The Free Press
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The Mavericks (9-17-2, 15-18-3) and the Huskies (20-11-5, 15-9-4) will play each other in the WCHA tournament for the first time. The two teams faced each other last weekend in the final series of the regular season with MSU winning 4-2 on Friday in Mankato tying 2-2 in overtime in St. Cloud on Saturday to set up the rematch. Minnesota State is the tournament’s eighth seed, while St. Cloud State is the third seed.
The 5-hole
Five things to know about the matchup:
1. The matchup they wanted? Minnesota State is 7-1-1 in its last nine games at St. Cloud’s National Hockey Center. The stretch dates back to the 2003-04 season. This year’s MSU seniors have gone 4-1-1 at St. Cloud since their first year of college hockey. Kael Mouillierat (11-10—21) has 10 points in 10 career games against the Huskies, including five points at the NHC. He had an assist on MSU’s first goal there on Saturday.
2. Keeping things even: The Mavericks killed all nine St. Cloud State power plays last weekend, a trend they hope will continue against the Huskies’ talented forwards. The Mavericks finished the season fourth in the WCHA in penalty minutes per game with an 18.1 average. However, they led the league in power plays allowed, having to kill off 206. Minnesota State ranks fourth in the WCHA with an 82 percent kill rate.
3. Form a line: Minnesota State coach Troy Jutting said he will put the same lineup out that he had last weekend. That includes freshman Phil Cook (.915, 2.42) in goal. The Mavericks scored just one even-strength goal in last week’s series, but it was one of three goals by Rylan Galiardi (11-13—24), who is tied with his linemate, Zach Harrison (8-16—24), for the team points lead. Mike Louwerse (7-6—13) is also on the second line.
4. St. Cloud at full strength? Last week, the Huskies played without defenseman Garrett Raboin and forward Aaron Marvin. Raboin, who was out with an ankle injury is expected to be back in the lineup tonight, while Marvin, who was suspended by the WCHA for three games for rough play, is eligible to return to play on Saturday. Raboin and Marvin are considered two of the team’s better penalty killers.
5. Scouting the Huskies: St. Cloud State is led in scoring by senior forward Ryan Lasch (18-22—40), who is just five points shy of setting the program’s scoring record. Forwards Garrett Roe (16-23—39) and Tony Mosey (11-20—31) are also having fine seasons. Dan Dunn (.914, 2.57) started both games in goal against the Mavericks but was pulled and replaced by rookie Mike Lee (.914, 2.82) during the first period on Friday.
Around the rinks
Gustavus Adolphus: Both Gusties teams will play on Saturday for a trip to the national semifinals. The women will host Wisconsin-River Falls at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Don Roberts Ice Rink, while the men will travel to DePere, Wis., to take on No. 3 St. Norbert at 7 p.m. If the women win, they will host the Frozen Four on March 19-20. The men’s championship weekend will take place at the same time in Lake Placid, N.Y.
— Shane Frederick
