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  • Minnesota State's goalie Phil Cook covers a shot made by Wisconsin's Derek Lee as MSU's Zach Lehrke (19) defends during first period action at the Verizon Wireless Center. John Cross

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  • University of Wisconsin's Justin Schultz (6), Frankie Simonelli (27) and goalie Joel Rumpel defend against Minnesota State University's Justin Jokinen during first period action at the Verizon Wireless Center. John Cross

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January 14, 2012

Cook, Mavericks shut out Wisconsin

Goalie makes 32 saves, Schiller has 3-point game

By Shane Frederick Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves called it “the riddle of the man between the pipes,” and indeed goaltending can be a mystery.

Minnesota State goalie Phil Cook, who struggled almost painfully in a pair of November games, including his last regular-season appearance at home, suddenly is playing brilliant hockey again.

On Saturday, the junior made 32 saves, including a couple of jaw-dropping stops in front of a Verizon Wireless Center crowd of 4,051, to shut out Wisconsin. The Mavericks won the Western Collegiate Hockey Association game 3-0.

The victory was MSU’s first against a WCHA opponent since Nov. 11, snapping a 10-game conference winless streak.

Cook, who won for the second time in as many starts (he beat St. Lawrence a week earlier) certainly didn’t look like the goaltender who allowed nine goals on 11 shots during a tough stretch of that streak. Including a period of exhibition play against the U.S. Under-18 Team, Cook has allowed just one goal in his last seven periods.

How did he make the turn?

“I think it’s realizing that my team still had confidence in me even when I was struggling,” he said. “Coaches had confidence in me, and no one really had any doubts. That’s what kept me motivated, playing for the guys on the team.”

Cook, a Wheaton, Ill., native who grew up watching the Badgers and hoping to play for them one day, stopped 11 shots during Wisconsin power-play time, helping kill three third-period penalties and six overall.

He made a pair of tough saves while killing a 5-on-3 power play in the first period and zipped across his crease to kick away another shot when the first penalty of that situation ended.

“I think a ton of it was, he battled,” MSU coach Troy Jutting said. “Obviously, some of it is luck, but he was very focused and battled hard all night.”

The luck came early in the third period on a shot that Cook might not have even seen. After falling to his belly during a scramble. He raised his arm in the air and, with a fortunate flick of his glove, turned away a shot by Sean Little.

“That was more or less desperation,” he said. “I didn’t want to let them back in the game. It’s been my college career goal is to beat Wisconsin, and I’ll do what ever it takes, even if it’s throw a limb out in the middle of the net and see what happens.”

It was Cook’s first win over Wisconsin in four tries.

“He was impressive, really good,” Mavericks senior Joe Schiller said, “and I think the guys are really happy for him.”

Cook’s play and some hard-nosed defensive play by Schiller to shut down Wisconsin’s best forward, Mark Zengerle, allowed the Mavericks (7-16-1, 3-12-1 in WCHA) to nurse a pair of first-period power-play goals by Eli Zuck and Eriah Hayes.

Schiller assisted on both goals and scored an empty-net goal with 30 seconds left in the game to preserve the win. Zuck also set up Hayes’ goal for a two-point game.

Badgers goaltender Joel Rumpel, who shutout the Mavericks in Friday’s series opener, stopped 29 shots. The Badgers’ loss meant they have never swept a series in Mankato.

“It was a huge win,” Jutting said. “We had to have it.”

The Mavericks’ homestand will continue on Friday when they begin a WCHA series against Nebraska Omaha.

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