GRAND FORKS, N.D. — Cameron Cooper said he got the call around 10:45 p.m. on Friday night.
The Minnesota State sophomore defenseman was not part of the traveling party to North Dakota for his team’s weekend series there. But ever the team player, he was ready to go.
Cooper was asked to drive goaltender Kevin Murdock from Mankato to Grand Forks on Saturday morning.
“No big deal,” Cooper said.
Murdock also stayed behind as Phil Cook got the start on Friday and Austin Lee was the backup. But during the play leading up to North Dakota’s second goal that night, Cook said he “felt a pop” in his back. After the goal, he took himself out of the game, and Lee finished the game, a 4-1 loss.
Rules allowed Minnesota State to have Murdock join the team as an emergency player due to injury. Cooper said he and Murdock left Mankato around 8 a.m. and made it to the team hotel in time for the pregame meal.
Murdock did not play in Saturday’s game. Lee stopped 31 shots in the 3-2 loss.
“(Lee) made some good saves,” Jutting said.
Cook said that he was told he might be suffering back spasms but was feeling better on Saturday. Jutting did not have a timetable for Cook’s return, saying that the goalie would be reevaluated this week.
Sit for a spell
Minnesota State made two lineup changes from Friday to Saturday, benching junior forward Rylan Galiardi and sophomore forward Mike Louwerse and putting in reserves Eli Zuck and Joe Schiller.
It was the first scratch of the season for Galiardi, while Louwerse missed his third game of the season.
Only Zach Harrison, Ben Youds, Jerad Stewart, Kael Mouillierat and Channing Boe have played in all 24 games for MSU this season.
Maverick killer
North Dakota sophomore forward Jason Gregoire must love playing Minnesota State. After scoring four goals, including two game-winners over the weekend, he has five goals and an assist in six games against the Mavericks.
A Winnipeg, Manitoba, native and New York Islanders draft pick, Gregoire has 12 goals and seven assists in 22 games this season.
Loose pucks
MSU freshman Eriah Hayes was the team’s only plus player of the series, finishing with a plus-1. … North Dakota lost Friday night’s No. 1 star, Corban Knight, to a late-game injury. Not only was he replaced in the lineup on Saturday, but he’ll be out a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks. … North Dakota is 13-1-1 in its last 15 games against Minnesota State. … Minnesota State is 0-8-0 when trailing after two periods this season.
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