You may remember that, two years ago, with the Engineers sitting out for two full weeks waiting to find out what their fate would be, RPI junior Reilly Hamilton, in part spurred by impatient RPI fans, decided to go ahead and calculate what the odds were. We found out after the conference quarterfinals were all over that the odds were actually pretty decent - one week out, the Tute was sitting on an 81% chance of playing in the NCAAs, a result that was borne out by the end.
This year, the calculations are easier (the CCHA has ditched their consolation game, significantly dropping the number of potential scenarios) but the slog is significantly higher.
According to Reilly's calculations this year, (that would now be RPI grad Reilly) the Engineers currently sit at a 20.9488% chance of picking up an NCAA bid.
That's not stellar. But on the other hand, it's actually not that bad when you look at the full collection of at-large bubble teams - underscoring the need to have as few tournament upsets as possible.
So how does it work? We can do the heavy lifting to simply determine what the percentage is on the number of scenarios that put the Engineers in the tournament - the figure is under 10% - but that presumes that each and every scenario is equally likely. Instead, Reilly weights potential scenarios using KRACH, perhaps the best option out there for comparing teams to each other. As he mentions, there's no really good way of using KRACH to determine the odds of a tie, but with only one game left that can end in a tie - the ECAC consolation - it's not an overly major concern.
Here's what it says.
There are seven teams, as we mentioned on Tuesday, that will be in no matter what happens as of right now (teams with no games remaining are in italics):
Quinnipiac (#1)
Minnesota (#2)
Miami (#3-#6)
UMass-Lowell (#3-#10)
Boston College (#3-#10)
North Dakota (#3-#11)
New Hampshire (#5-#11)
Then there are five other teams that are at over 99% in terms of scenarios that have them in. These teams are functionally in the tournament:
Minnesota State (#3-#13)
Denver (#9-#13)
Niagara (#4-#14)
Yale (#3-#14)
St. Cloud State (#4-#15)
So that's 12 teams that are in. The odds of teams on the bubble for an at-large:
Notre Dame - 87.9112%
Western Michigan - 86.8950%
Union - 60.1731%
Rensselaer - 20.9488%
Boston University - 19.7945%
Providence - 18.7914%
Wisconsin - 9.9528%
Robert Morris - 3.1676%
Alaska - 0.0324%
This is where we start to see why it's important to have favorites (especially teams in that 12 team group that are already in the tournament) winning this coming weekend. Especially if we can get losses as soon as possible by BU, Providence, and Wisconsin, the Engineers actually stand a decent chance of being that last team in as long as upsets are kept at a minimum.
For teams that must win their tournament to make the NCAAs:
UConn - 23.5290%
Mercyhurst - 17.4484%
Ohio State - 14.3688%
Canisius - 13.1246%
Michigan - 11.7761%
Brown - 10.3210%
Colorado College - 3.7661%
So, where do we go from here? Well, Reilly has already done the calculations for tonight's WCHA Final Five games.
The most important one, as we expected, was the game taking place at 3pm Eastern time between Minnesota State and Wisconsin. If the Mavericks win, the Engineers will see their odds boosted almost 5%. If the Badgers win, the odds go down over 5%. That makes this one of the weekend's key games.
As far as the Colorado College/North Dakota game, it doesn't seem to be all that important, since the changes are not that big - though for some reason, a Colorado College win provides a small boost, while a North Dakota win provides a small hit. Not overly important, but if that's the case we probably prefer CC, although if UND does win, it helps end the very slight possibility of an upset champion from the WCHA (completely ending it if MSU and UND both win). That should be more important in the long run.
We'll have more updates as Reilly reruns his program after each night's activity.
As for today:
Minnesota State over Wisconsin
North Dakota over Colorado College
It's not an optimal situation, of course - but it's better than being where the other three ECAC quarterfinal losers are now: knowing there's no hope for an NCAA bid.
Go Mavericks!
Showing posts with label minnesota state. Show all posts
Showing posts with label minnesota state. Show all posts
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Monday, October 22, 2012
Men's Hockey - at Minnesota State (19/20 Oct)
One typical hallmark of a young team is the inability to score goals - we saw that in spades at this time last year. If scoring goals isn't a problem, holding leads can be another issue, and that's something the Engineers were surely kicking themselves over all the way home to Troy this past weekend. Despite holding two-goal leads in the third period both Friday and Saturday nights, RPI was forced to settle for a tie on Friday and to swallow an overtime loss on Saturday following back to back blown leads in the final period, drawing 3-3 and losing 4-3, settling for a one point weekend (if this had been a league weekend, of course), instead of taking all four, which were within the grasp.
