PairWise Drop...

Minnesota State dropped four spots and is currently tied for 11th in the PairWise Rankings after its 4-2 home loss to Nebraska-Omaha. It was evident that MSU had been off for a week, and hopefully the loss got all of the bad out of their system as they head to Colorado College for a big series where they will need to play very well.

Nebraska-Omaha at #9 MSU IN GAME

No scoring in the period, but each team had flashes of dominance. MSU probably had better scoring chances, but as far as possession is concerned it was fairly close. The only penalty in the period was taken by UNO. Geoff Irwin and Mick Berge each hit the post, solidly I might add, in the period.

1st Period Scoring Summary
No Scoring

MSU managed to get a huge goal from Joel Hanson with five seconds remaining to cut the lead to one heading into the locker room. UNO got two power-play goals on their five minute power play when MSU's Trevor Bruess was given the major for kneeing. Nebraska-Omaha had the majority of the scoring chances in the period with Zacharias standing on his head to make some marvelous saves to keep MSU in the game. Minnesota State will have to play much better in the third period to avoid the upset here tonight.

2nd Period Scoring Summary
2:11 - Ambroz (Goulet, Martin) PPG 1-0 UNO
4:07 - Goulet (Koehler) PPG 2-0 UNO
19:54 - Hanson (Irwin, Sackrison) PPG 2-1 UNO

The late goal from Hanson did not give MSU any life as they went on to lose the game 4-2. UNO played as if they were the team with something to lose. This is a tough one for the Mavericks as the disappointing effort tonight makes things harder for them in the Pairwise rankings as the season winds down. MSU travels to Colorado College this weekend to take on the league-leading Tigers. They will surely need to play much better.

3rd Period Scoring Summary
9:24 - Lawrence (Fanto, Von Bokern) 3-1 UNO
18:37 - Berge (Davis, Kalinski) 3-2 UNO
19:49 - Koehler (unassisted) EN 4-2 UNO

Nebraska-Omaha at #9 MSU PRE GAME

The ninth-ranked Mavericks are set to take the ice in about 20 minutes here against some other Mavericks, these ones coming from Omaha, Nebraska. The last time these two teams met, it was UNO coming away with the 6-3 victory over an MSU team that was stricken by illness. MSU is undoubtedly a different team than they were when they faced UNO in Omaha, and hopefully we will see a different outcome. MSU cannot afford to take a night off, because while this is a non-conference match up, a loss here could really hurt Minnesota State in the pairwise rankings, where they currently sit tied for seventh place.

Here are the starting line-ups, with starters in italics.

MINNESOTA STATE
Kalinski-Harrison-Berge
Hanson-Bruess-Mouillierat
Irwin-Sackrison-Wiley
Galiardi-Gunderson-Stewart

Davis-Kilburg
Youds-Friesen
Canzanello-Boe

Zacharias
Tormey
Lee

NEBRASKA-OMAHA
Scero-Martin-Lawrence
Charleston-Platisha-Klempa
Fanto-Agosta-Ambroz
Koehler-Bargon-Swanson

Del Grosso-Bernier
Uotila-Phillippi
Von Bokern-Goulet

Dupont
Aarnio
Kaufmann

Top 10...

The Mavericks moved up two more spots in this week's USCHO/CSTV top-20 rankings, coming in at #9. MSU was idle last weekend, but host Nebraska-Omaha tomorrow (Tuesday) before traveling to league-leading Colorado College this weekend. Wisconsin managed to only get one point in their series with Minnesota last weekend, putting them one point ahead of MSU with two more games played. The Mavericks are tied with St. Cloud State for fifth place. MSU will have a tough test at CC, but should have a good showing at home against Michigan Tech to finish out the regular season. A lot will happen to shuffle up the standings in the next two weeks, but MSU is in good position for contention for home ice advantage with St. Cloud and Wisconsin each having two tough series left, one in which they play each other.

Slow Climb...

