The Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) marked the end of an era this afternoon with the announcement that its men’s postseason games will be played entirely on campus sites beginning in 2017. The news, of course, means it’s the end of the line for the WCHA Final Five, once the crown jewel of college hockey’s playoff tournaments, after 33 seasons determining the Broadmoor Trophy winner.

The format change, effective for a minimum of the next three seasons, comes with the full backing of the WCHA’s member institutions according to WCHA President and Men’s Commissioner Bill Robertson.

“We have a unified conference where all 10 schools … played a role in this process and unanimously voted on this outcome,” Robertson said in a conference call on Tuesday afternoon. “This current model, over three years, will assist the conference to better predict revenue streams and expenses.”

As has been the case since the 2013-14 season, the conference’s top eight teams will qualify for postseason play with the top four seeds hosting a best-of-three quarterfinal round series. The similarity to the previous format ends here, however.

The top two remaining seeds will then host a best-of-three semifinal series with the winners advancing to the WCHA Championship game. The single game winner-take-all match will be hosted by the highest seed and, like the Final Five title game, will be played annually on the third Saturday of March.

“There is no greater thrill for hockey fans than watching their favorite team play for a championship on home ice,” Robertson said in a prepared statement released by the league. “Much of what makes the WCHA so special are our passionate fan bases and fantastic in-arena atmospheres, which will only be heightened in a playoff series or in a single game with a championship and NCAA Tournament berth on the line.

“The opportunity to compete for the Broadmoor Trophy in a unique, frenzied atmosphere promises to be a fantastic experience for our student-athletes, our institutions and our fans. We look forward to watching a new WCHA tradition grow and flourish.”

Robertson believes the announcement is monumental and historic for many reasons including better fan access and excitement, enhanced student athlete experience, the potential for increased revenues and a possible boost the Pairwise ranking of participating schools.

“When it’s on campus there’s a better chance for fans to see this up close and personal,” Robertson said. “We thought for the student athlete, for them to play in front of larger crowds, would be an added plus and bonus.”

Bob Daniels, head coach at defending Broadmoor Trophy champion Ferris State University and coaches’ chair for the WCHA Men’s League said it’s too early to tell what impact the changes will have on Pairwise rankings. But he speculates replacing the one-and-done semifinal with a best-of-three format will benefit the higher seeds by reducing the risk of potential upsets hurting bubble teams as was the case with Minnesota State and Michigan Tech in 2016.

“Now even if they get knocked off (in the championship game), they’d be going into that with four wins with a chance to have made the tournament based off the RPI,” Daniels said. “It still could penalize you, though, if there was an upset or if you were to go three games in both those series but we felt like the odds were in favor of helping a team that was on the bubble.”

For the time being, this puts to rest the notion of collaboration between the WCHA and either the Big Ten or the NCHC to stage their respective conference tournaments at the same venue, providing fans with a one-stop postseason environment.

“There was and continues to be good dialogue with (the Big Ten and NCHC) on the potential for a Super Tournament or a Super Championship Saturday down the road,” Robertson said. “I don’t know when that will be. This certainly does not preclude us from continuing to explore that option.”

The WCHA schedule will remain at 28 league games for the 2016-17 campaign, with the regular season concluding the weekend of Feb. 24-25. Robertson admitted, however, the league may have to cut back to a 26-game schedule to accommodate the new format in future seasons.

The post Back on Campus appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Freshman’s three goals lift Minnesota State to Broadmoor Trophy win

St. Paul — Minnesota State freshman forward Brad McClure arrived in Mankato last fall with the nickname ‘Captain Clutch.’

Bestowed on him by former teammates and coaches on his junior team in Penticton, McClure always seemed to score big goals in big games.

With one of the deepest teams in the country, the Mavericks haven’t needed ‘Captain Clutch’ yet this season. But Saturday at the Xcel Energy Center, he made a triumphant return.

McClure netted a natural hat trick in the third period, helping MSU to a 5-2 win over No. 4 Michigan Tech in the championship game of the WCHA Final Five.

The freshman from Stratford, Ont., finished the two-game tournament with five goals and an assist and was named the Final Five’s Most Valuable Player.

“He has a history of scoring big goals and of scoring a lot of them,” Mavericks coach Mike Hastings said. “Brad was very deserving of the MVP; he was very good both nights and I’m glad he’s wearing our jersey.”