Friday
Lee-Rogic-Schroeder
Zalewski-Higgs-Tinordi
Neal-Laliberte-Haggerty
Bubela-Miller-Burgdoerfer
Leboeuf-Bailen
Curadi-Leonard
Bradley-Dolan
Diebold
Following on from the relatively successful home weekend against Ferris State, minimal lineup changes were in order. Before leaving for Minnesota, coach Seth Appert told the Troy Record that the team was nursing some relatively minor injuries, and that the lineup would reflect the hope for some good recovery time for those injuries. When the lineup was produced, Mark McGowan was the only starter against Ferris State not in the lineup - he did not play over the weekend in Mankato, but if Appert was accurate in his description, he should be good to go when the ECAC schedule opens in two weeks against local rivals Union (and on three weeks rest, to boot). Johnny Rogic was moved from the fourth line into McGowan's position between Lee and Schroeder, while Mark Miller moved into the center position on the fourth line with winger Greg Burgdoerfer entering the lineup.
Both teams got their scoring started on their first power plays of the game during the first period. Mankato got themselves on the board first a little over halfway through an interference call against Nick Bailen, and RPI responded about four minutes later as Bailen notched his first goal of the year a little under a minute into the Engineers' first advantage.
Throughout the final 10 minutes of the first period, RPI was forced to hold on for dear life as a Bo Dolan penalty was killed off, a penalty shot caused by a Bailen trip on the breakaway was stopped by Scott Diebold, and a Miller interference call was shortly thereafter killed off. Despite the numerous penalties in the first period, RPI got out of the first 20 with a 1-1 tie and an 8-6 edge in shots.
The Engineers put in some very good work in the second period, making that shot total more lopsided by the end of the middle frame. With about three and a half minutes left in the second, Matt Neal put the Engineers ahead with his first goal of the season, making it 2-1 in favor of RPI heading into the third.
Things were looking very good for RPI following Ryan Haggerty's second goal of the season about seven minutes in on the power play to make it 3-1, but the homestanding Mavericks did not back down. Shortly after a timeout called by Seth Appert following an icing call, Mankato pulled to within one a little over three minutes after Haggerty's goal, and with about three minutes left in regulation, tied the game. Minnesota State ended the third period with an 11-6 edge in shots, almost mirroring RPI's 12-6 advantage from the second period.
Both teams had some good opportunities in the overtime period, especially RPI late with a shot by Zach Schroeder just missing, but ultimately RPI had to settle for a second consecutive tie, this one a little worse than the previous one given the Engineers' two goal advantage which was still in place with 10 minutes left to play. Diebold finished with 22 saves on 25 shots to earn the tie. Neal, meanwhile, had a hand in all three of the RPI goals, notching secondary assists on the Bailen and Haggerty tallies.
Saturday
Lee-Rogic-Schroeder
Zalewski-Higgs-Tinordi
Neal-Laliberte-Haggerty
Bubela-Miller-Commers
Leboeuf-Bailen
Curadi-Leonard
Bradley-Dolan
Merriam
Among the other things Appert mentioned to the Troy Record ahead of the trip was that Burgdoerfer and Minnesota native Andrew Commers had earned ice time in practice - and given that the trip was to Commers' home state, it wasn't too shocking to see Commers get his RPI debut in Mankato, replacing Burgdoerfer for the second game. (The team's other MN natives, Schroeder and Dolan, played both nights. Interestingly, all seven of the team's New York natives were in the lineup on Friday.)
Things got rough early on in game two, as Guy Leboeuf was assessed a five minute major and a game misconduct for hitting from behind just over five minutes into the contest, putting RPI short a defenseman for the rest of the game. That put the Engineers on an extended penalty kill, but the Mavericks were unable to score during the major. Late in the period, after a charging call against Mankato, Schroeder scored his first goal of the season on the man advantage to put the Engineers ahead 1-0.
Neal's second goal of the year came during a 4-on-3 power play in the second period caused in part by a five-minute charging penalty against Mankato after Bryce Merriam was run down in the crease. That tally came just seconds into the major, but it would be the only one the Engineers could muster from the long power play, which was in part cut short by a tripping penalty to Matt Tinordi.