Minnesota State climbed to #11 is this week's USCHO/CSTV top-20 rankings after splitting with #10 Wisconsin, winning 3-0 before losing 4-2. The Mavs stunned the sellout crowd on Friday by taking control of the game right out of the gate, but a flurry of second-period goals for Wisconsin ended the Mavericks' school record seven-game winning streak on Saturday. MSU is off this weekend before hosting Nebraska-Omaha on Feb. 26. The puck drops at 7:37 p.m. at Alltel Center.

Going up...

After completing a sweep of Alaska-Anchorage at home this past weekend, the Mavericks have jumped to #13 in this week's USCHO/CSTV top-20 rankings. They were ranked 15th last week. In the pairwise rankings-the ranking system that mimics the system used by the NCAA selection committee in choosing the national tournament field at the end of the year-the Mavericks are tied for 8th with Minnesota-Duluth. The sweep this last weekend sets up a showdown between MSU and 10th-ranked Wisconsin, who are tied for fourth place in the WCHA standings. It's a huge series, in an incredibly tough place to play (Kohl Center), but the Mavericks are on fire and are proving that they are indeed a very good team. If they keep playing this way, and they certainly can, the opposition is in a lot of trouble. It will be a good test for the Mavericks this weekend in Madison.

Game 2: Alaska-Anchorage at #15 MSU IN GAME

MSU leads 1-0 after one in a game that has much more flow to it tonight. The Mavericks outshot the Seawolves 16-6 as that is a good indication as to who had most of the chances in the opening frame. Zach Harrison put the Mavericks on the board with a nice individual effort when he snuck one low past the UAA goaltender on the far side. The shot, which came from the right circle, hit the post and went in. MSU will start the second with 1:08 of power-play time.

1st Period Scoring Summary
17:37 - Harrison (Irwin) 1-0 MSU

The second period was another solid stint for the Mavericks as they are now outshooting the Seawolves 30-11. Mick Berge put MSU up by two when Jon Kalinski slid the puck to him wide open behind the UAA defense and me made a nice play tucking the puck between the pads of Seawolves' goaltender Bryce Christianson.

2nd Period Scoring Summary
2:59 - Berge (Kalinski, Friesen) 2-0 MSU

The Mavericks got a much-needed sweep and had control for most of the game. Kael Mouillierat scored two consecutive goals as the Mavericks won 4-2. The Seawolves scored two power-play goals and found themselves on another power play shortly after but MSU was able to kill it off.

3rd Period Scoring Summary
4:24 - Mouillierat (Hanson, Youds) 3-0 MSU
6:47 - Mouillierat (Linder, Bruess) 4-0 MSU
8:16 - Parkinson (Tassone) 4-1 MSU
10:05 - Lunden (Vidmar, Waldrop) PPG 4-2 MSU

Game 2: Alaska-Anchorage at #15 MSU PRE GAME

Internet troubles have been the theme here as far as my job is concerned here at Alltel Center, so I will try my best again to keep the in game stats as up-to-date as possible. The Mavericks won last night, and quite honestly, it was a boring game where neither team played very well. Coach Jutting was not happy with his team's effort last night, and you can rest assured that both teams will come out harder tonight. Three points will not do the job this weekend, the Mavs must win tonight to get a four-point weekend and continue to put pressure on UMD and Wisconsin.

Starting line-ups are as follows, with starters in italics.

MINNESOTA STATE
Kalinski-Harrison-Berge
Hanson-Bruess-Mouillierat
Irwin-Sackrison-Wiley
Gaulrapp-Gunderson-Galiardi

Davis-Kilburg
Youds-Linder
Boe-Friesen

Zacharias
Tormey
Lee

ALASKA-ANCHORAGE
Lunden-Cartwright-Clark
Waldrop-Crowder-Grant
Tassone-Parkinson-Tarkir
Haddad-Wiles-Tuton

Beaverson-Robinson
LaFranchise-Hunt
Carlson-Vidmar

Christianson
Olthuis

Alaska-Anchorage at #15 MSU IN GAME

The Mavericks had control for most of the first period but it was the Seawolves that struck first on a nice feed from behind the net. MSU responded on the power play when Jason Wiley finished off a pretty passing play when Ben Youds kept the puck in the zone. Mick Berge then picked up the puck at the blue line, fed it to Mouillierat down low and he hit Wiley back-door for the tap in.