The Mavericks needed McClure Saturday too. Down 2-1 after 40 minutes, MSU looked tired and worn out. Minnesota State hadn’t led all night, its power play was sluggish, and its normally rock-solid penalty kill had yielded a pair of goals.

Heading to the third needing one against the stingy Jamie Phillips — just to tie — seemed daunting enough, much less two to win.

But ‘Captain Clutch’ came through.

Jordan Nelson’s goal at 8:08 of the third tied the score, setting up McClure’s heroics over the final half of the period.

His first goal was a heavy snap shot from the right circle that snuck under the cross bar at 11:29.

Almost three minutes later, McClure danced out of the way of a Teddy Blueger shot from the point, redirecting the puck through his legs and past Phillips.

His final goal, a power-play tally like his second, was another deflection with 1:20 remaining.

“There were quite a few bounces that went my way,” McClure said. “It’s always nice to have those. There are some nights where you don’t. Tonight, it was on my stick at the right time and I found the back of the net a couple times.”

McClure’s 15 goals rank second on the team and his 29 points rank fourth.

“He does a good job. He was prepared when he got here,” Hastings said. “He got an opportunity [last summer] to go to Pittsburgh’s Developmental Camp and I think it put him in the right frame of mind.

The hat trick was the first in a Final Five game since 2009 when Minnesota Duluth’s MacGregor Sharp scored three goals against Denver, also in the championship game.

“He can shoot it from the bench as far as I’m concerned,” Hastings said. “He has a release. He likes to do it. He’s good at it.”

McClure has been consistent all season, never going more than three games without a point. But after scoring just one goal in his previous nine games, McClure now has six in his past three — just in time for the start of the NCAA Tournament next weekend.

The win delivered a second consecutive playoff title to the Mavericks, who also hoisted the MacNaughton Cup as regular season champions two weeks ago. MSU is the first team since 2011 to win both trophies in the same season.

“It’s really hard to put into words. Obviously, at the start of the season, it was a goal,” Mavericks captain Chase Grant said. “I think everybody starts out with that goal, but we knew it was realistic. We knew it was going to be hard to do and it’s hard doing it with the target on your back after winning it last year.”

Minnesota State will open the NCAA Tournament next weekend in South Bend, Ind., likely against Atlantic Hockey champion RIT.

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McClure, Williams lead Minnesota St. to shutout win over Ferris St.

St. Paul — Minnesota State had traditionally taken the ice at the Xcel Energy Center as the underdog.

Three losses between the 2003 and 2013 Final Fives, a regular season loss to Minnesota in 2008 and a pair of losses at the first North Star College Cup in 2014 put the Mavericks at 0-7 all-time in the building.

But MSU is the team with the target on its back this season when it’s played at the ‘X’, getting by the Gophers before it was upset by Bemidji State at the College Cup in January.

Yes, the times have changed and the Mavericks are undoubtedly the favorite at this weekend’s WCHA Final Five.

They skated past Ferris State 4-0 in the semifinals Friday night at the Xcel Energy Center.

“Every time we played Ferris State this year, it’s been a really tight game and we had some things work out for us,” MSU coach Mike Hastings said.

“We were fortunate enough to get the first goal and the guy next to me (Brad McClure) did a good job of doing that and the guy next to him (Stephon Williams) did a good job keeping the puck out of the net.”

Williams made 25 saves in his fifth shutout of the season and McClure scored two goals with an assist.

The Mavericks will face Michigan Tech in the championship game at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Xcel Energy Center.

They’ll go for their second-straight postseason championship and hope to improve their all-time record at the ‘X’ to 3-8.

But what matters isn’t the past, it’s now, and MSU is the top-ranked team heading into the final day of conference tournaments with the NCAA Tournament field finalized Sunday morning.

“The No. 1 seed will be figured out tomorrow night,” Hastings said. “I have a lot of respect for what’s facing us tomorrow night. Michigan Tech is as good as any team in the country.”

MSU got on the board at the 12:24 mark of the first period when McClure grabbed a loose puck behind the Ferris State net.

The freshman brought the puck to the bottom of the left circle, turned around and ripped a shot to the far post past Bulldogs goaltender CJ Motte.

“I put some pressure on their D-men and got the puck on my stick,” McClure said. “I pushed it to the slot and threw it on net.”

Williams faced three shots in the first period, but the Bulldogs started to ramp it up after the first intermission, forcing MSU’s junior goalie to make some big saves.

