The Mavericks are back home after more than a month off and will host Bowling Green in a series that certainly some fans circled way back when the schedule was first released. The two teams are tied for third in the WCHA standings currently, although MSU has two games in hand. The Falcons were the preseason pick to win the league this season.
It will be interesting to see who Minnesota State starts in goal. Aaron Nelson is in the mix now after his two victories last weekend at Alabama Huntsville. Nelson has proven that patience pays off for players, as difficult as that might be for 2 1/2 years.
For more about the Bowling Green series, read The Free Press' College Hockey Gameday.
For the Falcons, they have had some issues in goal, too, but sophomore Chris Nell, the first-team All-WCHA goalie last year, appears to be returning to form after a tough start, even as he's been splitting time lately. The Falcons expect this weekend to be a challenge. The last time the two teams met was in the semifinals of the WCHA Final Five last March when MSU won 2-1.
Read more about Bowling Green here.
Going around the WCHA ...
Alaska at Ferris State: Sixth place hosts seventh place in this series. The visiting Nanooks had a week off to think about its two shutout losses to Notre Dame. The Bulldogs are winless in five straight, although they got the extra shootout point at Alaska Anchorage on Saturday.
Alaska Anchorage at Michigan Tech: After a 1-11-2 start, the Seawolves are an improved 4-3-1 in their last eight games. Eight of their next 10 games, however, are on the road, starting this weekend in Houghton. The second-place Huskies are coming off a split with Notre Dame but have lost just one league game since getting swept by MSU in October.
Lake Superior State at/vs. Northern Michigan: The Lakers and the Wildcats split their home-and-home series last weekend and will be back at it again this weekend, starting tonight in Marquette. Northern Michigan's Dominik Shine has been heating up as of late.
Michigan Tech is the focus of this week's USCHO column.
In other hockey coverage, the Minnesota State women also return home this weekend to face North Dakota. The Mavericks have become a much different team over their last two months, and Minnesota Hockey Magazine has taken notice.
Friday, January 13, 2017
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Fargo forward commits to MSU
Fargo Force forward Shane McMahan this week announced that he has committed to play for Minnesota State following his United States Hockey League Career.
McMahan, 20, a native of Irvine, Calif., is in his third season with the Force. He has 15 points, including eight goals, in 21 games and is plus-4. Last season, he played in 59 of 60 games and had 14 points.
“Mankato is a great program,” the 5-foot-11, 205-pound McMahan said in a Fargo press release. “They are a contender every year, and I fit in well with their system and style of play.”
McMahan, 20, a native of Irvine, Calif., is in his third season with the Force. He has 15 points, including eight goals, in 21 games and is plus-4. Last season, he played in 59 of 60 games and had 14 points.
“Mankato is a great program,” the 5-foot-11, 205-pound McMahan said in a Fargo press release. “They are a contender every year, and I fit in well with their system and style of play.”
Monday, January 9, 2017
Nelson receives WCHA honor
Minnesota State junior goaltender Aaron Nelson was named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Mavericks' sweep over Alabama Huntsville over the weekend.
Making his long-awaited collegiate debut, Nelson had an 18-save shutout on Friday and stopped 29 of 31 shots on Saturday for a .959 save percentage. The Mavericks won 3-0 and 3-2, breaking a fourth-place tie in the league standings with UAH.
The Bismarck, N.D. native hoped hold the Chargers scoreless on eight power-play chances over the weekend, including a 5-minute major in the third period on Saturday with his team up by one goal.
With the wins, Minnesota State moved up to No. 18 in the latest USCHO poll.
Nelson's debut performance was another memorable one for a former third-string MSU goalie.
Chris Clark famously came in to play in the Mavericks' 8-7 come-from-behind victory over Denver in 2003. Starter Jon Volp and backup Kyle Nixon were both yanked, and Clark, a freshman, came in with the score 7-1 in favor of the Pioneers. He got the win and the "Hollywood" legend was born.
In 2009, freshman Phil Cook seemed to be the third guy behind sophomore Austin Lee and freshman Kevin Murdock. Still, he got some mop-up duty time early in the season and then was given a surprising start at Bemidji State. He stopped 30 shots in a 5-1 win and ended up starting 15 more games that season. Murdock transferred, and Cook and Lee split time for the next two seasons. Cook ended up losing the No. 1 job as a senior, however, to Stephon Williams.
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Mavericks 3, Chargers 2
The Minnesota State men’s hockey scored its first sweep since mid-October, defeating Alabama Huntsville 3-2 in a WCHA series finale on Saturday night.
It was the third win in a row for the No. 19 Mavericks.
Senior forward Zach Stepan scored two of MSU’s three power-play goals. Freshman defenseman Ian Scheid also had a goal, and Michael Huntebrinker finished with two assists.
Junior goaltender Aaron Nelson, who made his collegiate debut in Friday’s 3-0 victory, got the win, stopping 29 of 31 shots.
Nelson strung together five consecutive shutout periods before the Chargers scored a pair of goals 52 seconds apart in the third period to make it a 3-2 game.
