and had one assist. Remember, he was converted from forward to defense when he arrived last season, and he's probably the eighth D on a team with seven pretty solid defensemen right now.
That's all for now. Thanks for the questions. Keep them coming.
Skaters as waiters
Members of the Minnesota State men’s hockey team will be "Skaters as Waiters" from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Junker's Bar & Grill in North Mankato.
Hockey players will wait tables and tend bar, donating all tips to Campus Kitchen Mankato, a non-profit organization that helps prepare and deliver meals around Mankato for families. There will also be a silent auction for items that include Maverick hockey memorabila.
The event is being coordinated by Brian Kilburg, Matt Tyree, Mick Berge, Jon Kalinski, Channing Boe and Rylan Galiardi.
"This is a chance for those that follow the Maverick men's hockey program to get to know us while having a great time and a great meal," Kilburg said. "But our primary focus is to assist and provide support for Campus Kitchen Mankato. We want to be involved in the community, and this project is something we all thought would be appropriate and worthwhile."
Hockey players will wait tables and tend bar, donating all tips to Campus Kitchen Mankato, a non-profit organization that helps prepare and deliver meals around Mankato for families. There will also be a silent auction for items that include Maverick hockey memorabila.
The event is being coordinated by Brian Kilburg, Matt Tyree, Mick Berge, Jon Kalinski, Channing Boe and Rylan Galiardi.
"This is a chance for those that follow the Maverick men's hockey program to get to know us while having a great time and a great meal," Kilburg said. "But our primary focus is to assist and provide support for Campus Kitchen Mankato. We want to be involved in the community, and this project is something we all thought would be appropriate and worthwhile."
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Coming home winners
The Mavericks defeated Alabama-Huntsville 4-2 Saturday afternoon to finish off a series sweep of the Chargers and finish the six-game road swing to start the season with a winning record of 3-2-1.
(Sorry I didn't have a post after Friday's 7-0 win. I was at a hockey arena, only Bruce Springsteen was playing in it.)
"Obviously, it's good have a winning record," coach Troy Jutting said. "I'd like to be 6-0, but the improvements we've made from the first weekend to the second and third have also been good."
A couple of MSU's veterans broke out of their offensive slumps as Mick Berge scored two goals Saturday and had a three-point weekend. Jon Kalinski, who scored twice Friday, also had three points in the series, as did defenseman Brian Kilburg (another good radio name, by the way) Defenseman Nick Canzanello had a goal and an assist Friday, and senior forward Matt Tyree scored his second career goal and first in more than a year.
Goalie Dan Tormey also got back on track. Playing for the first time since getting roughed up at Michigan Tech, he stopped 26 of 28 shots for his first win of the year. Mike Zacharias recorded his second straight shutout Friday. When Huntsville scored in the second period Saturday, it snapped MSU's nine-period shutout streak, a stretch that lasted 132:58.
The Mavericks will finally play a home game Friday night against Minnesota.
(Sorry I didn't have a post after Friday's 7-0 win. I was at a hockey arena, only Bruce Springsteen was playing in it.)
"Obviously, it's good have a winning record," coach Troy Jutting said. "I'd like to be 6-0, but the improvements we've made from the first weekend to the second and third have also been good."
A couple of MSU's veterans broke out of their offensive slumps as Mick Berge scored two goals Saturday and had a three-point weekend. Jon Kalinski, who scored twice Friday, also had three points in the series, as did defenseman Brian Kilburg (another good radio name, by the way) Defenseman Nick Canzanello had a goal and an assist Friday, and senior forward Matt Tyree scored his second career goal and first in more than a year.
Goalie Dan Tormey also got back on track. Playing for the first time since getting roughed up at Michigan Tech, he stopped 26 of 28 shots for his first win of the year. Mike Zacharias recorded his second straight shutout Friday. When Huntsville scored in the second period Saturday, it snapped MSU's nine-period shutout streak, a stretch that lasted 132:58.