“The defense made my life easier blocking shots,” Williams said. “When you see guys sacrificing the body, it’s extra motivation.”

McClure’s second goal came in the late in the second period when he tipped a Casey Nelson shot from the point that made its way through Motte’s pads.

“When Casey gets the puck, he’s looking to put it to the net and that’s when good things happen,” McClure said. “I was just trying to get some traffic and luckily, the puck went off my shin pad. It was a lucky bounce, but it was good to get that goal.”

Three minutes later with 1:44 left in the period, McClure made the pass to set up CJ Franklin’s eighth goal of the season.

McClure made a move at the blue line before he slid the puck to Franklin, who made a couple of shoulder fakes and sniped the puck over Motte’s left shoulder.

Bryce Gervais added the empty-netter for the Mavericks with 2:03 left in the third period.

Gervais’ goal was the only one not scored by a freshman, for what it’s worth, those freshmen aren’t familiar with the heartache of past defeats at the ‘X’.

“Brad and CJ have been thrust into our lineup since Day 1,” Hastings said. “They came in prepared to play college hockey and they haven’t played like freshmen.”

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Minnesota State takes control of MacNaughton race into final weekend

MANKATO, Minn. — With a 4-2 win against the Michigan Tech Huskies Saturday night at the Verizon Wireless Center, the Minnesota State Mavericks took control of the regular season championship race in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

With one week remaining, the Mavericks lead the Huskies by three points. MSU plays at Bemidji State next weekend while the Huskies play a home-and-home series against Northern Michigan.

One point for MSU next weekend clinches at least a share of the MacNaughton and the top overall seed for the conference playoffs.

Perhaps more importantly for the Mavericks, the victory snapped a three-game winless streak. A first-ever MacNaughton Cup is something coach Mike Hastings and his team have had their eyes on since falling a point shy of sharing the league title with Ferris State last season, but MSU, led by seven seniors, has bigger goals in mind.

“[The goals] remain separate,” Hastings said. “This group has done a good job of focusing on just today. They’ve done a good job of forgetting if yesterday didn’t go well and I haven’t seen them look too far ahead. Hopefully we go right back to that on Monday.”

Over their three-game winless streak (0-1-2) that spanned three weeks, the Mavericks scored three goals total, including one in a 1-1 tie to the Huskies on Friday night. MSU outshot Tech 44-23 and would have had a chance to clinch the regular season championship had they won the game.

The Mavericks fell behind early on Saturday, but tied the game 15 seconds later on a goal by junior Dylan Margonari and didn’t trail the rest of the game.

“We got more than one by [Tech goaltender Jamie Phillips],” Hastings said. “I thought last night, we hit a lot of shin pads and didn’t find lanes. I thought we had a little more traffic in front of him tonight.”

The Mavericks got goals from defensemen Jon Jutzi and Carter Foguth. Casey Nelson and Zach Palmquist had assists.

“They were better at the offensive blue line creating some offense for us,” Hastings said.

The Huskies got out of Mankato with a point largely because of Phillips, who was fantastic on Friday. He was good Saturday too but didn’t get much in the way of help in front of his own net. The four goals allowed was a season-high.

“I believe it,” Hastings said.

Elsewhere around the WCHA:

Bemidji State and Ferris State tied at 1-1. The Beavers took three out of four points in Big Rapids, keeping the Beavers four points ahead of the Bulldogs in the race for fourth place in the league and the final home-ice spot in the playoffs in two weeks.

BSU was helped by Lake Superior State, which scored a 3-0 win over Northern Michigan in Marquette. The Wildcats, which entered the game tied with Bemidji State for the final home ice spot, now trail the Beavers by a point heading into the final weekend.

Alabama-Huntsville was swept at home by Alaska, losing 4-3 in overtime on Saturday. Defenseman Colton Parayko scored 15 seconds into overtime for the game-winner. Alaska is 12-12-2 in WCHA play this season, which would put them in the home-ice mix. But NCAA and school sanctions have prohibited the Nanooks from participating in league playoffs this season. Huntsville, one year after finished 2-25-1 in league play, has seven wins this year and will likely make the WCHA playoffs.

Bowling Green won 4-3 in Anchorage on Friday and is locked into third place in the standings.

