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February 18, 2011

College hockey gameday: MSU vs. Minnesota Duluth

By Shane Frederick Free Press Staff Writer

— The Mavericks (13-13-6, 7-13-4 in WCHA) return home for their final four games of the regular season, starting with a series against the No. 5 Bulldogs (18-6-5, 13-5-4). Minnesota State has lost its last six games against Duluth and hasn’t beaten its northern-Minnesota rival since the 2007-08 season.

The 5-hole

Five things to know about the matchup:

1. Feeling better: Minnesota State captain Rylan Galiardi (7-11—18) and freshman forward Chase Grant (8-10—18) missed most of last weekend’s series split at Colorado College with an injury and an illness, respectively, but both were back on the practice ice this week. “Chase is going to be fine, and Rylan, I would say, is day to day,” coach Troy Jutting said Wednesday.

2. Who’s in goal? Unlike some other WCHA coaches, Jutting isn’t ready to declare a No. 1 goaltender going forward. Austin Lee (.909, 2.53) is coming off two solid games against CC, while Phil Cook (.907, 2.91) has lost just one of his last four games. “Looking at their career numbers, they’re almost identical,” said Jutting, who did not announce a starter. “I’m going to go with the kid who’s playing his best. They’re very similar in a lot of ways.”

3. Party like it’s 1991: On Saturday night, MSU will pay tribute to the 1990-91 team that went 23-7-6 and finished second in the NCAA Division II national tournament. During Saturday home games this season, the Mavericks have been wearing jerseys in the style of those that team wore. Meanwhile, former defenseman and Canadian country music recording artist Chad Brownlee (2003-07) is slated to sing the national anthem that night.

4. The law firm line: Duluth’s high-powered line of Fontaine, Connolly & Connolly is one of the best groups of forwards in college hockey. Jack Connolly (12-30—42) leads the Bulldogs — and WCHA — in scoring, followed by Justin Fontaine (18-21—39) and Mike Connolly (19-17—36), although Mike is not far removed from the WCHA’s first five-goal game since 1993.

5. Scouting the Bulldogs: UMD is coming off a one-point weekend, losing to and tying St. Cloud State at Duluth. The 8-2 loss was just the Bulldogs’ second defeat in their last 11 games. Forward J.T. Brown (9-16—25)  has become one of the top freshmen in the WCHA, while last year’s top rookie, defenseman Dylan Olsen, turned pro halfway through the season. Kenny Reiter (.910, 2.36) and Aaron Crandall (.898, 2.62) have split time in goal.

Around the rinks

MSU women: The Mavericks (8-21-3, 7-17-1 in WCHA) will close out the regular season and prep for the conference playoffs by hosting top-ranked Wisconsin, which is riding an 18-game unbeaten streak. Game times are 7 p.m. today and 3 p.m. Saturday at All Seasons Arena. Second-year Mavericks coach Eric Means has surpassed last year’s overall and conference win totals.

Gustavus: The men (13-8-2, 7-5-2 in MIAC) will close out the regular season with a home-and-home series against St. Mary’s, starting tonight at Winona. Currently, Gustavus is tied for third in the conference; the top five make the postseason. The first-place women (15-3-3, 10-2-2) have four games remaining but will try to hold on to their top spot against St. Mary’s, starting tonight at St. Peter.

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