The Mavericks will finally play a home game Friday night against Minnesota.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Sweet road Alabama
According to some research by the Minnesota State athletic communications office, the Maverick men's hockey team will have traveled more than 9,200 miles over the first three weekends of the season. That includes a nine-hour bus ride to Houghton, Mich., a five-hour flight to Anchorage, Alaska, and this weekend's trip to Huntsville, Ala.
"It does take its toll on you," junior defenseman Brian Kilburg said. "I won't lie; by the time you get back Sunday night, you're beat." You can read more about the MSU road warriors in Friday's Free Press.
Here are a few more notes on this weekend's series at Alabama-Huntsville:
Looking to bolster their scoring -- the Mavericks have five goals in four games -- coach Troy Jutting has switched up the forward lines. Here's how they're expected to look Friday:
Berge-Bruess-Kalinski
Irwin-Mouillierat-Hanson
Gaulrapp-Sackrison-Wiley
Galiardi-Harirson-Stewart
Jon Kalsinski and Joel Hanson, the Mavericks top returning scorers from last season, have yet to register a point through four games.
Mike Zacharias will start in goal Friday.
"It does take its toll on you," junior defenseman Brian Kilburg said. "I won't lie; by the time you get back Sunday night, you're beat." You can read more about the MSU road warriors in Friday's Free Press.
Here are a few more notes on this weekend's series at Alabama-Huntsville:
Looking to bolster their scoring -- the Mavericks have five goals in four games -- coach Troy Jutting has switched up the forward lines. Here's how they're expected to look Friday:
Berge-Bruess-Kalinski
Irwin-Mouillierat-Hanson
Gaulrapp-Sackrison-Wiley
Galiardi-Harirson-Stewart
Jon Kalsinski and Joel Hanson, the Mavericks top returning scorers from last season, have yet to register a point through four games.
Mike Zacharias will start in goal Friday.
Tickled pink
The Minnesota State women's hockey team's "Skate for the Cure" appeared to be a success Thursday night.
All Seasons Arena was decked out in pink for the game against St. Cloud State, proceeds from which went toward breast cancer research and awareness. Both teams wore pink uniforms -- MSU's were grey with pink numbers, stripes and highlights on the purple bull logo, while St. Cloud's were black with pink everywhere the Huskies normally wear red -- Mavericks coach Jeff Vizenor wore a pink shirt and the referees wore pink- and black-striped shirts.
WCHA Assistant Commissioner Carol LaBelle-Ehrhardt, a breast cancer survivor who has been cancer-free for six months, dropped the ceremonial first puck and said the event nearly brought her to tears. She said she hopes the event can go league-wide next year.
"Even if this only touches three people, it's going to mean something," LaBelle-Ehrhardt said.
There was no charge for the game but donations were collected. There was also a raffle and silent auction to raise money for the Minnesota chapter of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.
By the way, the Mavericks defeated the Huskies 3-2 in overtime on a Kala Buganski rebound goal.
All Seasons Arena was decked out in pink for the game against St. Cloud State, proceeds from which went toward breast cancer research and awareness. Both teams wore pink uniforms -- MSU's were grey with pink numbers, stripes and highlights on the purple bull logo, while St. Cloud's were black with pink everywhere the Huskies normally wear red -- Mavericks coach Jeff Vizenor wore a pink shirt and the referees wore pink- and black-striped shirts.
WCHA Assistant Commissioner Carol LaBelle-Ehrhardt, a breast cancer survivor who has been cancer-free for six months, dropped the ceremonial first puck and said the event nearly brought her to tears. She said she hopes the event can go league-wide next year.
"Even if this only touches three people, it's going to mean something," LaBelle-Ehrhardt said.
There was no charge for the game but donations were collected. There was also a raffle and silent auction to raise money for the Minnesota chapter of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.
By the way, the Mavericks defeated the Huskies 3-2 in overtime on a Kala Buganski rebound goal.
Student ticket update
According to Minnesota State assistant athletic director Tim Marshall, all 1,100 student tickets for next week's game against Minnesota were distributed Thursday. By 7 a.m., students were queued up from the Taylor Center past the Bud Myers Field House. Marshall said all of the free tickets were gone by 2 p.m. According to Ticketmaster, standing room only tickets are available for $22.
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