WCHA standings heading into the final weekend:

Minnesota State 20-3-3 — 43 points
Michigan Tech 19-5-2 — 40
Bowling Green 15-7-3 — 33*
Bemidji State 11-10-5 — 27

——————————————–

Northern Michigan 11-11-4 — 26
Ferris State 11-14-1 — 23
Alabama-Huntsville 7-18-1 — 15
Lake Superior State 7-18-1 — 15

——————————————–

#Alaska 12-12-2 — 26
Alaska-Anchorage 4-19-2 — 10*

*Saturday result pending
#Banned from post-season play

The post Mavs top Huskies, Cup in sight appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Per WCHA Release —

In celebration of this weekend’s Hockey Day Minnesota, the men’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) is starting the countdown to the next landmark event in the State of Hockey – the 2015 WCHA Final Five, slated for March 20 and 21 at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul. The league today announced the return of the popular “Pick Your Final Five” sweepstakes, an online contest to win tickets to the 2016 WCHA Final Five.

Running today through Monday, March 9, the “Pick Your Final Five” sweepstakes invites fans to predict the four WCHA schools who will advance to the 2015 event, which two teams will advance to the Championship game, which team will raise the Broadmoor Trophy and, as a tiebreaker, how many goals will be scored in three-game tournament. One (1) winner will receive four (4) ticket packages to the 2016 WCHA Final Five, scheduled for March 18 and 19, 2016 at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich.

For full rules and regulations, and to enter, please visit: xcelenergycenter.com/events/detail/wcha-final-five.

Also beginning today and running through Sunday, Jan. 18, the WCHA will offer a special 2015 Final Five “Me Plus Three” ticket offer. Fans can visit ticketmaster.com and enter the promo code “HOCKEYDAY” to purchase four (4) ticket packages for the price of three (3). Each package, affordably priced at $69 apiece, includes a ticket to all three Final Five games at the Xcel Energy Center – the two semifinal contests of Friday, March 20 and the Broadmoor Trophy championship game on Saturday, March 21.

With the league’s jewel event two months away, new national No. 1 Minnesota State leads three WCHA teams ranked in the top-15 nationally (also No. 7 Bowling Green and No. 11 Michigan Tech). The top-ranked Mavericks have a six-point lead in the chase for the MacNaughton Cup, while the Huskies lead the Falcons by a point for second place. Just three points separate a trio of teams – Ferris State, Northern Michigan and Bemidji State – who are jostling for fourth place and the final WCHA home ice playoff spot.

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EDINA, Minn. – Jan. 13, 2015 – Bringing together two of the sport’s top brands in the State of Hockey, the men’s and women’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) today announced a promotional partnership with Minnesota Hockey Magazine.com for the remainder of the 2014-15 season.

Centered around the WCHA’s jewel events, this unique partnership will elevate and promote the women’s FINAL FACE-OFF (held March 7 and 8 at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D.) and the men’s Final Five (held March 20 and 21 at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn.). Minnesota Hockey Magazine.com, the state’s leading Digital Hockey Publication, will highlight the on- and off-ice accomplishments of the WCHA’s member teams, student-athletes and coaches, while also providing ticket specials to the league’s championship weekends.

“With the Final Five returning to Saint Paul, it is a perfect time to collaborate with Minnesota Hockey Magazine.com,” said WCHA Men’s Commissioner Bill Robertson. “We know that Minnesota Hockey Magazine has long been a go-to resource for news and information, and we look forward to seeing the many great stories of the WCHA and our championship tournament come to life.”

Added WCHA Women’s Commissioner Aaron Kemp: “While five of our member institutions are based in the state, the digital platform of Minnesota Hockey Magazine.com allows us another important vehicle to reach WCHA fans everywhere. As we gear up for the premier league championship in women’s college hockey, we are excited for what this partnership will bring the FINAL FACE-OFF.”

Minnesota Hockey Magazine.com, the new online version of its famed predecessor of the same name, features articles, photos and videos from every level of Minnesota hockey – from the NHL to mites.

“We are thrilled to partner with the iconic WCHA at an exciting time for both organizations,” said Scott Tiffany, President and Founder of Minnesota Hockey Magazine.com “The WCHA and Minnesota Hockey Magazine are both known throughout the state for our proud past, while we also share a promising future marked by the same level of excellence.”

For the publication’s coverage of professional, college, prep and youth hockey, visit minnesotahockeymag.com.

