The Minnesota State men's hockey team left town early Thursday for their season-opening series at RPI in Troy, N.Y. The Mavericks have never played the Engineers before, but it shapes up to be a competitive series (more on that on Friday). ...
One of the players on the trip is freshman Matt Leitner, who missed all of last season while getting his academics in order. He was a student at MSU but did not practice or work out with the team. Monday's exhibition game against British Columbia was Leitner's first game action in almost 18 months, he said.
Leitner said he achieved a 3.2 GPA in his first year of school, which is great for him and the Mavericks. He has a chance to be the kind of top-line center MSU has lacked in recent years.
You can read more about his thoughts and other MSU happenings (like Mavs women's standout Kathleen Rogan being named WCHA offensive player of the week) in The Free Press' weekly college hockey notebook here. ...
Meanwhile, Notre Dame made it official on Wednesday, announcing that it will join Hockey East in 2013-14. The Irish also announced that all of their home games will be broadcast nationally on Versus (now the NBC Sports Network), a move that, ironically, caused the National Collegiate Hockey Conference to back away from its desire to get Notre Dame.
(This all begs the question: If the NCHC didn't get Notre Dame and didn't get a national TV contract, what the heck did it get to make it worth breaking up the WCHA this summer?)
For now, that appears to be the final domino to fall since Penn State's announcement that it was adding hockey a little more than a year ago — at least in the West. There is speculation that we might see some shuffling in the East, as Hockey East looks for a 12th team. RPI could be a possibility or maybe a new D-I team. Stay tuned. ...
As for the WCHA, I wrote on Wednesday that it and MSU needs to start selling the future. But Kevin Gordon of the Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune has already started looking into it. WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod told him that the league is no hurry to expand further (although 10 teams would be preferable to nine/check out the poll to the right) and will continue to play a 28-game league schedule.
McLeod also said the league is looking into how to fit two Alaska teams into the schedule.
Here's where the western teams will be in 2013-14 (as of right now):
WCHA
Minnesota State
Bemidji State
Michigan Tech
Northern Michigan
Lake Superior State
Ferris State
Bowling Green
Alaska-Anchorage
Alaska
BIG 10
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Michigan
Michigan State
Ohio State
Penn State
NCHC
North Dakota
Denver
Colorado College
Minnesota Duluth
St. Cloud State
Nebraska Omaha
Miami
Western Michigan
Notre Dame to Hockey East ... Air Force in Atlantic Hockey ... Alabama-Huntsville still independent
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Big 9
Bowling Green has made its decision, and it will indeed join the WCHA in 2013-14, the school announced on Tuesday.
Bowling Green was invited to join the league, along with other CCHA schools after the formation of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference was announced. The Falcons were the last school to make a commitment and even asked the WCHA for a deadline extension to make its decision.
That will put the revamped WCHA at nine teams for 2013-14: Minnesota State, Bemidji State, Michigan Tech, Alaska-Anchorage, Alaska, Northern Michigan, Lake Superior State, Ferris State and Bowling Green.
"The WCHA is a great fit for BGSU," athletic director Greg Christopher said in a press release. "WCHA teams are committed to the highest level of college hockey and competing for championships, just as we are at Bowling Green."
Bowling Green might have been waiting for Notre Dame to make its final decision on a conference landing spot. The Irish are expected to announce on Wednesday that it is joining Hockey East (snubbing the NCHC perhaps?). There were also reports last week that Bowling Green was meeting with members of Atlantic Hockey and the University at Buffalo about possibly starting a new league or keeping the CCHA alive.
So will the WCHA hold at nine teams? Alabama-Huntsville is still looking for a home, and there have been calls by some for the WCHA to help save that program. Meanwhile, Minnesota State-Moorhead is still studying the feasibility of and seeking pledges for adding Division I hockey.
Stay tuned.
Bowling Green was invited to join the league, along with other CCHA schools after the formation of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference was announced. The Falcons were the last school to make a commitment and even asked the WCHA for a deadline extension to make its decision.
That will put the revamped WCHA at nine teams for 2013-14: Minnesota State, Bemidji State, Michigan Tech, Alaska-Anchorage, Alaska, Northern Michigan, Lake Superior State, Ferris State and Bowling Green.
"The WCHA is a great fit for BGSU," athletic director Greg Christopher said in a press release. "WCHA teams are committed to the highest level of college hockey and competing for championships, just as we are at Bowling Green."
Bowling Green might have been waiting for Notre Dame to make its final decision on a conference landing spot. The Irish are expected to announce on Wednesday that it is joining Hockey East (snubbing the NCHC perhaps?). There were also reports last week that Bowling Green was meeting with members of Atlantic Hockey and the University at Buffalo about possibly starting a new league or keeping the CCHA alive.