1st Period Scoring Summary
4:22 -Lunden (Vidmar, Clark) 1-0 UAA
8:44 – Wiley (Mouillierat, Berge) PPG 1-1

The Mavericks looked a bit sloppy in the early going, but managed to get some nice chances and wasted no time capitalizing on them. Joel Hanson had a goal waved off, but responded by burying one that was a no-doubter off a nice feed from Bruess. The Mavericks then got a nice deflection from Bruess off a wrist shot to give them their second power-play goal of the night. MSU looks calm and in control.

2nd Period Scoring Summary
15:01 - Hanson (Bruess, Youds) 2-1 MSU
18:50 - Bruess (Davis, Sackrison) PPG 3-1 MSU

No scoring in the third, but MSU comes away with a 3-1 victory even if it wasn't pretty. It's 2 points nonetheless, and with Wisconsin tieing Michigan Tech, the Mavericks are currently tied for fourth place in the WCHA standings.

Alaska-Anchorage at #15 MSU PRE GAME

About 30 minutes to go before the start of this one at Alltel Center. In what is the first WCHA series where MSU is a favorite to probably win two, the Mavericks are going to have to come out and continue to play well and avoid the difficult task of taking it easy against a weaker opponent. Any team in this league can beat you if you don't play your best game and the Mavericks will have to do just that, and in a very big series I sure hope they are ready.

Starting line-ups are as follows, with starters in italics.

MINNESOTA STATE
Kalinski-Harrison-Berge
Hanson-Bruess-Mouillierat
Irwin-Sackrison-Wiley
Gaulrapp-Gunderson-Stewart

Davis-Kilburg
Youds-Linder
Boe-Canzanello

Zacharias
Tormey
Lee

ALASKA-ANCHORAGE SEAWOLVES
Waldrop-Crowder-Cartwright
Lunden-Parkinson-Clark
Tuton-Tassone-Tarkir
Haddad-Wiles-Grant

Beaverson-Robinson
Lovdahl-Vidmar
Lafranchise-Hunt

Olthuis
Christianson

Sackrison named WCHA Rookie of the Week...

Freshman forward Andrew Sackrison has been named the WCHA Rookie of the Week for his efforts last weekend in the Mavericks' sweep over No. 7 Denver. Sackrison had 2-2--4 that included his first career three-point night (1g, 2a) in Friday's 5-1 victory. In addition, he has 3-7--10 in the last 10 games. He is MSU's top-scoring newcomer with 15 points and has done an excellent job making things happen on the offensive side of the ice. He and line mates Jason Wiley and Geoff Irwin have been MSU's most productive line of late. It just goes to show that MSU's depth is so important to its success because it seems to be a new set of guys carrying the team every weekend, and we are set up for what should be a thrilling ride down the stretch.

Big jump...

After being unranked the last two weeks, the Mavericks jumped to #15 in the latest USCHO/CSTV top-20 rankings thanks to their excellent play of late. The Mavericks are proving that their young team has matured to the point that they can establish themselves for a run at the Final Five and make it to the NCAA tournament. They host Alaska-Anchorage this weekend, and in a series where they should probably take two, it is important that the Mavs stay hungry and continue to play well. Slipping up in this series could ruin their hopes for going anywhere important, and they have worked hard to get where they are. A sweep here, and they continue to stay on fire going into tough road series with Wisconsin and Colorado College. In my opinion, this is the biggest series of the year for the Mavericks.

Game 2: #4 Denver at MSU IN GAME

Due to internet troubles here at Alltel Center I was not able to do the pre-game. Much apologies.