About Minnesota Hockey Magazine.com

Minnesota Hockey Magazine.com is a professionally designed digital hockey publication that operates as a one-of-a-kind, comprehensive portal. Launched as a full-color print magazine in 1988, Minnesota Hockey Magazine has a decorated history. Within a few short years it grew in circulation and editorial stature to where it was considered one of the premier hockey publications in North America. Now operating exclusively on an exciting online platform, Minnesota Hockey Magazine.com’s mission is to be the ultimate independent source of Minnesota hockey information and entertainment for those passionate about hockey, both locally and around the globe. Learn more at Minnesota Hockey Magazine.com.

About Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA)

The Western Collegiate Hockey Association, among the most historic, tradition-rich and successful conferences in all of collegiate athletics, proudly marks its 63rd season of men’s competition in 2014-15. Covering five time zones and more than 4,200 miles, the 10-team Division 1 conference consists of the University of Alabama in Huntsville (Chargers), the University of Alaska Anchorage (Seawolves), the University of Alaska (Nanooks), Bemidji State University (Beavers), Bowling Green State University (Falcons), Ferris State University (Bulldogs), Lake Superior State University (Lakers), Michigan Technological University (Huskies), Minnesota State University (Mavericks) and Northern Michigan University (Wildcats). The women’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association has won a record 14 national championships in 15 years since its inception in 1999, while producing six Patty Kazmaier Award winners, 70 All-Americans and numerous Olympic and international team members. The eight-team Division 1 conference consists of: Bemidji State University (Beavers), the University of Minnesota (Golden Gophers), the University of Minnesota Duluth (Bulldogs), Minnesota State University (Mavericks), the University of North Dakota, Ohio State University (Buckeyes), St. Cloud State University (Huskies) and the University of Wisconsin (Badgers).

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The Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) and Commissioner Bill Robertson announced today that FOX Sports North will provide live telecasts from the Xcel Energy Center for all three games of the 2015 WCHA Final Five: Two semifinal contests on Friday, March 20 (beginning at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively) and the Broadmoor Trophy championship game at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 21.

“We are thrilled to partner with FOX Sports North to provide outstanding television coverage of the 2015 WCHA Final Five,” said Robertson. “FOX Sports North has long been the on-air home of the Final Five, showcasing the incredible college hockey traditions, fantastic teams and success of the conference. As the WCHA brings the Broadmoor Trophy back to Saint Paul and the Xcel Energy Center in 2015, we could not ask for a better partner to deliver the best possible viewing experience for our fans.”

“We are pleased to continue our long-standing relationship with the WCHA and offer hockey fans across the region the opportunity to watch the Final Five,” said FOX Sports North Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mike Dimond. “The tournament is one of the highlights of our college hockey schedule on FOX Sports North this season.”

In addition to the Final Five, FSN also announced Wednesday an extensive 2014-15 regular-season television schedule that represents all of the Division I college hockey programs in the region. The 24-game television schedule includes coverage of the North Star Cup and a border battle matchup between the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin on Jan. 17, as part of the network’s ninth annual Hockey Day Minnesota.

The schedule includes Bemidji State University, Minnesota State University-Mankato, St. Cloud State University, the University of Minnesota Duluth, the University of Minnesota and the University of North Dakota.

Coverage begins Friday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m., as Minnesota Duluth hosts Minnesota State.

FOX Sports North’s schedule includes 15 telecasts on the FOX Sports North PLUS channel, which is made available by most cable and satellite providers.

“The local collegiate hockey landscape has undergone recent change, providing FOX Sports North the opportunity to offer fans a well-rounded package of college hockey and new viewing experiences,” Dimond said. “For the first time, we’ll be able to represent all of the D-1 college hockey programs within our five-state viewing area.”

+ airs on FOX Sports North Plus
All Times Central
Schedule Subject to Change

The post FSN To Televise 2015 Final Five And More appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Gervais, Huggins lead Minnesota State to WCHA Title Game

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — It took 15 years and five games, but Minnesota State finally has a win in the WCHA Final Five.

The Mavericks scored twice in the second period and two more times in the third in a 4-0 win against Bowling Green Friday at Van Andel Arena.

Minnesota State entered the Final Five 0-4 all-time in the tournament, including an ugly 7-2 loss to Wisconsin last season. It was an experience coach Mike Hastings said played a big part in their win Friday.

“The guys that are here, we’ve talked about trying to make strides as an overall program,” Hastings said in a phone interview. “I think last year’s experience helped us [Friday]. I think we got taught a lesson by Wisconsin. We got off to a better start.”

