Men’s hockey returns to the Verizon Center

Brady Olson
Staff Writer

Minnesota State scored seven goals on 43 attempts, as the Mavericks rolled over Mount Royal University, 7-3, in an exhibition game at the Verizon Center in Mankato, MN.

Minnesota State is coming off a season where they were #1 in scoring offense, and it didn’t take long to resume their scoring ways. 

Sophomore forward Jared Spooner scored an unassisted goal just 15 seconds into the first period. 41 seconds after that, junior forward Josh French made it 2-0, tipping it in past Mount Royal goalie Wyatt Hoflin. 

The lead would get extended late in the period, with sophomore center Jake Jaremko scoring in the period’s final minute.

The second period got a little chippy, with Mount Royal getting three penalties in the period. The game saw some 4-on-4 action when MRU’s Colton Bobyk and MNSU’s Max Coatta were both tabbed with unsportsmanlike conduct. 

The first MRU goal came at the 3:35 mark in the period, when Ryley Lindgren beat senior goalie Mathias Israelsson. 

The Mavericks would punch back later in the period when junior forward Marc Michaelis poured in the eventual game-deciding goal. 

The period wasn’t over yet, as sophomore forward Reggie Lutz took advantage of a power play with 11 seconds left in the period, giving the Mavericks a 5-1 lead at the break.

MRU wasted no time getting on the board in the 3rd, as Jesse Lees scored 30 seconds into the period. However, MRU couldn’t keep out of the penalty box, eventually ending with eight penalties on the night. 

The Mavs took advantage, as freshman forward Julian Napravnik scored at the 3:24 mark. 

The Mavs would end their scoring barrage a few minutes after that, with senior forward Ryan Schwalbe scoring goal #7 for the Mavericks. 

The game’s final goal came at the 12:59 mark when MRU’s Mitch Lipon beat net-minder Jacob Berger.

MNSU was dominant in faceoffs, winning 42 of 60 faceoffs against Mount Royal. They also did well on defense, allowing only 17 shots on goal and blocking another 13. 

Starting goalie Dryden McKay was the only Maverick goalie to not surrender a goal during the exhibition game, going 6-for-6 on his save opportunities.

MNSU will open the regular season this coming weekend, playing host to 8th-ranked Boston University on Friday and Saturday. Both games will be at the Verizon Center, with the opening puck-drop for both games being at 7:07 p.m.

Feature photo by Gage Cureton | MSU Reporter.