Freddy's three thoughts (from afar):
1. Road work: Time to start thinking about Minnesota State's best performances on the road after this sweep at No. 2 Boston University. It is early in the season, but, if the Mavericks get where they want to get at the end of the year, these games definitely will be a factor, especially if the Terriers bounce back from these losses and do what's expected of them. The first MSU road sweep that comes to mind is the 2014 series at Michigan Tech. The Huskies were 10-0-0 and No. 1 in the country at the time. I'll dig deeper for a future blog post. Any thoughts on this, dear readers?
2. Pawloski shines: Connor LaCouvee got the win against his old team on Friday night, but Mike Hastings went with Jason Pawloski on Saturday. Pawloski stopped 26 shots, including 12 in the first period when the Mavericks also had to kill off three penalties, for the shutout victory. That wasn't necessarily the plan going into the weekend, but, being early in the season, Hastings said it is important that both goalies get work. He added that both had good weeks in practice working with volunteer goalie coach Brennan Poderzay. Hastings also had praise for strength coach Tom Inkrott for what he did to help the team get through the weekend.
3. Please come to Boston: Watching online from Mankato, one could hear the MSU fans cheering goals and other plays. Hastings figured there were 100 or more people there rooting for the Mavericks. “The MSU contingent that traveled and came out and supported us, they were phenomenal,” Hastings said. “We’re very appreciative of the fans who stepped up and spent some money to come out and see us play in Boston. That is something special.” Those fans certainly got to see a special performance.
Read more here.
Around the WCHA: Michigan State 3, Bowling Green 2 ... Northern Michigan 1, Ferris State 0 ... Michigan Tech 2, Lake Superior State 2 (Tech wins shootout) ... St. Cloud State 5, Alaska 4 (OT) ... Bemidji State 0, Minnesota Duluth 0 ... Colorado College 3, Alaska Anchorage 2
Saturday, October 14, 2017
Mavericks 6, Terriers 3
Freddy's three thoughts (from afar):
1. Brickley's big night: Daniel Brickley had an outstanding game for the Mavericks. The junior defenseman finished with a goal and three assists and was plus-2 against the second-ranked Terriers. Actually, MSU's defensemen were all solid, finishing with 11 of their team's 45 shots and a combined +6. No one was a minus. Sophomore D Ian Scheid and freshman Riese Zmolek also scored goals.
2. Welcome back, Connor: Connor LaCouvee got the start in goal, his first as a Maverick. But it wasn't the first time he played a game at Agganis Arena. After playing three seasons at BU, LaCouvee transferred to MSU as a graduate for his final year of eligibility. He beat his old team, making 32 saves on 35 shots. "Connor is a mature young man," coach Mike Hastings said. "He handled it well, after being put in that building and being asked to do some special things."
3. Young fellas: A few freshmen got their first career points in the game. Jared Spooner scored MSU's sixth goal, which gave the team a three-goal cushion midway through the third period. Zmolek scored his first goal, and Jake Jaremko had his first assist, a faceoff win on a power play that led to Scheid's goal and a 4-2 lead early in the second period.
Read my Free Press story here. And something from someone who was actually there here.
Around the WCHA: Northern Michigan 3, Ferris State 2 ... Michigan Tech 4, Lake Superior State 3 ... Bowling Green 4, Michigan State 1 ... Bemidji State 5, Minnesota Duluth 2 ... St. Cloud State 6, Alaska 3 ... Colorado College 6, Alaska Anchorage 1 (WCHA teams go 3-2 in nonconference play).
1. Brickley's big night: Daniel Brickley had an outstanding game for the Mavericks. The junior defenseman finished with a goal and three assists and was plus-2 against the second-ranked Terriers. Actually, MSU's defensemen were all solid, finishing with 11 of their team's 45 shots and a combined +6. No one was a minus. Sophomore D Ian Scheid and freshman Riese Zmolek also scored goals.
2. Welcome back, Connor: Connor LaCouvee got the start in goal, his first as a Maverick. But it wasn't the first time he played a game at Agganis Arena. After playing three seasons at BU, LaCouvee transferred to MSU as a graduate for his final year of eligibility. He beat his old team, making 32 saves on 35 shots. "Connor is a mature young man," coach Mike Hastings said. "He handled it well, after being put in that building and being asked to do some special things."
3. Young fellas: A few freshmen got their first career points in the game. Jared Spooner scored MSU's sixth goal, which gave the team a three-goal cushion midway through the third period. Zmolek scored his first goal, and Jake Jaremko had his first assist, a faceoff win on a power play that led to Scheid's goal and a 4-2 lead early in the second period.
Read my Free Press story here. And something from someone who was actually there here.
Around the WCHA: Northern Michigan 3, Ferris State 2 ... Michigan Tech 4, Lake Superior State 3 ... Bowling Green 4, Michigan State 1 ... Bemidji State 5, Minnesota Duluth 2 ... St. Cloud State 6, Alaska 3 ... Colorado College 6, Alaska Anchorage 1 (WCHA teams go 3-2 in nonconference play).