So will the WCHA hold at nine teams? Alabama-Huntsville is still looking for a home, and there have been calls by some for the WCHA to help save that program. Meanwhile, Minnesota State-Moorhead is still studying the feasibility of and seeking pledges for adding Division I hockey.
Stay tuned.
Hockey, hockey, hockey ...
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| Photos by Pat Christman/The Free Press |
Finally, there's the game story from Monday's exhibition against British Columbia. It was a pretty sparse crowd at the Verizon Wireless Center but they saw some decent play, including goals by Zach Lehrke, Corey Leivermann and Jean-Paul LaFontaine. Unlike regular-season games, the Mavericks could dress everyone for the exhibition and put different lineups on the ice each period. Only Justin Jokinen, who sat out with a minor injury, didn't play. Third-string goalie Evan Karambelas dressed but didn't play. He is returning from injury.
You can see video of Leivermann's goal off the back of the UBC goalie on KEYC-TV's report from last night. Video here.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Mavericks 3, Thunderbirds 1
As far as exhibition games go, Monday's was a good one for the Mavericks, a 3-1 win over British Columbia. The last two were a little too close for comfort with a 1-0 win over UBC last year and an overtime win over Lethbridge the year before.
Minnesota State outshot UBC 38-19 and got goals from Zach Lehrke, Corey Leivermann and Jean-Paul LaFontaine.
Lehrke made a nice impression. Besides scoring the game's first goal, he was doing things all over the ice -- blocking shots, stealing the puck for a mini-breakaway, making a smart play on a 2-on-1 turned 3-on-1. Unfortunately for the Mavs, those last two plays resulted in saves.
"Being in my second year helps a lot with confidence," the sophomore Lehrke said. "You know you can do more. I think I had a good summer. I came in stronger, maybe a little faster and a little quicker."
Lehrke had two goals and four assists as a rookie. Leivermann, the Mankato native, had three goals and four assists. His goal, which ended up as the game-winner, was a shot from below the goal line that he caromed off the back of the goalie with 18.7 seconds left in the second period.
LaFontaine completed an all-rookie play, scoring from Matt Leitner and Zach Palmquist just after a power play ended. All three were on the power play together, along with Lehrke and Chase Grant.
More in Tuesday's Free Press, which will be jam-packed with hockey stuff.
Minnesota State outshot UBC 38-19 and got goals from Zach Lehrke, Corey Leivermann and Jean-Paul LaFontaine.
Lehrke made a nice impression. Besides scoring the game's first goal, he was doing things all over the ice -- blocking shots, stealing the puck for a mini-breakaway, making a smart play on a 2-on-1 turned 3-on-1. Unfortunately for the Mavs, those last two plays resulted in saves.
"Being in my second year helps a lot with confidence," the sophomore Lehrke said. "You know you can do more. I think I had a good summer. I came in stronger, maybe a little faster and a little quicker."
Lehrke had two goals and four assists as a rookie. Leivermann, the Mankato native, had three goals and four assists. His goal, which ended up as the game-winner, was a shot from below the goal line that he caromed off the back of the goalie with 18.7 seconds left in the second period.
LaFontaine completed an all-rookie play, scoring from Matt Leitner and Zach Palmquist just after a power play ended. All three were on the power play together, along with Lehrke and Chase Grant.
More in Tuesday's Free Press, which will be jam-packed with hockey stuff.
It's gameday!
Minnesota State will take the ice for the first time in 2011-12 tonight when they host British Columbia in an exhibition game.
This will be the third game in as many days for BC, which lost to Nebraska-Omaha 4-1 on Saturday and Minnesota 3-0 on Sunday. This is the final exhibition game for WCHA teams, which went 8-0-1 in preseason action over the weekend.
Of course, PucKato will be live blogging from the game, so check back later for that. Lines will be posted when available.
If you're looking for a little Monday Morning Skate, check out my story on the Mavericks kicking off the season with a lot of last season's close losses — including a pesky playoff stretch totaling 2 minutes, 25 seconds — still in their heads.
In other college hockey happenings, it appears Notre Dame apparently has made a decision and will go to Hockey East in 2013-14. At least that's what the South Bend Tribune is speculating, and why not? The Irish haven't announced it officially, yet but the National Collegiate Hockey Conference is planning on it, announcing over the weekend that it will be an eight-team conference when it starts up.
That, of course, leaves Bowling Green, which has a deadline of Friday to decide on its invitation to the WCHA.
In women's hockey, the Minnesota State women's team opened the season with a sweep of Lindenwood. The Mavericks won 4-3 and 10-2. Sophomore Kathleen Rogan picked up where she left off last year and scored five goals in the series, including four on Saturday. Lauren Barnes, the sophomore transfer from Mercyhurst, had a goal and four assists. Her goal was Friday's game-winner.
