Minnesota State will look to rebound this weekend after a disappointing opening series at Michigan Tech. Be sure to check out my exclusive blog story one post below this one on Troy Jutting’s new penalty policy. In my column today, I discuss some possible reasons for the Mavericks traditional slow starts over the years.
This is the weekend where we should get a good idea how good of a team the Mavericks can be, for a couple reasons:
First, Jutting said this week that a team typically makes its biggest improvement from its first weekend to its second weekend.
Second, the Mavericks will be playing on Olympic ice against No. 20 Alaska-Anchorage. Few people will doubt the fact that Minnesota State was the better skating team of the two that met in Houghton last weekend. But Tech plays on the smaller sheet, which combined with their style of play, can stifle any team’s offense.
There will also be some line-up adjustments.
Freshman forward Mike Louwerse traveled last weekend and played Friday night. Matt Tyree filled in for him Saturday because Louwerse was “sore.” Understandable, considering it was his first career game. Also, Louwerse isn’t the biggest player on the Mavericks roster. Eventually he will adjust.
The main reason Louwerse isn’t going to Anchorage, however, is a groin injury that limited him all week. Taking his place will be fellow freshman Brett Peterson.
Peterson will play Friday on the fourth line with Zach Harrison and Rylan Galiardi.
“I’m pretty pumped,” Peterson said. “I just want to go up there and work my tail off and do everything I can to help the team.”
Peterson describes himself as a big power forward, and he’s right. He is four inches taller than Louwerse and outweighs him by about 40 pounds.
Louwerse played high school hockey last season at Blake while Peterson played 56 games with Indiana of the United States Hockey League, which could help him be better prepared physically if Jutting decides to use him Saturday, too.
“I like to use my body and use my size to create some trouble in front of the net,” Peterson said. “Being in front of the net and battling in the corners — I think that’s my specialty.”
Peterson is not as skilled as Louwerse in the scoring department, but their styles of play are also completely different. If Harrison and Galiardi as well as the MSU defense can get pucks on net, Peterson will have opportunities to clean up rebounds.
As Tree Lane once said in the movie Mystery, Alaska, “every team needs a thumper.” Peterson just might fit the bill.
OTHER NOTES:
• Tyree and Blake Friesen will not play Friday because of penalties they took during the third period Saturday at Tech. Peterson and freshman Channing Boe will take their places in the line-up.
• Jutting said Mike Zacharias will start in net Friday. When asked if Dan Tormey will start Saturday, Jutting said “We’ll see how it goes Friday.” He did, however, mention to expect the same as last weekend; meaning Tormey should be the man for game two.
• Jutting said he was also pleased with the Maverick PK units last weekend, which allowed three goals on the weekend. Those numbers may be a bit misleading, though. Two of the three goals came while Tech was on 5-on-3 advantages.
“One 5-on-4 goal in about 10 chances? If we do that all year long, we’ll be in good shape,” Jutting said.
• Eight WCHA teams (all but MSU and SCSU) are ranked in this week’s USCHO.com/CSTV national poll. SCSU was one of the teams receiving votes, but the Mavericks were not. When asked if he felt disrespected, senior Joel Hanson laughed.
“We’re 0-2,” Hanson said. “It is what it is. Look at it how you want to.”
PREDICTION
I was dead wrong on almost all of my predictions last weekend, which was a bit disheartening. I’ll give it another shot though… These teams met twice last season, and split both times. UAA has never had a great amount of success against the Mavericks — MSU took at least three points in each of the four previous series prior to last season.
With that in mind, I say split — MSU wins 4-2 Friday, UAA wins 3-2 Saturday. Jon Kalinski will find the net at least once this weekend, as he will likely be the best player on the ice for the second consecutive weekend.
WCHA PREDICTIONS
No. 17 Minnesota-Duluth was the benefactor of a surprise sweep last weekend against St. Cloud State. It probably won’t happen again this weekend when the Bulldogs travel to the Rocky Mountains to face Denver. DU wins 4-1 Friday and 3-0 Saturday.
No. 1 North Dakota showed why they are the best team in the nation last weekend: they are great in every facet of the game. MSU found out last weekend that Houghton is not the easiest place to play. MSU is not UND, however. The Fighting Sioux will sweep No. 14 Michigan Tech — winning 5-2 Friday, and 3-1 Saturday.
No. 10 Minnesota hosts CCHA foe No. 19 Ohio State at Mariucci Arena. Both teams were swept in conference action last weekend (UM by Colorado College and OSU by Miami). Look for the Gophers to get back on track and sweep the Buckeyes 6-3 Friday and 4-2 Saturday.
Bemidji State always seems to play inspired hockey against foes from the state of Minnesota. They will split with St. Cloud State, as the Huskies win Friday 2-1. Bemidji will respond with a 3-1 win Saturday.
In the series of the weekend, No. 4 Colorado College travels to No. 7 New Hampshire. The Tigers are coming off an emotional sweep of the Gophers and will travel cross-country to play a UNH team with only one game under their belt (a 4-1 win over Boston University last Friday). CC will ride their momentum to a 3-2 win Friday before the Wildcats salvage a split with a 4-3 win Saturday.
Enjoy the games, and thanks for reading!
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6 comments:
I'd have to say I Like the previews for this week. I think they seem pretty accurate. I do think ND is going to dominate the league this year. I also think the Gophers really need to pick up there game, however, I'm watching the game now and they are looking pretty decent. Okposo definately needs to pick up his game; definatley not living up to the standard he has to be at. I like the play I've seen out of Fairchild as well.
Thanks for continuously updating this blog. It's a great blog and I will spread the word to all of my friends!
Good Look and Content, however difficult to read on blue background, juts my thoughts
What do people think about splitting Zacharias and Tormey?
I like the decision by Lucia to sit Frazee tonight. Freshmen goalkeeper looked great!
I'm a firm beliver of "if it ain't broke don't fix it, and right now Zacharias is playing very well between the pipes. You can see the confidence building with each game.
I 100% agree with you Joe. You go with the person who is playing well at the time; no point in spliting it up or breaking it apart when things are going good. Stick with Zacharias as long as things are good!
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