Friday, October 13, 2017
Friday Morning Skate
The Mavericks are in Boston today and Saturday to take on No. 2-ranked Boston University for the first time ever. There is a little familiarity as coaches Mike Hastings and David Quinn know each other well, going back to their Omaha days. Also, MSU's newest goaltender, grad-transfer Connor LaCouvee came over from BU.
Hastings said he wants to maintain a challenging schedule for his team, playing teams like the Terriers. BU will come to Mankato next year, and North Dakota will be back on the schedule then, too, as MSU will travel to Grand Forks.
Read more about Minnesota State's series against Boston University here.
MSU shot a video preview with Hastings following the team's practice Thursday in Boston.
Also, in case you missed it on Thursday, here's a breakdown of Hastings' contract with Minnesota State.
Elsewhere in the WCHA this weekend ...
Northern Michigan and Ferris State kick off the conference schedule with a series in Big Rapids, Mich., and No. 15 Michigan Tech and Lake Superior State will do the same in Sault Ste. Marie.
Bowling Green and Michigan State will play a home and home series, with the Falcons hosting tonight. The series renews an old CCHA rivalry.
Bemidji State and No. 5 Minnesota Duluth will play home and home, starting tonight in Bemidji where the Beavers will play their first game of the season. I'm not sure if this is some kind of record, but the P-word (Pairwise) is already being mentioned in Duluth.
In a couple more WCHA-NCHC matchups, Alaska will play a series at No. 6 St. Cloud State where it expects a tough test, and Alaska Anchorage will go to Colorado College for two games.
Hastings said he wants to maintain a challenging schedule for his team, playing teams like the Terriers. BU will come to Mankato next year, and North Dakota will be back on the schedule then, too, as MSU will travel to Grand Forks.
Read more about Minnesota State's series against Boston University here.
MSU shot a video preview with Hastings following the team's practice Thursday in Boston.
Also, in case you missed it on Thursday, here's a breakdown of Hastings' contract with Minnesota State.
Elsewhere in the WCHA this weekend ...
Northern Michigan and Ferris State kick off the conference schedule with a series in Big Rapids, Mich., and No. 15 Michigan Tech and Lake Superior State will do the same in Sault Ste. Marie.
Bowling Green and Michigan State will play a home and home series, with the Falcons hosting tonight. The series renews an old CCHA rivalry.
Bemidji State and No. 5 Minnesota Duluth will play home and home, starting tonight in Bemidji where the Beavers will play their first game of the season. I'm not sure if this is some kind of record, but the P-word (Pairwise) is already being mentioned in Duluth.
In a couple more WCHA-NCHC matchups, Alaska will play a series at No. 6 St. Cloud State where it expects a tough test, and Alaska Anchorage will go to Colorado College for two games.
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Contract shows MSU's commitment to hockey, Hastings
The long-term deal was an impressive proposal to make sure Hastings remained in Mankato. The contract also included a raise to more than $335,000 as well as promises to enhance other areas of the program, including cost-of-attendance stipends for the players, raises for assistant coaches and bigger budgets for team travel and recruiting.
For more on the contract, read my Free Press story here.
Hastings was hired by Minnesota State in 2012 and got a salary of $225,000. That was raised to $290,000 in 2015 when he received a new, eight-year deal.
"We think he's the best coach in the country," MSU president Richard Davenport said.
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Crowd size grows; Mavs out of poll
There's gotta be a Sean Spicer joke here somewhere, right? ...
Minnesota State re-examined the numbers from Saturday night and determined that the official attendance was 5,406, the second-largest crowed in program history. During the game, it was announced at 5,030, the 17th-largest crowd.
Either way, it seemed 5,000-plus turned out to be too many for the Verizon Center's security to handle. The hope is those bugs will be figured out by the time Minnesota State returns from its four-game road swing. Same with the Mavericks' scoring.
Meanwhile, Minnesota State dropped out of the USCHO rankings following the 4-0 loss to St. Cloud State. The Mavericks were No. 18 and are now just receiving votes.
Minnesota State re-examined the numbers from Saturday night and determined that the official attendance was 5,406, the second-largest crowed in program history. During the game, it was announced at 5,030, the 17th-largest crowd.
@MavHockey top 5 crowds:— Shane Frederick (@puckato) October 9, 2017
1. MTU 2/28/15 5,446 W
2. SCSU 10/7/17 5,406 L
3. UMD 10/18/14 5,375 L
4. UM 1/30/09 5,201 W
5. UM 11/9/07 5,196 L
Either way, it seemed 5,000-plus turned out to be too many for the Verizon Center's security to handle. The hope is those bugs will be figured out by the time Minnesota State returns from its four-game road swing. Same with the Mavericks' scoring.
Meanwhile, Minnesota State dropped out of the USCHO rankings following the 4-0 loss to St. Cloud State. The Mavericks were No. 18 and are now just receiving votes.
Saturday, October 7, 2017
Huskies 4, Mavericks 0
Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...
1. No finish: The Mavericks returned plenty of fire power from last season but were unable to score in their regular-season and home opener. The put 42 shots on net, but it didn't seem like St. Cloud State goalie Jeff Smith had to make too many highlight-reels saves. Maybe one or two, but otherwise he was in good position all night and didn't give up any second or third opportunities. "We have to be harder in front of the net," junior captain Max Coatta said.
