Men's Hockey | 3/8/2017 9:11:00 AM
Off the Hop: Minnesota State (21-11-4 overall) continues postseason activity this weekend with a road best-of-three second-round WCHA playoff series vs. Michigan Tech (20-13-7 overall). The Mavericks and the Huskies are slated to play at MacInnes Student Ice Arena (4,466) Friday (6:07 p.m. CST), Saturday (6:07 p.m. CST) and Sunday (6:07 p.m. CST, if necessary).
About the Minnesota State-Michigan Tech Series: The Mavericks, who went 2-1-1 (3-1 win, 4-0 win, 4-4 tie, 4-0 loss) in games with Michigan Tech this year, own a 32-18-8 all-time record vs. the Huskies. Minnesota State has gone 11-3-4 in the last 18 meetings with Michigan Tech. This weekend marks the first postseason meetings between the two schools.
Minnesota State Most Recently: Minnesota State stands 21-11-4 overall after downing the University of Alaska twice (3-0 and 4-1) in claiming a first-round WCHA play-off series victory last weekend in Mankato. The Mavericks have gone 12-5-2 in the last 19 games.
About Michigan Tech: The Huskies enter the weekend owning a 20-13-7 overall mark after after downing Lake Superior State twice (6-4, 8-0) in claiming a first-round WCHA play-off series victory last weekend in Houghton. Tech owns a 4-1 mark in its last five contests.
The Huskies are paced offensively by junior forward Joel L'Esperance (10-14--24) and senior forward Reid Sturos (10-14--24). Freshman goaltender Angus Redmond (19-8-5, 1.85, .915 sv%) has started 32 of the team's 40 games this year.
Michigan Tech is led by head coach Mel Pearson (Michigan Tech '81), who stands 115-90-29 as a college head coach (this is sixth year with the Huskies).
Minnesota State in the WCHA Postseason: The Mavericks are 24-33 all-time in WCHA postseason games. Under head coach Mike Hastings the Mavericks have forged a 15-4 record in the last five years in WCHA tournament action.
Minnesota State All-Time: The Minnesota State men's hockey program, begun in 1969-70, completed its 47th year of competition last year. The Mavericks are in their 21st year as members of NCAA Division I and in their 18th season as members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The Mavericks are 857-633-152 (.568) all-time and stand 226-217-61 (.509) in regular-season games vs. WCHA opponents.
Sean Flanagan Notes: In first season serving as an alternate captain...Three-time letterwinner (2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16) is a two-time WCHA All-Academic honoree and WCHA Scholar-Athlete honoree (at least 3.50 grade point average)...Has ten points on three goals and seven assists in the last 15 games. Flanagan, who has 13-41--54 in 137 career games played, has 172 shots on goal, 132 blocked shots and is +23 in his four seasons with the Mavericks.
Carter Foguth Notes: In second season serving as team captain...Three-time letterwinner (2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16) was a WCHA All-Academic honoree last year... Minnesota State's active career games played leader with 140, has 4-18--22, owns a +24 rating with 286 blocked shots in his four seasons as a Maverick. Foguth's 73 blocked shots this year lead the Mavericks and rank 14thin the nation. Foguth has 0-4--4 in 31 games played this year.
Cole Huggins Notes: Three-year letterwinner (2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16) is a two-time WCHA All-Academic pick...Owns school record for shut-outs with 11...Named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week (third time in career) after backstopping Mavericks to 3-1 an 4-0 wins over #17 Michigan Tech Oct. 7-8...Stands 8-6-1 with a 2.29 goals against average and a .902 save percentage for the year and ranks fifth at Minnesota State for career wins with 46 victories....Stopped 47 of 51 shots (.922 sv%, .1.92 GAA) as Minnesota State picked up five of six points in the two games vs. Lake Superior State (Nov. 4-5).
