Welcome to our weekly college hockey roundup looking back at the world of Division I hockey around the state.
This will be where you can find Saint Cloud State, UMD, Minnesota State, and Bemidji State men’s hockey results and analysis each week throughout the college hockey season.
Its a state full of schools loaded with puck talent, here’s what they managed last weekend.
NCHC SAINT CLOUD STATE: The No. 1 team in the country in the latest USCHO.com poll had a tough weekend, coming out with a loss and tie.
No. 10 Union was the opponent, and the Dutchmen chased SCSU goalie Ryan Faragher from the game halfway through the third period after putting up four goals on the junior goalie. The Huskies managed to get just one by Union goalie Alex Sakellaropoulos, making the final 4-1.
Things looked bleak for St. Cloud State Saturday as well, trailing by two goals entering the final period. But two power play goals in the third, the second coming with just 20 seconds left, saved the Huskies from being swept.
3-3 was the final after a scoreless overtime, and SCSU will surely take a tumble in the national polls and no longer be on top when they come out later today.
WCHA BEMIDJI STATE: The Beavers had the same fate as the Huskies, coming out winless over the weekend while having just a tie to show for their efforts.
The University of Alaska-Fairbanks did BSU in, pounding the Beavers Saturday 5-1, while splitting the conference points in a 3-3 draw Friday.
In the Friday result, Bemidji State was fortunate to come out with any points at all, as Matt Prapavessis scored with 1:40 left in the contest to tie the game.
Andrew Walsh took a beating in goal Saturday, stopping 33 shots, but letting five get past him.
Despite having the second-fewest overall wins in the WCHA, the Beavers still sit third in the league, sharing the spot with Bowling Green at 14 points.
NCHC MINNESOTA-DULUTH: In a battle of the NCHC’s bottom two teams, UMD couldn’t get a sweep over Western Michigan to climb out of the conference cellar.
In front of 6,000-plus Friday at AMSOIL Arena, WMU stormed back from down 3-2 to get a 5-3 win. Matt Mcneely started in net for the Bulldogs, but was pulled for Aaron Crandall after giving up four goals to Western Michigan.
Saturday, UMD rebounded, getting a power play goal, their third of the weekend, midway through the final period to secure a 4-3 win.
With the split, both teams remain tied for last in the NCHC standings, with Miami (OH) also sitting at nine points.
WCHA MINNESOTA STATE: The weekend went as expected for the Mavericks, easily dispatching of Alabama-Hunstville.
The Chargers, who have posted an atrocious 1-17 overall mark this year, actually played the Mavericks even in 5-on-5 hockey Friday, but were burned three times on the power play in a 4-1 loss to MSU.
The exact same 36 words could be said for Saturday’s contest, as the Mavericks got three goals on the power play in a 4-1 win.
Minnesota State has now won their last seven games, resting just four points behind Ferris State for first in the WCHA.
The Gophers were off this week and these teams are done with meaningful play until after the new year (MSU has an exhibition with the U.S. Junior National Team Tuesday), so we will be back with you in 2014.