2. Silver lining: While the lack of scoring was troublesome, there were a few bright spots, especially the play of sophomore forward Charlie Gerard, who played with great energy and led the Mavericks with eight shots on goal. Two other sophomores stood out, too: forward Parker Tuomie and defenseman Ian Scheid, who had 11 combined shots. Did anyone stand out as much as St. Cloud State defenseman Jimmy Schuldt, though? No. He had the game's first goal and was plus-4.
3. Long lines: It was the season-opener, one of the Mavericks' biggest in-state rivals was in town and there was a Hockey Night in Mankato event until 7 p.m. outside. Add those things to the Verizon Center's new security protocol, and there was a long wait to get into the building. It took half, if not more of the first period for everyone to get in. Fans were venting both online and in the arena. That's something that's going to have to get fixed before the next home games in three weeks, especially if they want to continue to have big crowds.
Read my gamer here.
Around the WCHA: Notre Dame 4, Alabama Huntsville 0 ... Ferris State 3, Western Michigan 2 ... Northern Michigan 4, Lake Superior State 1, Michigan Tech 4, Minnesota Duluth 3 ... North Dakota at Alaska Anchorage (late), Air Force at Alaska (late)
1. No finish: The Mavericks returned plenty of fire power from last season but were unable to score in their regular-season and home opener. The put 42 shots on net, but it didn't seem like St. Cloud State goalie Jeff Smith had to make too many highlight-reels saves. Maybe one or two, but otherwise he was in good position all night and didn't give up any second or third opportunities. "We have to be harder in front of the net," junior captain Max Coatta said.
2. Silver lining: While the lack of scoring was troublesome, there were a few bright spots, especially the play of sophomore forward Charlie Gerard, who played with great energy and led the Mavericks with eight shots on goal. Two other sophomores stood out, too: forward Parker Tuomie and defenseman Ian Scheid, who had 11 combined shots. Did anyone stand out as much as St. Cloud State defenseman Jimmy Schuldt, though? No. He had the game's first goal and was plus-4.
3. Long lines: It was the season-opener, one of the Mavericks' biggest in-state rivals was in town and there was a Hockey Night in Mankato event until 7 p.m. outside. Add those things to the Verizon Center's new security protocol, and there was a long wait to get into the building. It took half, if not more of the first period for everyone to get in. Fans were venting both online and in the arena. That's something that's going to have to get fixed before the next home games in three weeks, especially if they want to continue to have big crowds.
Read my gamer here.
Around the WCHA: Notre Dame 4, Alabama Huntsville 0 ... Ferris State 3, Western Michigan 2 ... Northern Michigan 4, Lake Superior State 1, Michigan Tech 4, Minnesota Duluth 3 ... North Dakota at Alaska Anchorage (late), Air Force at Alaska (late)
Live coverage: MSU vs. St. Cloud State
Minnesota State and St. Cloud State will face off at 7:07 p.m. today at the Verizon Center. The live chat/Twitter feed can be found below tonight's lines:
MINNESOTA STATE
20-Michaelis, 15-Suess, 19-McClure
6-Tuomie, 5-Jaremko, 10-Knutson
9-Gerard, 26-French, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 11-Spooner, 27-Schwalbe
8-Brickley, 18-Scheid
4-Lewis, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 2-Mackey
39-Pawloski
37-LaCouvee
29-Nelson
Scratches: Bigelbach, Cooper, Duehr, Gerads, Hookenson, Lutz, Vanko
ST. CLOUD STATE
21-Wahlin, 28-Fitzgerald, 26-Brodzinski
3-J. Poehling, 18-Peterson, 7-N. Poehling
23-Jackson, 11-R. Poehling, 17-Benson
42-Winiecki, 27-B. Lizotte, 14-Newell
22-Schuldt, 10-J. Lizotte
12-Ahcan, 20-Borgen
55-Ilvonen, 2-Kuster
1-Smith
34-Hrenak
MINNESOTA STATE
20-Michaelis, 15-Suess, 19-McClure
6-Tuomie, 5-Jaremko, 10-Knutson
9-Gerard, 26-French, 12-Coatta
23-Rivera, 11-Spooner, 27-Schwalbe
8-Brickley, 18-Scheid
4-Lewis, 3-McNeely
25-Zmolek, 2-Mackey
39-Pawloski
37-LaCouvee
29-Nelson
Scratches: Bigelbach, Cooper, Duehr, Gerads, Hookenson, Lutz, Vanko
ST. CLOUD STATE
21-Wahlin, 28-Fitzgerald, 26-Brodzinski
3-J. Poehling, 18-Peterson, 7-N. Poehling
23-Jackson, 11-R. Poehling, 17-Benson
42-Winiecki, 27-B. Lizotte, 14-Newell
22-Schuldt, 10-J. Lizotte
12-Ahcan, 20-Borgen
55-Ilvonen, 2-Kuster
1-Smith
34-Hrenak
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