Minnesota State had to expect that Denver would come out flying tonight following their disappointing effort last night. Denver did come out strong, but MSU impressively matched that intensity. The Mavericks weathered the storm and got a goal on the power play off the stick of red-hot freshman forward Andrew Sackrison. It was big for the Mavs not to let Denver score early and control the flow, and MSU is playing physical again refusing to let the Pioneers get back in the series.

1st Period Scoring Summary
17:38 - Sackrison (Irwin, Canzanello) PPG 1-0 MSU

The Mavericks made it 2-0 early in the second period when Joel Hanson tipped a shot by R.J. Linder past Mannino. Denver cut the lead to 2-1 shortly after a power play had expired, and the Pioneers looked to have MSU on its heels. A break in the action may have been a blessing for the Mavericks as a piece of glass became dislodged and the game stopped for a few minutes. Jon Kalinski needed only a minute after the break to give MSU another two-goal lead when his rebound snuck past Mannino. If the Mavericks can stay aggressive they will be successful in the third period.

2nd Period Scoring Summary
1:11 - Hanson (Linder, Bruess) 2-0 MSU
6:19 - Bozak (Rakhshani, Butler) 2-1 MSU
15:50 - Kalinski (Harrison, Davis) 3-1 MSU

The Mavericks were able to weather the storm all night long and went blow-for-blow with a top team in the nation. They continue to prove themselves against top competition and really are establishing themselves as a team to be reckoned with in the WCHA. These wins are also huge for MSU's consideration in the NCAA post season tournament. They are rolling, and look to be very tough to stop.

3rd Period Scoring Summary
13:46 - Ostrow (Testwuide, Mannino) PPG 3-2 MSU

#4 Denver at MSU IN GAME

The Mavericks had the majority of the chances and really controlled the first period. Geoff Irwin capitalized on an opportunity and beat Mannino off a scrum in front of the Denver goal. Each team had time on the power play but neither were able to get anything going. MSU is playing very physical, and that is something they will need to continue to do in order to beat this tough Denver team.

1st Period Scoring Summary
11:39 - Irwin (Sackrison) 1-0 MSU

MSU continues to control the game and has had an array of scoring chances to go along with the goals they have scored. The Mavericks are going hard to the net and are being rewarded for it.

2nd Period Scoring Summary
4:01 - Rakhshani (Mullen, Butler) PPG 1-1
9:21 - Wiley (Linder, Davis) 2-1 MSU
13:12 - Sackrison (Linder) 3-1 MSU

The Mavs impressed a lot of people tonight with their 5-1 victory over a highly touted Denver team. MSU controlled every second of this game and look as if they are serious about making a post-season run.

3rd Period Scoring Summary
7:13 - Youds (Irwin, Sackrison) 4-1 MSU
18:15 - Hanson (Bruess, Mouillierat) 5-1 MSU

#4 Denver at MSU PRE GAME

About 30 minutes until the start of this one here at Alltel Center. DU's leading scorer Brock Trotter did not make the trip this weekend which should be a huge sigh of relief for the Mavericks as they look to use the momentum they gained last weekend in their WCHA sweep over #20 St. Cloud State. Denver has been at the top of the WCHA standings all season and this will be yet another huge weekend for the Mavericks if they can manage some points out of the series. MSU sits only three points out of a spot in the top five in the standings, so points here are a must.

The Starting line-ups for tonight are as follows, with starters in italics:

MINNESOTA STATE
Kalinski-Harrison-Berge
Hanson-Bruess-Mouillierat
Irwin-Sackrison-Wiley
Gaulrapp-Gunderson-Stewart

Davis-Kilburg
Youds-Linder
Boe-Canzanello

Zacharias
Tormey
Lee

DENVER
Ostrow-Bozak-Ruegsegger
Rakshani-Martin-Mullen
Maiani-Gifford-May
Glasser-Vossberg-Jackson

Butler-Thomas
Nutini-Brookwell
Testwuide-Blom

Mannino
Cheverie