@ Minnesota State (2/5-2/6)
Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2021 12:36 pm
Following our sweep of Michigan Tech, our 8th-ranked Falcons (16-4-0, 5-1-0 WCHA) will head to Mankato, MN to take on the #6 Minnesota State Mavericks (9-2-1, 6-0-0 WCHA) in a clash of league titans. The game Friday will begin at 8:07pm EST, while Saturday's contest is scheduled to begin at 7:07pm EST.
Minnesota State is obviously the class of the conference on a year-in, year-out basis, having won 3 conference tournaments, winning 5 regular season championships, and making 3 NCAA tournament appearances since the birth of the new WCHA . Last time we went to Mankato, we split the series - winning Friday and losing Saturday. They are led by one of the best goalies in the nation, in junior Dryden McKay, who has 6 shutouts in 10 games this year. For us to leave with at least one W this weekend, we'll need to figure out how to score on him - it'll be up to our 6th-ranked offense to keep us in the game by putting some points on the board. The Mavericks have only given up 15 goals all season (12 games), so it's going to be a tough series. When we have opportunities, we have to capitalize on them - period.
Ever since the 2019 WCHA Championship game, where we blew a lead we shouldn't have, this series has felt a little bit more personal. I'd love nothing more than to go up there and absolutely take it to them, but I know we're going to have our hands full this weekend against a great team.
WCHA Standings (games played):
1. Minnesota State - 18 (6)
2. Bowling Green - 16 (6)
3. Michigan Tech - 6 (4)
4. NMU - 6 (4)
5. UAH - 5 (4)
6. Bemidji State - 2 (2)
7. Ferris - 1 (8)
8. LSSU - 0 (2)
Goaltender Stats:
BGSU
Sr. Eric Dop... GAA - 2.09, SV% - .930, 9–3-0
So. Zack Rose... GAA - 1.51, SV% - .930, 7-1-0
Minnesota State
Jr. Dryden McKay… GAA - 0.90, SV% - .954, 9-1-0
Go Falcons - Beat Minnesota State!
Minnesota State is obviously the class of the conference on a year-in, year-out basis, having won 3 conference tournaments, winning 5 regular season championships, and making 3 NCAA tournament appearances since the birth of the new WCHA . Last time we went to Mankato, we split the series - winning Friday and losing Saturday. They are led by one of the best goalies in the nation, in junior Dryden McKay, who has 6 shutouts in 10 games this year. For us to leave with at least one W this weekend, we'll need to figure out how to score on him - it'll be up to our 6th-ranked offense to keep us in the game by putting some points on the board. The Mavericks have only given up 15 goals all season (12 games), so it's going to be a tough series. When we have opportunities, we have to capitalize on them - period.
Ever since the 2019 WCHA Championship game, where we blew a lead we shouldn't have, this series has felt a little bit more personal. I'd love nothing more than to go up there and absolutely take it to them, but I know we're going to have our hands full this weekend against a great team.
WCHA Standings (games played):
1. Minnesota State - 18 (6)
2. Bowling Green - 16 (6)
3. Michigan Tech - 6 (4)
4. NMU - 6 (4)
5. UAH - 5 (4)
6. Bemidji State - 2 (2)
7. Ferris - 1 (8)
8. LSSU - 0 (2)
Goaltender Stats:
BGSU
Sr. Eric Dop... GAA - 2.09, SV% - .930, 9–3-0
So. Zack Rose... GAA - 1.51, SV% - .930, 7-1-0
Minnesota State
Jr. Dryden McKay… GAA - 0.90, SV% - .954, 9-1-0
Go Falcons - Beat Minnesota State!