Michael Huntebrinker Notes: Three-year letterwinner (2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16) is in first year as an alternate captain...Two-time WCHA All-Academic honoree and WCHA Scholar-Athlete honoree (at least 3.50 grade point average)...Had three assists in Minnesota State's 7-3 win over Alaska Dec. 2...Scored his third goal of the season in Minnesota State's 5-4 win at Princeton Dec. 17. Had his second career three-point game when he tallied a goal and two assists in 5-0 win at Alaska Anchorage (Feb. 4)...Has 4-18--22 this year in registering single-season highs for assists and points this year.
Jordan Nelson Notes: Three-year letterwinner (2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16) is a two-time WCHA All-Academic honoree and WCHA Scholar-Athlete honoree (at least 3.50 grade point average)...Ranks second on the Mavericks with 260 face-off wins. The Williston, N.D., native has 16 goals and 22 assists for 38 points in 131 career games played.
Zach Stepan Notes: Three-time letterwinner (2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16) is a 2012 Nashville Predators draft pick (4th round, 112 overall)...Including the game-winning goal, scored a pair of power play goals in Minnesota State's 3-2 win at Alabama Huntsville Jan. 7... Has scored six times and assisted on five others for 11 points in the last 14 games, has 24-35--58 in 134 career games played.
C.J. Franklin Notes: Two-year letterwinner is in first season as team captain...2014 Winnipeg Jets draftee (5th round, 129th overall)... Finished third on team in scoring and second in goals with 14-11--25 in sophomore season and saw action in all 41 games...Ranks second on Minnesota State's scoring charts with 12-19--31, has eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points in the last 22 games. He leads the Mavericks with 362 face-off wins (ranks 27th in the country) and with 35-49--84 in 114 career games, the Forest Lake, Minn., product stands as Minnesota State's active career scoring leader and is tied for 21st on the school's career scoring list (for DI-era).
Zeb Knutson Notes: Two-year letterwinner (2014-15, 2015-16) finished sixth on school's point-scoring charts in 2015-16 with six goals and 11 assists for 17 points... Scored his fourth game-winning goal of the year in Saturday's 4-1 victory over Alaska. Knutson, who has 14-10--24 for the season, stands tied for the team lead in goals, ranks fourth in shots on goal (85), stands fifth in points (24) and has posted career highs for goals and points in a season. He has 9-4--13 in the last 14 games.
Clint Lewis Notes: Lettered as a freshman in 2015-16...Missed most of last season due to injury (saw action in six games)...Currently stands third on the Mavericks in plus/minus with a +11 on the year, has 39 blocked shots and 35 shots on goal in 2016-17.
Brad McClure Notes: Two-time letterwinner (2014-15, 2015-16) is in first year as an alternate captain...Posted 5-8--13 numbers while playing in all 41 games as a sophomore... Has racked up 10-10--20 in the last 24 games. The Stratford, Ont., native leads Minnesota State with 127 shots on goal (18th in the nation), stands tied for the team lead in goals (14) and ranks fourth in points with 14-14--28.
Aaron Nelson Notes: Two-year letterwinner was a WCHA All-Academic selection last year...Named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week following two wins at Alabama Huntsville (Jan. 6-7), started six games for the Mavericks Jan. 6-Jan. 21... The Bismarck, N.D., stands 6-2-1 on the year with a 2.53 goals against average and a .898 saves percentage...Has two shut-outs in seven starts in 2016-17...Career-high 35 saves in 4-4 overtime tie at Michigan Tech Jan. 20.
Daniel Brickley Notes: Lettered in first season with Mavericks (2015-16)....Named to 2015-16 WCHA All-Rookie Team...Collected 2-9--11 in 36 games played as a freshman...Two-time WCHA Defensive Player of the Week in 2016-17...Has 8-22--30 on the season which ranks third on Minnesota State's scoring charts. He led all WCHA defensemen in scoring this year (and currently stands 8th in the nation) and stands second on the Mavericks at +13. His 68 shots on goal lead Minnesota State defensemen and he ranks second on the team with 70 blocked shots.
