The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Sports

Related Photos

  • Eriah Hayes

    Hayes, Eriah_PE6X7843.JPG

  • Tyler Elbrecht

    Elbrecht, Tyler_PE6X7754.JPG

Related Links

January 26, 2012

College Hockey Gameday: Minnesota State at Bemidji State

By Shane Frederick Free Press Staff Writer

The Mavericks (8-17-1, 4-13-1 in WCHA) will make their first appearance in the Sanford Center when they hit the road for a conference series against the Beavers (11-11-2, 5-9-2). Minnesota State lost its last game against its old rival nearly a year ago but won the previous seven. The Mavericks are 36-45-13 in the all-time series, which dates back to the 1974-75 season.

The 5-hole

Five things to know about the matchup:

1. Figuring out Fridays: Minnesota State is 5-5 in its last 10 games but hasn’t won the first game of a series since Dec. 9 against Alabama Huntsville. Two of those Friday-night defeats were 2-1 overtime losses, including Dec. 16 against Colorado College and a week ago against Nebraska Omaha. “You can’t get two if you don’t get one,” sophomore forward Johnny McInnis said.

2. Line ’em up: Tonight’s MSU lineup will be similar to last Saturday’s, with Eriah Hayes (10 goals, 8 assists) playing right wing with center Matt Leitner (7, 11) and left wing Jean-Paul LaFontaine (12, 9). Phil Cook will start in goal for the fifth time in six games, as Austin Lee remains out with an injury.

3. First time for everything: MSU junior captain and defenseman Tyler Elbrecht picked up his first point of the season in Saturday’s overtime win over Nebraska Omaha. Elbrecht has one goal and 13 assists in 89 career games. Freshman Zach Palmquist (4, 7) leads MSU’s defensemen in scoring, followed by senior Cameron Cooper (2, 5).

4. Slight edge: With a sweep, Minnesota State can jump ahead of Bemidji State in the league standings. The Beavers have a three-point lead over the Mavericks. Bemidji was swept at Denver on Jan. 13-14 and was idle last weekend. Prior to that, the Beavers won five games in a row, including a home win over Denver on Dec. 10. “We’ve had our hands full with Mankato over the course of the last four years,” Beavers coach Tom Serratore said. “Our senior class is 1-5 against them; they’ve beat us a lot.”

5. Scouting the Beavers: Bemidji State is led by junior forward Jordan George (12, 7) and senior defenseman Brad Hunt (4, 13). Statistically, freshman Andrew Walsh (.923, 2.19) ranks as one of the top goaltenders in the WCHA. He has shared time with senior Dan Bakula (.907, 2.74). The Beavers have the best combined special teams stats in the WCHA. They are 8-3-1 at home.

Around the rinks

Minnesota State women: The Mavericks (7-19-0, 3-17-0 in WCHA) will try to snap a five-game losing streak when they face the No. 3 Gophers (20-4-2, 14-4-2), a team they haven’t beaten in the last 21 meetings. Games are at 7:07 p.m. today and 3:07 p.m. Saturday at All Seasons Arena. Tonight’s game is youth night with $1 tickets for fans ages 5-17. An autograph session will follow the game.

Gustavus Adolphus: Both Gustavus teams will play Concordia, with the men (10-4-2, 4-4-0 in MIAC) hosting the Cobbers (8-8-3, 4-4-2) at 7:05 p.m. today and 2:05 p.m. Saturday at the Don Roberts Ice Rink. The No. 4 women (13-0-1, 8-0-0) will travel to Moorhead for two games against the Cobbers (9-2-2, 5-1-2).

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Sports