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February 2, 2012

College Hockey Gameday: Minnesota State vs. Michigan Tech

By Shane Frederick Free Press Staff Writer

The Mavericks (9-18-1, 5-14-1 in WCHA) return home to play their first rematch of the season as they host the Huskies (12-12-2, 9-7-2). The two teams split a series in Houghton, Mich., in November with the Mavericks losing 1-0 and winning 6-3. Minnesota State is 24-15-4 in the all-time series.

The 5-hole

Five things to know about the matchup:

1. Keeping it real: The Mavericks will go with the same lineup as it had in Saturday’s 5-2 victory at Bemidji State. Senior defenseman Cameron Cooper remains out with an upper-body injury. Phil Cook (.890 save percentage, 3.58 goals-against average) will start in goal, however, senior Austin Lee is available if necessary. Lee returned from an injury that has kept him out the last five games.

2. Lucky 14: Jean-Paul LaFontaine (12 goals, 10 assists) needs just two goals to become the first MSU player to score more than 13 goals in a season since Kael Mouillierat scored 17 in 2008-09. Mouillierat and Jerad Stewart each had 13 the next season, and Michael Dorr (6, 10) led MSU with 12 goals last year. Eriah Hayes (11, 9) has equaled his goal total from last year.

3. Isn’t that special: Minnesota State’s special teams have been very good of late. The Mavericks’ penalty kill has allowed just one opposing power-play goal in 19 tries over the last five games and two goals on 26 chances over the last seven. MSU’s power play, meanwhile, is clicking at 28.2 percent (20 for 71) over the last 15 games. LaFontaine leads the team with eight power-play goals.

4. On a roll: Michigan Tech scored nine unanswered goals a week ago to get three points at No. 1-ranked Minnesota Duluth. After trailing 4-0 the first night, the Huskies rallied to score a 4-4 tie. The next night, they won 5-0. First-year coach Mel Pearson’s Huskies already have more WCHA wins (nine) than Tech had in its previous three seasons combined (eight).

5. Scouting the Huskies: Senior Brett Olson (7, 17) leads Michigan Tech in scoring, but the team has had a lot of balance offensively as six other players, including senior Jordan Baker (8, 15) and freshmen David Johnstone (8, 11) and Blake Pietila (8, 11) have eight goals apiece. Senior goaltender Josh Robinson (.912, 2.69) has three shutouts, including one Saturday at Duluth and one over MSU on Nov. 4.

Around the rinks

MSU women: The Mavericks (7-21-0, 3-19-0 in WCHA) hope to snap a seven-game losing streak, but it won’t be an easy task at No. 1 Wisconsin (24-2-2, 18-2-2) today and Sunday. Goalie Alli Altmann (.904, 3.03) beat the Badgers on Feb. 12, 2010, the Mavericks’ only victory over Wisconsin. Lauren Zrust (4, 12) had two goals that day.

Gustavus: The men (11-5-3, 5-4-1) opened a MIAC series at Hamline on Thursday and will host the Pipers at 7:05 today in St. Peter. The fifth-ranked women (14-1-2, 9-0-1), meanwhile, will try to bounce back from their first loss of the season as they play at Hamline today and host the Pipers at 2 p.m. Saturday.

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