Minnesota State University Reporter

Issue date: 2/5/08 Section: Mens Sports

Media Credit: Raymond Starin Minnesota State's Andrew Sackrison (left) and Geoff Irwin send Denver's Dustin Jackson to the ice in Friday's 5-1 win for the Mavericks.

When the Minnesota State men's hockey team (13-10-4, 7-9-4 WCHA) visited Denver earlier this season, they were handily swept by the Pioneers. It's unusual to say an experience like that could be a turning point for a team, because usually turning points are positive in nature, but that's exactly what head coach Troy Jutting called that experience.

"The beating they handed us earlier this year, that was the turning point for us," Jutting said. "The guys decided they wanted to be better than that, and they have made a commitment to doing so."

This time, the series would be different.

The Mavericks completed their second consecutive WCHA sweep over a ranked opponent last weekend, beating No. 4 Denver 5-1 and 3-2, and vaulting past Minnesota and Michigan Tech in the WCHA standings. Now they sit only one point behind UMD and Wisconsin, who are tied for fourth.

On Friday night at Alltel Center, the Mavericks completely dominated a Denver team that never seemed to stand a chance. Geoff Irwin put the Mavericks on the board in the first period to give MSU a 1-0 lead after one. Early in the second period, Denver tied the game at one, and Jutting said that's where he noticed a difference in his team.

"Early in the year, a goal like that would have been a downer for us," Jutting said. "Now, the guys have matured, and they fired back."

And fire back they did, with red-hot Jason Wiley putting the Mavericks up 2-1 with his eighth goal of the season.

MSU never looked back.

Andrew Sackrison added another second-period tally and the Mavericks went into the locker room after two leading 3-1. The third period was more of the same for MSU as freshman defenseman Ben Youds notched his first goal as a Maverick, and senior captain Joel Hanson closed out the scoring late in the game to give MSU a dominating 5-1 victory.

Sackrison and line mates Jason Wiley and Geoff Irwin combined for six points on the night.

"We try to keep it simple," Sackrison said after a three-point night of his own." It's nice not having to think about it, we just know where each other are going to be."

On Saturday, the Pioneers came out full of intensity, looking to avenge their loss and gain the split. The Mavericks had other plans, and matched Denver blow-for-blow in another game worthy of highlight-reel-type hits and fast play.

Sackrison continued his point streak, putting the Mavericks up 1-0 late in the first period on the power play. In the second, Hanson scored his second goal of the series and MSU looked to be running away with the series. Later in the period, Denver scored immediately following a power play and looked to be taking the momentum back. The Pioneers took control of the game for the next nine minutes or so, but a stoppage due to a dislodged piece of glass gave MSU a much-needed break.

Jon Kalinski put the Mavericks up 3-1 less than a minute after the delay. The Pioneers scored in the third to cut MSU's lead to one, but the Mavericks held on for the sweep, winning 3-2.

"I thought Denver played a lot better tonight," Jutting said. "They played with heart, and a little bit of desperation."

Defenseman R.J. Linder had three assists on the weekend, and seemed to have a hand in almost every goal of the series.

"I was just shooting for sticks," Linder said. "I thought we did a good job of weathering the storm tonight, and once the storm was over we did a good job of taking advantage."

The Mavericks host Alaska-Anchorage at 7:37 p.m. Friday and at 7:07 p.m. Saturday at the Alltel Center.


Pat Ottum is a Reporter staff writer

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