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

Wiley recognized by WCHA...

Sophomore forward Jason Wiley was named WCHA co-Offensive Player of the Week. Wiley got four points (2g, 2a) this last weekend as the Mavericks swept No. 20 St. Cloud State. Wiley has done a nice job establishing himself offensively this season to add to a sophomore class that gives the team an excellent amount of depth in their forward lines. He has good hands, plays physically and does a good job finishing when he gets the chance.

Getting closer...

The Mavericks still were not in the USCHO/CSTV top-20 rankings this week, but did receive more votes. MSU is coming off a big sweep over now 20th-ranked St. Cloud and really could have easily found their way into that top 20. The Mavs got a spark late in Friday's game and finally got that break they have been waiting so long for. R.J. Linder scored his first goal of the season and from that point on the Mavericks were electric and put themselves in a great position to make a late season run. They host No. 4 Denver this weekend, which will be a tough test, but hopefully they can use this last series as a building point for next weekend and the rest of the season.

#13 St. Cloud State at MSU IN GAME

Not much action to speak of this period. This game has been played along the boards and in the neutral zone for the most part. Two defensive zone break downs led to virtually the same back- door goals that were just 24 seconds apart for the Huskies. A disappointing start in a big series for MSU.

1st Period Scoring Summary
12:15 - Dey (Mosey, Lasch) 1-0 SCSU
12:39 - Hartman (Marvin, Borgen) 2-0 SCSU

The second period was more of the same for the Mavericks, with SCSU scoring at 13:13 on yet another back-door goal where Zacharias had no chance. MSU is going to need a major spark and had better get started quickly if they plan to make a comeback.

2nd Period Scoring Summary
13:13 - Mosey (Volpei) 3-0 SCSU

R.J. Linder's first goal of the season made the Mavericks an entirely new team in the third period as they made an unbelievable comeback to win 5-3. The gravity of this win can not be put in to words as the Mavericks have undoubtedly revived their hopes to make a run at the end of the season and have some desparately needed momentum going in to St. Cloud tomorrow.

3rd Period Scoring Summary
11:45 - Linder (Wiley) 3-1 SCSU
12:20 - Bruess (Mouillierat, Friesen) 3-2 SCSU
15:11 - Wiley (Irwin, Harrison) 3-3
18:43 - Berge (Kalinski) 4-3 MSU
19:08 - Kilburg (Bruess, Hanson) EN 5-3 MSU

#13 St. Cloud State at MSU PRE GAME

About 20 minutes until the puck drops here at Alltel center. The Huskies have some good scorers that MSU will have to keep off the board along with staying out of the penalty box to keep the WCHA's best power play for SCSU off the ice. The Mavericks changed up the line pairings last Saturday vs. North Dakota, but look to have reverted to the old lines for the most part.

Here are the starting line-ups for tonight, with starters in italics:

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

Youds-Friesen
Davis-Kilburg
Linder-Canzanello

Zacharias
Tormey
Lee

ST. CLOUD STATE
Nodl-Roe-Volpei
Mosey-Dey-Lasch
Borgen-Marvin-Hartman
Mjelleli-Olson-Oslund

Raboin-Stephenson
Swanson-Anderson
Brocklehurst-Barta

Weslosky
Dunn

Dropping Out...

The Mavericks dropped out of the USCHO/CSTV top-20 rankings this week, but were still receiving votes.

After suffering a sweep at the hands of sixth-ranked North Dakota, the Mavericks now look at a home-and-home series with No. 13 St. Cloud State with Friday being at Alltel Center and Saturday at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud. The Mavs sure could have used some points this last weekend, but with the league the way it is, it isn't over until all of the games are played. With only seven points separating six teams in the league, the race is far from over. It will be an interesting rest of the regular season.

Game 2: #6 North Dakota at #20 MSU IN GAME

The Mavericks came out with more intensity than last night which is a pace they will need to keep up. MSU was given a power play just 21 seconds into the game but were unable to get set up. UND went on the power play soon after but also failed to get anything going. UND found itself on the power play again a short time later and managed to get a goal on a nice shot from the slot. After a shorthanded goal from Duncan to put UND up 2-0, MSU got a much needed goal again from Mick Berge and carry a little momentum going into the second period.

1st Period Scoring Summary
8:34 -- VandeVelde (Chorney, Bina) PPG 1-0 UND
9:58 -- Duncan (Oshie) SHG 2-0 UND
15:47 -- Berge (Sackrison, Youds) 2-1 UND

The Mavericks and Sioux traded goals with the Sioux again cashing in on the power play. The Mavericks got a late goal from Jon Kalinski with under a second remaining when he threw the puck at the net from around the goal line near the left corner and snuck a shot under the pads of Lamoureux. Again the Mavs get a goal late in the period when they need to stay in the game.

2nd Period Scoring Summary
13:55 -- Kozak (Genoway, Frattin) PPG 3-1 UND
19:59 -- Kalinski (Mouillierat, Berge) PPG 3-2 UND

The Sioux got 2 goals 12 seconds apart and that was the clincher as UND went on to win 5-3. The Sioux had 5 power play goals this weekend and 3 of them came tonight. UND has a lot of weapons and when they can finish like they were this weekend it makes it awfully tough on the opposition.