The Mavericks scored twice in the first period during a five-minute major on UAH’s Cody Marooney. Scheid and Stepan had the goals 2:22 apart.
Stepan made it 3-0 with 3:23 remaining in the second period.
The goals were the first two of the season for Stepan. Prior to Saturday, he hadn't scored since Feb. 12, 2016 in a 3-3 with UAH.
After Huntsville scored its two goals, the Mavericks had to kill off their own five minute major, a checking-from-behind penalty on Clint Lewis, as well as a minor on Carter Foguth in game’s the final minute.
Minnesota State (13-7-2, 9-5-2 in WCHA) is now in a tie for third place in the conference standings with Bowling Green, whom it will host in Mankato on Friday and Saturday.
A more detailed version of this story that includes comments from coach Mike Hastings can be found here.
It was the third win in a row for the No. 19 Mavericks.
Senior forward Zach Stepan scored two of MSU’s three power-play goals. Freshman defenseman Ian Scheid also had a goal, and Michael Huntebrinker finished with two assists.
Junior goaltender Aaron Nelson, who made his collegiate debut in Friday’s 3-0 victory, got the win, stopping 29 of 31 shots.
Nelson strung together five consecutive shutout periods before the Chargers scored a pair of goals 52 seconds apart in the third period to make it a 3-2 game.
The Mavericks scored twice in the first period during a five-minute major on UAH’s Cody Marooney. Scheid and Stepan had the goals 2:22 apart.
Stepan made it 3-0 with 3:23 remaining in the second period.
The goals were the first two of the season for Stepan. Prior to Saturday, he hadn't scored since Feb. 12, 2016 in a 3-3 with UAH.
After Huntsville scored its two goals, the Mavericks had to kill off their own five minute major, a checking-from-behind penalty on Clint Lewis, as well as a minor on Carter Foguth in game’s the final minute.
Minnesota State (13-7-2, 9-5-2 in WCHA) is now in a tie for third place in the conference standings with Bowling Green, whom it will host in Mankato on Friday and Saturday.
A more detailed version of this story that includes comments from coach Mike Hastings can be found here.
Friday, January 6, 2017
Mavericks 3, Chargers 0
Junior goaltender Aaron Nelson made his long-awaited collegiate debut on Friday night for the Minnesota State men's hockey team, and made it count.
Nelson, who has served as a third-string goalie for 2 1/2 seasons, stopped all 18 shots he faced in his first regular-season action, shutting out Alabama Huntsville 3-0 in a WCHA game in Huntsville, Alabama.
Brad McClure scored two goals for the No. 19 Mavericks, who outshot the Chargers 33-18.
Minnesota State came into the weekend tied for fourth place in the league standings with Huntsville. With senior Cole Huggins and sophomore Jason Pawloski combining for a .860 save percentage in the Mavericks' last six games — they went 3-3-0 in that stretch — coach Mike Hastings opted to finally give Nelson a shot between the posts.
Nelson was busiest in second period when he stopped nine shots.
The Mavericks took a 1-0 lead at 6:11 of the first period on a goal by McClure. The team's and conference's scorer, freshman Marc Michaelis, picked up his 17th assist and 27th point of the season on the play, and C.J. Franklin also assisted.
Minnesota State clung to the slim lead until 3:27 remained in the second period when freshman Parker Tuomie scored from Max Coatta. It was Tuomie's fourth goal of the year.
McClure sealed the victory with 2:18 remaining in the game, scoring his 10th goal of the season in an empty net.
A more detailed version of this story, including comments from coach Mike Hastings can be found here.
Nelson, who has served as a third-string goalie for 2 1/2 seasons, stopped all 18 shots he faced in his first regular-season action, shutting out Alabama Huntsville 3-0 in a WCHA game in Huntsville, Alabama.
Brad McClure scored two goals for the No. 19 Mavericks, who outshot the Chargers 33-18.
Minnesota State came into the weekend tied for fourth place in the league standings with Huntsville. With senior Cole Huggins and sophomore Jason Pawloski combining for a .860 save percentage in the Mavericks' last six games — they went 3-3-0 in that stretch — coach Mike Hastings opted to finally give Nelson a shot between the posts.
Nelson was busiest in second period when he stopped nine shots.
The Mavericks took a 1-0 lead at 6:11 of the first period on a goal by McClure. The team's and conference's scorer, freshman Marc Michaelis, picked up his 17th assist and 27th point of the season on the play, and C.J. Franklin also assisted.
Minnesota State clung to the slim lead until 3:27 remained in the second period when freshman Parker Tuomie scored from Max Coatta. It was Tuomie's fourth goal of the year.
McClure sealed the victory with 2:18 remaining in the game, scoring his 10th goal of the season in an empty net.
A more detailed version of this story, including comments from coach Mike Hastings can be found here.
Friday Morning Skate
The Skate is back ... finally!
It's been three weeks, but Minnesota State will be back in action tonight when it faces Alabama Huntsville to kick off the second half of its league schedule. These will be the fifth and sixth consecutive road games for the Mavericks. They have split every road series so far this season.
