Hockey team charges into weekend ready to battle

Riding a two-game win streak, the Macs look to continue their success at home

Brady Olson
Staff Writer

The Minnesota State Mavericks men’s hockey team is as hot as it can be right now, and as they close in on the WCHA title, they will look to secure a big boost this weekend as they face off against Alabama Huntsville at home this weekend.

The Mavericks are coming off a sweep of Northern Michigan, a team that was threatening to derail the Mavs’ chances of a title repeat. 

In the first of two games, NMU almost succeeded in pulling off the upset. With the Mavericks leading 3-0 heading into the final period, the Wildcats pulled off two quick goals to pull within one. 

But the Mavs had other plans, as freshman goalie Dryden McKay stopped 17 shots in the period, as MSU escaped with a 3-2 victory. 

The second game was a bit more decisive, as the Mavericks took an 8-2 win. 

The Mavericks scored four goals in the opening period, and both Shane McMahan and Dallas Gerads scored twice in the contest. The scoring barrage was aided by MSU’s efficiency on the power play, converting three goals on eight tries.

Alabama Huntsville has had a rough go of it this season. The Chargers currently sit at 6-21-1 and are in eight place in the WCHA. And despite there being eight games left, the Chargers are already mathematically eliminated from the regular season title. 

For UAH it will be another losing season, as the Chargers haven’t seen a record over .500 since 2006.

As of now the Mavericks are eight points ahead of second-place Bowling Green. A sweep over the Chargers this weekend would give the Mavericks a stranglehold on the lead, and any Bowling Green loss or tie would severely damage any serious challenge to the Mavericks’ lead. 

After the Chargers, the Mavericks face doubleheaders against Michigan Tech, Alaska and Bemidji State. The Mavericks are already 5-1 against those three teams this season, with the lone loss coming at Bemidji State. 

The series will take place Friday and Saturday, with the puck drop scheduled for 7:07 p.m. for both the days at the Verizon Center.

Feature photo by Kjerstin Hall | MSU Reporter.