Max Coatta Notes: Lettered in first season with Mavericks (2015-16)...Named to 2015-16 WCHA All-Rookie Team.....Tied for third in the WCHA in rookie scoring with 5-6--11 in 28 league games...Collected 5-8--13 in 36 games played as a freshman...Had 2 goals and an assist in last Saturday's 4-1 win over Alaska...Has 11-15--26 in 72 career games.
Steen Cooper Notes: Lettered in first season with Mavericks (2015-16)...Collected 1-0--1 in 10 games played as a freshman... Scored first career goal in 2-2 overtime tie in WCHA road game at Northern Michigan (Nov. 21)...Enters weekend with 1-0--1 in 16 career games.
Chandler Madry Notes: Lettered in first season at Minnesota State (2015-16)...Had 2-1--3 in nine games played in debut season with Mavericks...Registered first career goal in 2-0 home win over Alaska Anchorage (Nov. 27, 2015)...Also scored in a game at Michigan Tech (Jan. 16, 2016)... Scored his first career game-winning goal in 6-4 victory over St. Cloud State (Oct. 15, 2016), has 3-1--4 in 12 career games.
Jason Pawloski Notes: Lettered in first season with Mavericks (2015-16)....8-2-5 won-loss record with .901 save percentage and 1.85 goals against average in first year of college hockey...Named WCHA Rookie of the Week after backstopping Mavericks to a two-game home league sweep over Alaska Anchorage with a 2-0-0 record, a 1.00 goals against average and a .947 save percentage (Nov. 27-28)...Got his first win of 2016-17 when he stopped 18 shots in Minnesota State's 2-1 win at Lake Superior State, Nov. 5...Named WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this year after last weekend's first-round league play-off series win over Alaska, has started the last three games and owns a 3-0-0 record along with a 0.67 goals against average and a .975 save percentage during that time.
Ryan Schwalbe Notes: Lettered in first year with Minnesota State (2015-16)...Had 0-3--3 in 28 games in debut season with Mavericks while playing both forward and defense...Had 24 shots on goal and blocked eight shots...First career point came in 3-2 win at Ferris State (Nov. 7) when he assisted on a goal by Casey Nelson...Picked up his first point of 2016-17 when he drew an assist on Ian Scheid's goal in 2-2 overtime tie with Lake Superior State. Schwalbe has 0-4--4 in 55 games played, 41 shots on goal and 24 blocked shots for his two-year Minnesota State career.
Alec Vanko Notes: Lettered in freshman season (2015-16)...Registered 0-4--4 and was +3 in 12 games played in debut season with Minnesota State...Scored first career goal in 7-1 win at Alaska (Oct. 21, 2016)...Oregon, Wis., native has 2-1--3 in 12 games played this year.
Michael Bigelbach Notes: Played two seasons with Omaha (USHL) where he served as an alternate captain for the Lancers in 2015-16...Had 2-10--12, along with 105 PIMS with Omaha in 2015-16...Toiled in the North American Hockey League in 2013-14, playing 44 games with Minot (4-10--14) and 18 games with Janesville (0-2--2)...Assisted on Jordan Nelson's game-winning goal in Minnesota State's 2-1 victory at Lake Superior State, Nov. 5...Has 0-2--2 and is +1 in seven games played on the year.
Josh French Notes: Spent two campaigns with Omaha (USHL) where he had 16-32--48 and served as an alternate captain for the Lancers in 2015-16...Led Omaha in points and assists and was named team MVP and Forward of the Year in 2015-16...Made debut for Minnesota State he played in season-opening games with Michigan Tech, Oct. 7 and has played in every game this year...Registered first career point with an assist on Charlie Gerard's goal vs. Bemidji State Nov. 11...Had two assists in 4-2 victory over Lake Superior State (Jan. 27), had an assist in each win over Northern Michigan (Feb. 17-18) and owns 0-6--6 numbers in his debut season with the Mavericks.
Charlie Gerard Notes: Played with three different teams in the USHL in 2015-16 - Collected 10 goals and five assists for 15 points in 26 games with Madison, 3-5--8 in 18 GP with Fargo and 6-4--10 with Muskegon...Totalled 17-16--33 with Madison in 2014-15....Notched first career goal with Minnesota State when he scored in a 1-1 home tie with Bemidji State (Nov. 11) and has 2-2--4 in 26 games played to date.