The victory was the Mavericks’ 25th this season, establishing a new Division I record originally set last season in Hastings’ first year in Mankato. The win also pushed MSU’s unbeaten streak to 12 games (11-0-1), the longest such streak in over a decade.

“From our end of it, it’s important. We kind of want to keep pushing the envelope and make sure we keep moving ahead as a program,” Hastings said.

After a scoreless first period, the Mavericks got on the board early in the second, taking advantage of a 3-on-2 into the Falcons zone when Matt Leitner saucered a backhand pass to Chase Grant in front, who stuffed in his ninth of the season at 3:52.

Bryce Gervais got the second assist on the first goal but was just getting started. Nine minutes later it was his short-handed forecheck that put MSU ahead by two.

After a Max Gaede elbowing penalty put the Falcons on their third power play of the game, BGSU goaltender Tommy Burke left the puck behind his net for Falcons defenseman Ralfs Freibergs. But Gervais won a race to the puck, raced to the front of the net and slipped the puck into the net before Burke could cover the post.

The goal was Gervais’ 16th of the season and 11th in his last 14 games. He has seven goals and four assists in his last six games and the goal Friday was his third short-handed goal of the season, tied for fourth-most in the country.

“He’s doing things Monday through Thursday that’s allowing him to have the success he’s having right now,” Hastings said. “Doing all the hard work, scoring a short-hander, he’s blocking shots, he’s playing with speed and pace. He’s become somebody who is hard to play against because of his want-to.”

MSU scored on another odd-man rush midway through the third period to open up a 3-0 lead. Sophomore center Teddy Blueger intercepted a pass at the Mavericks’ offensive blue line then floated a pass to Johnny McInnis at the right post, who one-timed a shot over Burke’s glove for his 21st of the season with 9:13 left in regulation.

In between, the Mavericks stifling penalty kill kept the Falcons off the board. Ranked sixth in the country entering the game, MSU went 6-for-6 killing penalties and was able to capture momentum from each kill. They finished the day a plus-1 with Gervais’ shortie.

“I thought it was a difference-maker in the game,” Hastings said. “Anytime you can win that special teams battle and be a plus-1 in the game, that can be the difference.”

Gervais sprung Leitner free for an empty-netter with 1:32 left in the game, Leitner’s 12th goal and 43rd point of the season.

Overshadowed by Gervais’ offensive effort was Cole Huggins in goal. He stopped 13 shots in each the first and third periods and 36 in all for his sixth shutout of the season, also a new school record. The win improved him to 20-7-1 on the year.

“He said he wanted to play better than he did last Saturday [a 5-4 OT win for MSU against Northern Michigan],” Hastings said. “I thought he went out and gave us an opportunity to get a lead, one, and two, to not only sustain it but increase it. You need to have your goalie do that this time of year if you want to move on.”

The win boosted MSU’s chances of making the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team. A loss to BGSU would have almost certainly ended their season, but the win moved the Mavericks to 11th in the Pairwise Rankings. With 11 other games to be played Friday and handful more on Saturday, Hastings said he would rather not leave their tournament hopes to chance. A win in the Broadmoor Trophy game Saturday against either Ferris State or Alaska-Anchorage would deliver an automatic bid into the NCAAs, which begin next weekend.

“We’re not in. So we’ll see what happens tonight,” Hastings said. “Our margin for error over the last month-and-a-half hasn’t been much and it’s no different right now.

“We have a group of seniors excited about what was put in front of them today. I think the guys have done a good job on focusing on what they have control of. They did that tonight and they were rewarded for it. We’ll have to go right back to ground zero and go to work in the morning.”

Dan Myers’ Three Stars

1 – Bryce Gervais

Gervais’ goal to put the Mavericks up by two was a crushing blow for Bowling Green. Down one and on the power play, BGSU had a chance to tie the score midway through the game but Gervais’ effort was a game-changer. He also had two assists.

2 – Cole Huggins

Huggins made 36 saves, several of them of the underrated variety. He was especially important in the first period, stopping 13 shots and keeping the game scoreless through one period.

3 – Teddy Blueger

This could have gone to any number of Mavericks but Blueger’s heads-up defensive play and sweet pass to set up MSU’s third goal sets him apart. A second-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2013, Blueger has quietly put up 20 assists this season.

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