3rd Period Scoring Summary
2:48 -- Genoway (Finley, Frattin) PPG 4-2 UND
3:00 -- Trupp (Frattin) 5-2 UND
18:37 -- Stewart (Hanson, Davis) PPG 5-3 UND

Game 2: #6 North Dakota at #20 MSU PRE GAME

About 35 minutes to faceoff here in Mankato and it's not as cold out which means there might not be as many late arrivals from MSU fans. The Mavericks lost a tough one last night in a game where they couldn't seem to get anything going on offense. While both teams struggled to find a flow, it was the special teams that ultimately decided the game as all three of the game's goals came on the power play. MSU did a good job of containing Ryan Duncan and T.J. Oshie last night, and they must do the same tonight if they want to win. A split here keeps the Mavericks very much alive in the WCHA standings, but a sweep might be difficult to rebound from. Power plays will likely be the main factor again tonight, and whichever team capitalizes will be on top at the end.

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

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

Youds-Kilburg
Davis-Friesen
Linder-Boe

Zacharias
Tormey
Lee

NORTH DAKOTA
Duncan-Oshie-Kozek
Watkins-VandeVelde-Martens
Trupp-Zajac-Frattin
Radke-Malone-Davidson

Chorney-Bina
Finley-Genoway
Jones-Marto

Lamoureux
Walski

MSU Senior Matt Tyree is playing in only his third career game as coach Troy Jutting may be looking to add a little size to the line-up considering last night's events. Again, I will be providing thoughts and up-to-date scoring.

#6 North Dakota at #20 MSU IN GAME

In a big series like this, I expected to see MSU come out with a lot more energy and to play very physical. I was suprised to see that North Dakota was the team playing hard and physical. The Mavs need to play with more emotion and intensity in the following periods. Mouillierat hit post on nice 2-on-1 feed from Bruess, but that was it for the Mavericks offensively.

1st Period Scoring Summary
5:06 -- Genoway (Watkins, Finley) PPG 1-0 UND

The second period was a bit better for the Mavericks as they saw a few more scoring chances, but had nothing to show for it. MSU had two goals disallowed, so they have been getting chances, they just need to cash in, legally. It sets us up for a great third period here in frigid Mankato.

2nd Period Scoring Summary
No Scoring

The Mavericks managed to get a power play goal from Mick Berge, but couldn't keep UND off the board on a power play of their own. MSU also could not seem to get much going offensively the entire game. Trevor Bruess and Rylan Kaip will not be available tomorrow night as they were both ejected for fighting.

3rd Period Scoring Summary
5:52 -- Bina (Oshie, Chorney) PPG 2-0 UND

10:29 -- Berge (Youds, Zacharias) PPG 2-1 UND

#6 North Dakota at #20 MSU PRE GAME

It's about 30 minutes until the puck drops at Alltel Center. The Maverick student section is full and looks to be full of energy. Let's hope they can get loud early due to an early goal. Hopefully we will all have something to cheer about tonight as it is that time of the season when teams in the league start separating themselves. This is a big weekend for MSU.

Here are the line-ups for both teams. Starters are in italics:

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

Linder-Davis
Boe-Kilburg
Youds-Friesen

Zacharias
Tormey
Lee

NORTH DAKOTA
Watkins-VandeVelde-Kaip
Duncan-Oshie-Trupp
Kozek-Zajak-Frattin
Radke-Malone-Martens

Finley-Genoway
Chorney-Bina
Jones-LaPoint

Lamoureux
Walski

The Mavs are going to have to stop the Duncan-Oshie-Trupp line if they are going to be successful. I will be providing scoring updates and thoughts throughout the game.

Holding on... again

The Mavericks clung to their No. 20 ranking this week in the USCHO/CSTV top-20 rankings.

With North Dakota coming to town this weekend, it may also be make-or-break time for MSU to make a run at the NCAA Tournament. Success this weekend will go a long way toward securing a spot. Get swept this weekend, and it might be an uphill battle the rest of the way...

Down a spot...

After being idle this past weekend, Minnesota State dropped a notch in the USCHO/CSTV top 20 rankings. After debuting at No. 19 last week, the Mavericks fell to the final spot in the rankings this week as they prepare for a series at the new No. 19 — Minnesota-Duluth.

The Mavericks took three points from the Bulldogs last month at the Alltel Center, and if they can do the same this weekend, may finally gain some respect from the national voters. I mean, how can MSU be one spot behind a team that: a) just split with Bemidji State (a team MSU swept last month) and b) be behind a team that the Mavs are 1-0-1 against this season. You could also argue that Minnesota State could be ahead of fellow WCHA school No. 17 Wisconsin. MSU has one fewer conference win, but they also have fewer losses, a better overall record and a 1-0-1 head-to-head record against the Badgers this season... but I digress.

In the rankings...

Minnesota State debuted at No. 19 in the USCHO/CSTV Top-20 rankings this week. It is the first time this season the Mavericks have been ranked.

In all, nine WCHA teams found themselves among the top-20 in the nation.

MSU is back in action in 10 days against No. 16 Minnesota-Duluth.