2008 Woodie Awards
Mavericks find no luck in overtime at UMD
by Pat Ottum
Issue date: 1/15/08
Section: Mens Sports
There were no classes in session at Minnesota State during the past month, but that didn't keep the No. 20 ranked men's hockey team from continuing its success on the ice. While many students relaxed over the long break, the Mavericks men compiled a 4-2-1 record meanwhile, bringing its season record to 9-8-4.
The Mavericks looked to carry their momentum into Jan. 11-12 as they returned to WCHA action, taking on Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs at the DECC. On Friday, MSU jumped out to a 2-0 lead with second-period goals from Zach Harrison and Kael Mouillierat.
After a UMD goal, Geoff Irwin closed out the second period scoring with a goal at 12:08 to put MSU back up by two at 3-1. The No. 19 Bulldogs battled back in the third period and tied the game at 18:49 with the extra attacker. Mike Zacharias made 35 saves, but it was not enough, as the Bulldogs won 4-3 in overtime. Even though they didn't win this game, Troy Jutting remained optimistic.
"The team knows we have to play our game to be successful. If you're in the mix in this league then you know you're playing good hockey," Jutting said.
On Saturday, the Mavericks were the ones mounting the comeback. UMD scored two goals just 17 seconds apart and MSU saw itself trailing 2-0 after the first period.
The majority of the second period was even, but Irwin's tally at 17:48 gave MSU a much-needed momentum boost going into the third period. After suffering an injury that left him with a bloody foot, Trevor Bruess returned to the ice and sent the game into overtime with his goal at 17:56 of the third period.
"On a smaller sheet of ice you have to be hungry and go to the net. Kael and I went hard to the net to create traffic and we ended up getting a goal," Bruess said.
The two teams battled in overtime but neither was able to break the tie and the game ended 2-2. Coach Jutting admires Bruess for his toughness.
"He's incredibly tough," Jutting said. "I told him to finish the script and win the game for us, and he almost did."
Both Jutting and Bruess agree that in the WCHA anything can happen on any given weekend, and for that reason it is easy to put a series behind you and look forward to the next weekend.
"Every series is huge," Bruess said, "and that makes it easy to put a rough weekend behind because you are never out of it in this league."
MSU will host the University of North Dakota Jan. 18-19 in its next action.
Pat Ottum is a Reporter staff writer
The Mavericks looked to carry their momentum into Jan. 11-12 as they returned to WCHA action, taking on Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs at the DECC. On Friday, MSU jumped out to a 2-0 lead with second-period goals from Zach Harrison and Kael Mouillierat.
After a UMD goal, Geoff Irwin closed out the second period scoring with a goal at 12:08 to put MSU back up by two at 3-1. The No. 19 Bulldogs battled back in the third period and tied the game at 18:49 with the extra attacker. Mike Zacharias made 35 saves, but it was not enough, as the Bulldogs won 4-3 in overtime. Even though they didn't win this game, Troy Jutting remained optimistic.
"The team knows we have to play our game to be successful. If you're in the mix in this league then you know you're playing good hockey," Jutting said.
On Saturday, the Mavericks were the ones mounting the comeback. UMD scored two goals just 17 seconds apart and MSU saw itself trailing 2-0 after the first period.
The majority of the second period was even, but Irwin's tally at 17:48 gave MSU a much-needed momentum boost going into the third period. After suffering an injury that left him with a bloody foot, Trevor Bruess returned to the ice and sent the game into overtime with his goal at 17:56 of the third period.
"On a smaller sheet of ice you have to be hungry and go to the net. Kael and I went hard to the net to create traffic and we ended up getting a goal," Bruess said.
The two teams battled in overtime but neither was able to break the tie and the game ended 2-2. Coach Jutting admires Bruess for his toughness.
"He's incredibly tough," Jutting said. "I told him to finish the script and win the game for us, and he almost did."
Both Jutting and Bruess agree that in the WCHA anything can happen on any given weekend, and for that reason it is easy to put a series behind you and look forward to the next weekend.
"Every series is huge," Bruess said, "and that makes it easy to put a rough weekend behind because you are never out of it in this league."
MSU will host the University of North Dakota Jan. 18-19 in its next action.
Pat Ottum is a Reporter staff writer
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
SK
posted 1/15/08 @ 5:44 PM CST
I enjoyed reading your first article Patrick August, I look forward to reading more of your material in the future.
GO MAVS
Post a Comment