Edwin Hookenson Notes: Spent three seasons with Nanaimo (BCHL) where he served as an alternate captain for the Clippers and earned team's Coaches Award in 2015-16...Had six goals and 17 assists for 23 points in 58 games in 2015-16...Registered 5-23--28 in 58 games and was named team's Most Improved Player in 2014-15 in helping lead Nanaimo to an Interior Division regular-season title and play-off series victories over Alberni Valley and Powell River and a place in the BCHL championship series....Made his college debut when he played in both games vs. the University of Alaska Dec. 0-2...Has 21 shots on goal and 18 blocked shots in 16 games in debut season with Mavericks.
Marc Michaelis Notes: Two-year USHL vet spent a pair of seasons with Green Bay where he had 10-41--51 in 59 games in 2015-16... A two-time WCHA Rookie of the Week award recipient this year...Leads Minnesota State in scoring with 36 points on 14 goals and 22 assists, has registered the second-highest ever point total by a Maverick freshman for the DI-era. He stands tied for 29th in the country in scoring and is tied for third amongst all freshmen skaters in the nation in scoring. Michaelis has accrued at least one point in 24 of 36 games played in his debut season with the Mavericks.
Nick Rivera Notes: Team captain for Omaha (USHL) in 2015-16...Had 23-18--41 with 132 PIMs and +5 in 48 games with Lancers in 2015-16...Had 14-14--28 and was +12 in 58 games with Omaha in 2014-15 and collected 18-9--27 with Wenatchee (NAHL) in 2013-14...Scored twice and had two assists in earning WCHA Rookie of the Week honors for his play in Minnesota State's two games at Alaska Oct. 21-22)...Earned WCHA Rookie of the Week honors for the second time after scoring the game-winners in both victories over Northern Michigan Feb. 17-18). His goal in Friday's 5-3 victory was also his first career shorthanded tally. Has 6-4--10 in 35 games played in his maiden season with the Mavericks.
Ian Scheid Notes: Played the first five games of the 2015-16 season with Fargo (USHL) before being traded to Sioux City where he had 5 goals and 11 assists for 16 points in 47 games...Spent the 2014-15 campaign with Austin (NAHL) where he registered 12-23--35 in 55 games with the Bruins and was named NAHL All-Rookie First Team...Scored his first career game-winning goal in 4-2 victory over Ferris State (Oct. 28)...Has played every game for Minnesota State in debut season...has 7-16--23 on the year, which stands tied for third amongst all freshmen defensemen in the nation.
Parker Tuomie Notes: Former Sioux Falls (USHL) captain...Had a goal and three assists, along with 10 shots on goal, in earning WCHA Rookie of the Week honors for his role in Minnesota State's two wins over St. Cloud State (Oct. 14-15)...Named WCHA Rookie of the Week following Minnesota State's two games vs. Lake Superior State Jan. 27-28...Tallied first career game-winning goal when he scored Minnesota State's third goal at 3:07 of the third period in 4-2 victory over the Lakers. Also scored at 3:52 of second overtime session in three-on-three action as the Mavericks claimed the WCHA point in 2-2 overtime tilt...Had a four-point weekend on a goal and three assists in the series vs. Northern Michigan with 1-3--4 (Feb. 17-18)...Has 8-10--18 on the year to rank eighth on the team's scoring charts, has been named WCHA Rookie of the Week three times this year. Tuomie had two goals and two assists for a four-point weekend in Minnesota State's sweep over Alaska last weekend.
Noteables: Minnesota State's freshmen have racked up 37-62--99 in 36 contests so far this season and are tied for fifth in scoring in the nation as a group.
As a group, Minnesota State's defensemen are tied for ninth in the country amongst all defensive corps with 25-66--91.
Minnesota State has outshot its opponents in 26 out of 36 games this year and rank eighth in the nation in shots on goal margin at +250.
