Mavericks take on Bemidji for final WCHA games

Regular season hockey is just about over with for the Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks. The team is currently on a two game winning streak, and will be hosting their last two home games of the season against the Bemidji State Beavers.

These two teams met twice earlier in the season where Bemidji State hosted. The Mavs were able to outplay them on both occasions, and left town with 3-2 victories on both occasions.

MSU will be heading into the weekend with an overall record of 17-10-7, and a conference record of 15-4-7. Bemidji isn’t trailing too much behind, with their overall record being 15-3-6, and a conference record of 10-11-5. The Mavericks are sitting atop of the WCHA standings, and will need two well-played games to finish the regular season in the top spot.

The Mavericks are coming off a four game away schedule. Two weeks ago they traveled to Huntsville, Alabama to face off against the University of Alabama in Huntsville Chargers. The Mavs weren’t able to secure a victory in either outing, but they didn’t lose, and both games ended in a tie.

Last weekend saw the Mavs travel to Anchorage, Alaska where they were pitted against the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. This weekend was much better for the Mavs, and they only allowed one goal in the two games, and walked away with a victory in both.

This weekend’s games could go a long way in positioning for the Western Collegiate Hockey Association tournament that is scheduled to take place next week. The Mavericks are currently seated at the top of the standings, while the Beavers are just out of the top five, sitting at sixth.

Players to watch out for on MSU’s side of things are Bryce Gervais and CJ Franklin who are leading the team with 14 goals each. Gervais is currently has 21 points on the season, while Franklin has 20. Not to be outdone by either, Teddy Blueger is leading the team with 30 points, including 9 goals and 21 assists.

Goal keepers Jason Pawloski and Cole Huggins are having their selves a nice year as well, as both have save percentages over 90 percent. Pawloski is doing just a bit better in the goal averages category with 1.85, while Huggins is just a bit higher at 2.1.

On the Beavers side of things keep an eye on Brendan Harms who is leading the team with a total of 24 points, including 17 assists which is the most on the team. Trailing not that far behind is Gerry Fitzeraled, who has 23 total points, including a team high 13 goals. The Beavers primary goal keeper in Michael Bitzer is currently sitting on a 91% save percentage, as well as 2.06 goals allowed average.

The games are both scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the Version Wireless Center.