Week 4: Minnesota State vs. Minnesota

Just 27 hours shy of the Mavericks first home game of the season, Mankato is buzzing.

As I was entering Alltel Center today for practice, one woman stepped to the ticket window inquiring about tickets for the game tomorrow. She was told none were available — not even standing room.

Its been a long time since a Mavericks game has been sold out more than a day out from the game. It is possible that MSU could approach the attendance record of 5,182 set in 2003 against North Dakota. The game will surely draw more than the 3,803 people MSU averaged last season.

The Mavericks line-up is almost set — head coach Troy Jutting is waiting on the health of one defenseman, Ben Youds. Youds has a lower body injury and his status will not be known until after tomorrow's morning skate.

As I noted in my article today, Jutting has again made some minor tweaks to his lines. Here is his plan as of Thursday afternoon:

FORWARDS
Jon Kalinski-Trevor Bruess-Mick Berge
Kael Mouillierat-Rylan Galiardi-Joel Hanson
James Gaulrapp-Zach Harrison-Jerad Stewart
Geoff Irwin-Andy Sackrison-Jason Wiley


DEFENSEMEN
Kurt Davis-Brian Kilburg
Blake Friesen-Nick Canzanello
R.J. Linder-Youds or Channing Boe

GOALTENDER
Mike Zacharias

Neither Jutting nor Galiardi are too worried about his move from wing to center — Galiardi played center for three seasons in Alexandria of the North American Hockey League.

"I was just getting used to playing wing," Galiardi said.

Mouillierat will also mix in at center on that line. The job for that line this weekend?

"Get Hanny going," Galiardi said. "And play well in our end."

Hanson is the only remaining offensive regular without a single point this season, but as Jutting said earlier this week, when he gets going, he scores goals and points in bunches. Is there a better weekend to crack the scoring sheet?

The home-and-home aspect of the series shouldn't present too many problems. MSU went through it for the first time last season against St. Cloud and had some success.

"It's not that long of a trip, so it's not too bad," Zacharias said. "I like it when you can play two at home and two at their place, I think it creates more of a rivalry that way. But now both cities will get to see both teams this season, so that will be fun."

Zacharias will be the biggest key for both teams this weekend — if he continues to play well, there is no reason the Mavericks can't win at least one game over a struggling Gopher squad.

PREDICTION

I have been going back and forth on this all week. Will Minnesota come out looking to silence the critics? Or are they just not that good right now? Can MSU continue to produce offense? How long can Zacharias go before allowing a goal? When he does, how will he respond?

I'll take the easy way out and predict a split. Both teams will take care of business on home-ice. Mavericks win Friday 4-2, Gophers win Saturday 3-1.

WCHA PREDICTIONS

NORTH DAKOTA AT WISCONSIN: SPLIT
In what amounts to the series of the weekend, I see each team winning a game. Both teams can score. Both teams can defend. Both games will be close, with North Dakota winning Friday and the Badgers salvaging the split Saturday at the Kohl Center.

ST. CLOUD STATE AT MICHIGAN TECH: MICHIGAN TECH SWEEP
In a battle of the Huskies, I see four points going to the home team. I am of the belief that Michigan Tech is on a mission after so many in the media (myself included) doubted the validity of this team. But MTU has swept MSU and split with UND and Wisconsin so far this season. I think St. Cloud State is very similar to Minnesota State (as far as how I see both teams finishing), thus, Tech takes both games at home. I'd give SCSU a game if this series were being played in St. Cloud.

MINNESOTA-DULUTH AT COLORADO COLLEGE: SPLIT
This would be a pretty good weekend for UMD. Colorado Springs is a tough place to play — just ask the Gophers. CC has been on the road for consecutive weekends against two of the best teams in the country. The letdown factor may be there Friday, as I see the 'Dogs winning tomorrow. CC will respond with an inspired victory Saturday and win going away.

Again, check in during the Minnesota State-Minnesota games all weekend. I will be in the press box at Alltel Center and Mariucci Arena providing in-game updates, analysis and opinions. Feel free to chime in. Thanks for reading!