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November 26, 2009

College hockey gameday: MSU vs. Michigan Tech

By Shane Frederick

MANKATO — Follow the Mavericks live with Shane Frederick for this weekend's series.

The Mavericks (4-7-1, 2-7-1 in WCHA) return home to take on the Huskies (3-7-0, 2-6-0) in a battle between the bottom two teams in the conference. Minnesota State sits one point ahead of last-place Michigan Tech after a split with Alaska-Anchorage a week ago. Tech was idle last weekend. The Mavericks swept the Huskies in their only meeting last season in Houghton, Mich., and lead the all-time series 20-12-3.

The 5-hole
Five things to know about the matchup:

1. Figure eight: Minnesota State’s eight goals a week ago at Alaska-Anchorage was the team’s highest total since the 2004-05 season. However, the Mavericks have scored two goals or less in six games — all losses — including a 4-1 loss to the Seawolves on Saturday.

“Our season would be a very different season if we could capitalized on our opportunities,” coach Troy Jutting said. “We’re doing a good job creating opportunities, but we’re not doing a good job finishing. That’s hurt us.”

2. Goal-Lee: Sophomore Austin Lee (.910, 2.70) will get the start in goal tonight, as he has in the Mavericks’ last three series openers and four of the team’s last six games. Although Jutting still has not declared Lee or freshman Kevin Murdock (.895, 3.46) to be the team’s official No. 1 goaltender, Lee has three of MSU’s four victories so far.

3. Back in the lineup: Minnesota State forwards James Gaulrapp and Tyler Thompson will be back in the lineup tonight. Gaulrapp, a senior, has played in just three games this season and has one assist. He has been a scratch the last four games, while Thompson has played in just one of the last five games, missing the last two with an injury. Thompson, a sophomore, is still looking for his first points of the season.

4. Comeback of the year: Huskies senior Malcolm Gwilliam (6-4—10) is back this season after suffering a season-ending stroke nine games into the season a year ago. Gwilliam is a rare sixth-year senior who was granted medical hardship by the NCAA last season despite taking a redshirt year because of an injury in 2005-06. He has played in 126 career games and has compiled 52 points over that time.

5. Scouting the Huskies: Michigan Tech is led by sophomore forward Brett Olson (5-7—12), who has two game-winning goals this year. Gwilliam is second on the scoring list, while freshman defenseman Steven Seigo (1-7—8) is next. Freshman goaltender Kevin Genoe (.916, 3.05) has started the Huskies’ last eight games and stopped 48 of 50 shots in a 3-2 upset win at Minnesota Duluth on Nov. 6.

Around the rinks

The Minnesota State women’s team and the Gustavus Adolphus men’s and women’s teams are idle this weekend.

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