Men's Hockey | 11/3/2015 10:38:00 AM
On Tap: Minnesota State (4-4-0 overall, 4-0-0 WCHA) squares-off against Ferris State (3-3-2 overall, 2-2-0 WCHA) in Western Collegiate Hockey Association action this weekend in Big Rapids, Mich. MSU and Ferris State play at Ewigleben Ice Arena (2,490) Friday (7:07 p.m.) and Saturday (7:07 p.m.) EST.
Minnesota State Most Recently: Minnesota State extended its winning streak to four straight games after claiming 5-2 and 2-1 wins over visiting Alaska in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association series played in Mankato last weekend. The two victories marked MSU's first-ever sweep over the Nanooks.
About Ferris State: The Bulldogs, who lost 5-4 in overtime to Michigan Tech before responding with a 3-2 win over the Huskies last weekend in Houghton, Mich., stand 3-3-2 for the year.
Ferris State is paced offensively by a trio of junior forwards in
Kyle Schempp (2-6--8),
Gerald Mayhew (2-6--8) and
Chad McDonald (3-3--6). Senior
Charles Williams (1-3-1, 3.46, .893) had shared netminding duties with freshman
Darren Smith (2-0-1, 1.82, .943).
Bob Daniels is in his 24th season as head coach of the Ferris State men's hockey program and owns a 400-412-91 mark behind the Bulldog bench.
Mavericks vs. Bulldogs: Minnesota State owns an all-time record of 13-3-2 vs. the Bulldogs and have won the last eight meetings between the two schools.
Maverick Noteables: Junior defenseman
Sean Flanagan scored twice and assisted on two others in last Friday's 5-2 victory over Alaska. Flanagan, who had 0-12--12 as a sophomore last year, scored his first goal since notching one in a 3-2 win over Northern Michigan March 14, 2014. His previous high for points in a game was three when he had three assists in 7-0 win as a sophomore at Lake Superior State Nov. 28, 2014.
Senior forward Bryce Gervais, who enters the Ferris State series riding a consecutive games played streak of 130 straight appearances with the Mavericks, tallied his second goal of the season when scored Minnesota State's fourth goal in last Friday's 5-2 win over Alaska. Gervais, who drew an assist on Brett Knowles' game-winning goal in Saturday's contest, has 53-25--78 in his four seasons with the Mavericks to tied for 28th on the program's career scoring list (NCAA DI era).
Senior center Teddy Blueger, who assisted on Casey Nelson's goal in last Friday's 5-2 win over Alaska before adding a goal and an assist in Saturday's 2-1 win, is riding a four-game point scoring streak (2-3--5).
Freshman goaltender Jason Pawloski made 13 stops in Friday's 5-2 win over Alaska. Pawloski stands 2-0-0, with a 2.00 GAA and .886 save percentage in his first season with the Mavericks. Prior to Pawloski, the last Minnesota State netminder to win his first two collegiate starts was Cole Huggins in 2013-14. Huggins had wins vs. Bemidji State and Bowling Green before absorbing a loss to Minnesota as a freshman. Phil Cook went 3-0-1 in his first four starts as a Maverick in 2009-10 before losing a game at North Dakota. In 2002-03, Kyle Nixon claimed wins over Bemidji State and St. Cloud State before taking a 5-4 loss at North Dakota.
Senior forward Jon Jutzi, who had a goal and an assist in last Friday's 5-2 win, has racked up 2-2--4 in the last four games.
Junior forward Zach Stepan had two assists in last 5-2 victory and has 1-3--4 in the last three games.
Junior defenseman Casey Nelson owns 1-3--4 in the last three games. Nelson owns 9-34--43 in 67 career games.
Freshman defenseman Daniel Brickley, who has played in four games in his maiden season with the Mavericks, recorded his first point as a collegian when he assisted on Teddy Blueger's power play goal in last Saturday's 2-1 win over Alaska.
As a team Minnesota State is outshooting its opponents 245-188 through the team's first eight games. The Mavericks are tied for sixth in the nation for fewest shots on goal allowed per game (23.5) and rank ninth in shots on goal margin with a +57 mark.
Minnesota State head coach Mike Hastings is in his fourth season behind the bench for the Mavericks. Hastings, who has guided the Mavericks to a trio of NCAA tournament appearances in his first three years with the program and was named the recipient of the Spencer Penrose Award last season after leading the Mavericks to the WCHA regular and post-season championships, owns a career collegiate coaching record of 83-40-7 (.665).