This will be the third game in as many days for BC, which lost to Nebraska-Omaha 4-1 on Saturday and Minnesota 3-0 on Sunday. This is the final exhibition game for WCHA teams, which went 8-0-1 in preseason action over the weekend.
Of course, PucKato will be live blogging from the game, so check back later for that. Lines will be posted when available.
If you're looking for a little Monday Morning Skate, check out my story on the Mavericks kicking off the season with a lot of last season's close losses — including a pesky playoff stretch totaling 2 minutes, 25 seconds — still in their heads.
In other college hockey happenings, it appears Notre Dame apparently has made a decision and will go to Hockey East in 2013-14. At least that's what the South Bend Tribune is speculating, and why not? The Irish haven't announced it officially, yet but the National Collegiate Hockey Conference is planning on it, announcing over the weekend that it will be an eight-team conference when it starts up.
That, of course, leaves Bowling Green, which has a deadline of Friday to decide on its invitation to the WCHA.
In women's hockey, the Minnesota State women's team opened the season with a sweep of Lindenwood. The Mavericks won 4-3 and 10-2. Sophomore Kathleen Rogan picked up where she left off last year and scored five goals in the series, including four on Saturday. Lauren Barnes, the sophomore transfer from Mercyhurst, had a goal and four assists. Her goal was Friday's game-winner.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Talking about practice
The Mavericks held their first regular-season practice of the season on Saturday morning. It was the first of three practices before Monday's exhibition game against British Columbia (MSU was scheduled to have a Saturday-evening practice and a Sunday practice).
"For a first practice it was very good," coach Troy Jutting said afterward. "The intensity was good. We've got some learning to do, but I thought, in terms of being prepared for practice, that it was very good."
When I showed up to the rink, workers were cleaning up a section of glass that had been shattered during the workout. Apparently, it occurred when defenseman Tyler Elbrecht checked forward J.P. Burkemper into the boards.
Senior defenseman Cameron Cooper said the team's preseason workouts and two-hours/week with coaches over the last couple of weeks prepared them well for Saturday's official start to the season. Indeed, it's somewhat of a crash course, with an exhibition game on Monday and real games next Friday and Saturday.
"I feel like today was really good," Cooper said. "It was a lot better than they've been in the past. But we've been doing something every day. That's helped a lot of the guys. I thought the pace was good. I feel like everyone did their work this summer."
Exhibition season began late Friday night, as Alaska-Anchorage defeated Northern Alberta 7-2. Tonight in the WCHA, Michigan Tech, Nebraska-Omaha, North Dakota and Denver will play exhibitions. On Sunday, Bemidji State, Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota and Colorado College will be in action. Minnesota State is the only WCHA team playing on Monday. It will be the third game for their opponent, BC, who is playing Omaha tonight and Minnesota on Sunday.
Looking ahead at some MSU coverage, The Free Press will have a early season story in Monday's paper, and Tuesday will be an extravaganza with a season preview, player feature (who will it be?) and coverage of Monday night's game.
Speaking of Monday's game and all other Maverick home games this season, single-game tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Monday at the Verizon Wireless Center box office and through Ticketmaster.
"For a first practice it was very good," coach Troy Jutting said afterward. "The intensity was good. We've got some learning to do, but I thought, in terms of being prepared for practice, that it was very good."
When I showed up to the rink, workers were cleaning up a section of glass that had been shattered during the workout. Apparently, it occurred when defenseman Tyler Elbrecht checked forward J.P. Burkemper into the boards.
Senior defenseman Cameron Cooper said the team's preseason workouts and two-hours/week with coaches over the last couple of weeks prepared them well for Saturday's official start to the season. Indeed, it's somewhat of a crash course, with an exhibition game on Monday and real games next Friday and Saturday.
"I feel like today was really good," Cooper said. "It was a lot better than they've been in the past. But we've been doing something every day. That's helped a lot of the guys. I thought the pace was good. I feel like everyone did their work this summer."
Exhibition season began late Friday night, as Alaska-Anchorage defeated Northern Alberta 7-2. Tonight in the WCHA, Michigan Tech, Nebraska-Omaha, North Dakota and Denver will play exhibitions. On Sunday, Bemidji State, Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota and Colorado College will be in action. Minnesota State is the only WCHA team playing on Monday. It will be the third game for their opponent, BC, who is playing Omaha tonight and Minnesota on Sunday.
Looking ahead at some MSU coverage, The Free Press will have a early season story in Monday's paper, and Tuesday will be an extravaganza with a season preview, player feature (who will it be?) and coverage of Monday night's game.
Speaking of Monday's game and all other Maverick home games this season, single-game tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Monday at the Verizon Wireless Center box office and through Ticketmaster.
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