2008 Woodie Awards
MSU Men's Hockey Gameday
by Pat Ottum
Issue date: 1/31/08
Section: Mens Sports
WHO: No. 4 Denver Pioneers (18-6-0, 12-4-0 WCHA)
at Minnesota State Mavericks (11-10-4, 5-9-4 WCHA)
WHEN: Friday - 7:37 p.m., Saturday - 7:07 p.m.
WHERE: Alltel Center - Mankato, Minn.
PREVIEW: The Mavericks swept No. 20 St. Cloud State last weekend with a pair of 5-3 victories, with one coming at home and the other coming at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud. With the sweep, MSU found itself in a three-way tie for seventh place in the WCHA standings and are in the hunt for home ice advantage in the first round of playoffs. They host No. 4 Denver this weekend.
FORWARDS: Mick Berge led the Maverick offense for the second straight week as MSU exploded for 10 goals against the Huskies. He scored the game-winner in both victories for MSU and has 4-2-5 in the last four games. Berge leads the team with 14 goals. Jason Wiley was named the WCHA Co-offensive player of the week and recorded 2-2-4 in the series vs. SCSU. He now stands at 7-4-11 for the season. Trevor Bruess chipped in with two assists last weekend, upping his team-leading point total to 20.
DEFENSE: Brian Kilburg topped off the five-goal third period last Friday with an empty-netter that capped an unbelievable comeback for the Mavericks. The goal was his third of the year, and he is MSU's top-scoring defenseman with 10 points. Senior R.J. Linder's first goal of the season sparked that comeback and gave MSU the momentum it needed to take the series from the Huskies. Almost every defenseman had a point against SCSU, and their solid play will be needed yet again against Denver's dangerous offense.
IN NET: Mike Zacharias made several big saves against St. Cloud State as he was solid again in net for the Mavericks. He has started the last 15 games and his steady play will be a big factor against the Pioneers. Zacharias has a 2.12 goals against average and a save percentage of .919. He will likely start both games in net for MSU.
Pat Ottum is a Reporter staff writer
at Minnesota State Mavericks (11-10-4, 5-9-4 WCHA)
WHEN: Friday - 7:37 p.m., Saturday - 7:07 p.m.
WHERE: Alltel Center - Mankato, Minn.
PREVIEW: The Mavericks swept No. 20 St. Cloud State last weekend with a pair of 5-3 victories, with one coming at home and the other coming at the National Hockey Center in St. Cloud. With the sweep, MSU found itself in a three-way tie for seventh place in the WCHA standings and are in the hunt for home ice advantage in the first round of playoffs. They host No. 4 Denver this weekend.
FORWARDS: Mick Berge led the Maverick offense for the second straight week as MSU exploded for 10 goals against the Huskies. He scored the game-winner in both victories for MSU and has 4-2-5 in the last four games. Berge leads the team with 14 goals. Jason Wiley was named the WCHA Co-offensive player of the week and recorded 2-2-4 in the series vs. SCSU. He now stands at 7-4-11 for the season. Trevor Bruess chipped in with two assists last weekend, upping his team-leading point total to 20.
DEFENSE: Brian Kilburg topped off the five-goal third period last Friday with an empty-netter that capped an unbelievable comeback for the Mavericks. The goal was his third of the year, and he is MSU's top-scoring defenseman with 10 points. Senior R.J. Linder's first goal of the season sparked that comeback and gave MSU the momentum it needed to take the series from the Huskies. Almost every defenseman had a point against SCSU, and their solid play will be needed yet again against Denver's dangerous offense.
IN NET: Mike Zacharias made several big saves against St. Cloud State as he was solid again in net for the Mavericks. He has started the last 15 games and his steady play will be a big factor against the Pioneers. Zacharias has a 2.12 goals against average and a save percentage of .919. He will likely start both games in net for MSU.
Pat Ottum is a Reporter staff writer
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