At fourth place in the WCHA and in the 28th spot in the Pairwise Rankings (but who's really counting? ... well, everybody), Minnesota State is hoping to make a strong second-half push, as they've done so often over the last four seasons under coach Mike Hastings.
In order to do that, MSU will have to become a more consistent team. They went 3-3-0 in December, but it was a roller coaster ride. Freshman forward Marc Michaelis had a fabulous month, but the Mavericks' goaltenders did not. Their .860 save percentage over that time could mean third-stringer Aaron Nelson is closer to making his long-awaited debut? Could it happen this weekend? He is on the trip.
The Mavericks, who skated on Thursday at the Predators' practice facility in Nashville (the cities are about two hours apart) are in better shape post-break than they were pre-break, especially on defense where senior Carter Foguth is expected to be back. He missed the Mavericks last two games and five of the last nine with a lower-body injury.
Read more about the series in the College Hockey Gameday.
Going around the WCHA ...
Bemidji State's road trip is off to a good start. After splitting a series last week a Alaska Anchorage, the first-place Beavers won Thursday at Bowling Green. They'll try to make it 3 out of 4 on the road tonight against the Falcons, who are facing a tough schedule to start January (they'll be in Mankato next week).
In the U.P., Northern Michigan and Lake Superior State will play each other in the first of back-to-back, home-and-home series. It's an odd schedule, one that came as a result of some adjustments to accommodate the WCHA's new playoff format. Since Nov. 5, the two teams have a combined three wins, two ties and a whole lot of losses.
In the other league series, Ferris State goes to Alaska Anchorage where the Seawolves are showing some improvement, thanks to goaltender Olivier Mantha. Bulldogs goalie Justin Kapelmaster is coming off an impressive 58-save performance in a 1-1 tie with Boston College.
Michigan Tech will try to improve on the WCHA's rough nonconference record when it plays at Notre Dame. The Huskies have lost twice since Nov. 5, once was last weekend in the finals of the Great Lakes Invitational.
Read more about the WCHA in this week's USCHO column.
It's been three weeks, but Minnesota State will be back in action tonight when it faces Alabama Huntsville to kick off the second half of its league schedule. These will be the fifth and sixth consecutive road games for the Mavericks. They have split every road series so far this season.
At fourth place in the WCHA and in the 28th spot in the Pairwise Rankings (but who's really counting? ... well, everybody), Minnesota State is hoping to make a strong second-half push, as they've done so often over the last four seasons under coach Mike Hastings.
In order to do that, MSU will have to become a more consistent team. They went 3-3-0 in December, but it was a roller coaster ride. Freshman forward Marc Michaelis had a fabulous month, but the Mavericks' goaltenders did not. Their .860 save percentage over that time could mean third-stringer Aaron Nelson is closer to making his long-awaited debut? Could it happen this weekend? He is on the trip.
The Mavericks, who skated on Thursday at the Predators' practice facility in Nashville (the cities are about two hours apart) are in better shape post-break than they were pre-break, especially on defense where senior Carter Foguth is expected to be back. He missed the Mavericks last two games and five of the last nine with a lower-body injury.
Read more about the series in the College Hockey Gameday.
Going around the WCHA ...
Bemidji State's road trip is off to a good start. After splitting a series last week a Alaska Anchorage, the first-place Beavers won Thursday at Bowling Green. They'll try to make it 3 out of 4 on the road tonight against the Falcons, who are facing a tough schedule to start January (they'll be in Mankato next week).
In the U.P., Northern Michigan and Lake Superior State will play each other in the first of back-to-back, home-and-home series. It's an odd schedule, one that came as a result of some adjustments to accommodate the WCHA's new playoff format. Since Nov. 5, the two teams have a combined three wins, two ties and a whole lot of losses.
In the other league series, Ferris State goes to Alaska Anchorage where the Seawolves are showing some improvement, thanks to goaltender Olivier Mantha. Bulldogs goalie Justin Kapelmaster is coming off an impressive 58-save performance in a 1-1 tie with Boston College.
Michigan Tech will try to improve on the WCHA's rough nonconference record when it plays at Notre Dame. The Huskies have lost twice since Nov. 5, once was last weekend in the finals of the Great Lakes Invitational.
Read more about the WCHA in this week's USCHO column.
Thursday, January 5, 2017
More awards for Michaelis, Mavericks
Marc Michaelis, Minnesota State's fantastic rookie forward, received more honors for his outstanding play in December, getting named the national rookie of the month by the Hockey Commissioners Association. The award is given to one of the rookies of the month from each of college hockey's six conferences (WCHA, NCHC, Big Ten, Hockey East, ECAC, Atlantic Hockey).
Down the hall from Michaelis and the MSU men's team, Minnesota State women's player Megan Hinze was named the WCHA's defensive player of the month for her December performance. The sophomore defenseman. She had the game-tying and game-winning goals in the Mavericks' 2-1 upset over third-ranked Minnesota Duluth on Dec. 10. She also blocked 13 shots in six games and was plus-1.
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