The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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February 11, 2009

Those are the breaks: Injuries do in Boe's season

By Shane Frederick

MANKATO — On Jan. 16, Minnesota State men’s hockey defenseman Channing Boe broke his right thumb in a game against Alaska-Anchorage.

The sophomore played through it for the next four games, wearing a cast under his glove, until Jan. 30 against Minnesota when he broke his right leg.

The injury, which occurred during a melee in the corner of the Alltel Center, ended his season.

“I was looking forward to having a good finish to the season,” Boe said Wednesday afternoon. “Anytime you have an injury it’s just disheartening. Everyday I come here and wish I was out on the ice.”

Boe has a cast on his hand and an orthopedic boot — soon to be a cast — on his foot and is using crutches to get around. To make matters worse, he’s right-handed.

“I have to have my notes taken for me (in class),” he said.

Before the injury, Boe had checked the Gophers’ Jay Barriball from behind near the MSU bench and was then chased down and tackled by Brian Schack. When the players fell to the ice, their teammates joined in the scrum. Boe’s leg was stuck under the pile.

Boe broke his right fibula, just above the ankle. As of now, he said, surgery is not required.

“I knew it was busted for sure,” he said.

The Mavericks leave today for Grand Forks, N.D., to play 11th-ranked North Dakota. Boe said he wishes he could be there.

“One of my goals this year was to play every game,’ he said. “Obviously, that fell short.”

New recruits
Minnesota State received verbal commitments from two recruits last week, according to various sources.

According to various Web sites, including Chris Heisenberg’s reliable NCAA hockey recruiting page, defensemen Tyler Elbrecht and Zach Palmquist announced they would be joining the Mavericks.

Elbrecht is the 6-foot-5, 225-pound captain of the St. Louis Bandits of the North American Hockey League. The Edwardsville, Ill., native is described as a “tough, reliable (and plays a) hard-nosed style,” according to the Bandits Web site. He has one goal, eight assists and 103 penalty minutes this season.

Palmquist, meanwhile, is a 5-11, 160-pound senior at South St. Paul High School. He has 13 goals and 20 assists this season and will join the Mavericks in 2010 or 2011.

Top 10 picks
Two of the top 10 finalists for the Ms. Hockey Award, which goes to Minnesota’s top female high school player, are Minnesota State bound.

Fergus Falls forward/defenseman Erika Magnusson and Blaine forward Lauren Zrust are among six future WCHA players on the list.

Both players signed with Minnesota State during the early signing period in November.

One-timers
The MSU women’s victory over St. Cloud State Saturday was the team’s first road win since Oct. 18. ... Starting with a sweep by Minnesota State, Minnesota has now lost four games in a row. It’s the Gophers’ first four-game slide since the 2000-01 season. ... This week’s WCHA players of the week included Denver forward Rhett Rakhshani and Wisconsin defenseman Jamie McBain (co-offensive), Wisconsin goaltender Shane Connelly (defensive) and Minnesota Duluth forward Mike Connolly (rookie).

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