The Engineers brought their 2-0 lead into the third period, but that edge evaporated even more quickly than it had the previous night. Minnesota State scored just 62 seconds into the third period to cut RPI's lead in half, then tied it with another goal 2:37 later. The tie ran for a good 10 minutes or so with plenty of back and forth action before a breakaway with just over five minutes to play gave the Mavericks their first lead of the night, 3-2.
RPI did not back down, however. With Merriam off for the extra attacker, Neal scored his second goal of the night and third on the weekend and year to tie the game with 1:36 remaining in regulation, immediately jolting the Engineers back to life.
It was, however, short lived. 1:09 into RPI's third straight overtime, the Mavericks scored off a faceoff in the RPI zone to skate away with the 4-3 victory. The Engineers, about 30 minutes of gameplay away from two wins on a long road weekend instead got just a tie for their efforts.
Upcoming games
02 Nov - #8 Union (Black Friday)
03 Nov - at #8 Union
09 Nov - at Dartmouth
10 Nov - at #17 Harvard
16 Nov - Mercyhurst
Friday
Lee-Rogic-Schroeder
Zalewski-Higgs-Tinordi
Neal-Laliberte-Haggerty
Bubela-Miller-Burgdoerfer
Leboeuf-Bailen
Curadi-Leonard
Bradley-Dolan
Diebold
Following on from the relatively successful home weekend against Ferris State, minimal lineup changes were in order. Before leaving for Minnesota, coach Seth Appert told the Troy Record that the team was nursing some relatively minor injuries, and that the lineup would reflect the hope for some good recovery time for those injuries. When the lineup was produced, Mark McGowan was the only starter against Ferris State not in the lineup - he did not play over the weekend in Mankato, but if Appert was accurate in his description, he should be good to go when the ECAC schedule opens in two weeks against local rivals Union (and on three weeks rest, to boot). Johnny Rogic was moved from the fourth line into McGowan's position between Lee and Schroeder, while Mark Miller moved into the center position on the fourth line with winger Greg Burgdoerfer entering the lineup.
Both teams got their scoring started on their first power plays of the game during the first period. Mankato got themselves on the board first a little over halfway through an interference call against Nick Bailen, and RPI responded about four minutes later as Bailen notched his first goal of the year a little under a minute into the Engineers' first advantage.
Throughout the final 10 minutes of the first period, RPI was forced to hold on for dear life as a Bo Dolan penalty was killed off, a penalty shot caused by a Bailen trip on the breakaway was stopped by Scott Diebold, and a Miller interference call was shortly thereafter killed off. Despite the numerous penalties in the first period, RPI got out of the first 20 with a 1-1 tie and an 8-6 edge in shots.
The Engineers put in some very good work in the second period, making that shot total more lopsided by the end of the middle frame. With about three and a half minutes left in the second, Matt Neal put the Engineers ahead with his first goal of the season, making it 2-1 in favor of RPI heading into the third.
Things were looking very good for RPI following Ryan Haggerty's second goal of the season about seven minutes in on the power play to make it 3-1, but the homestanding Mavericks did not back down. Shortly after a timeout called by Seth Appert following an icing call, Mankato pulled to within one a little over three minutes after Haggerty's goal, and with about three minutes left in regulation, tied the game. Minnesota State ended the third period with an 11-6 edge in shots, almost mirroring RPI's 12-6 advantage from the second period.
Both teams had some good opportunities in the overtime period, especially RPI late with a shot by Zach Schroeder just missing, but ultimately RPI had to settle for a second consecutive tie, this one a little worse than the previous one given the Engineers' two goal advantage which was still in place with 10 minutes left to play. Diebold finished with 22 saves on 25 shots to earn the tie. Neal, meanwhile, had a hand in all three of the RPI goals, notching secondary assists on the Bailen and Haggerty tallies.
Saturday
Lee-Rogic-Schroeder
Zalewski-Higgs-Tinordi
Neal-Laliberte-Haggerty
Bubela-Miller-Commers
Leboeuf-Bailen
Curadi-Leonard
Bradley-Dolan
Merriam
Among the other things Appert mentioned to the Troy Record ahead of the trip was that Burgdoerfer and Minnesota native Andrew Commers had earned ice time in practice - and given that the trip was to Commers' home state, it wasn't too shocking to see Commers get his RPI debut in Mankato, replacing Burgdoerfer for the second game. (The team's other MN natives, Schroeder and Dolan, played both nights. Interestingly, all seven of the team's New York natives were in the lineup on Friday.)
Things got rough early on in game two, as Guy Leboeuf was assessed a five minute major and a game misconduct for hitting from behind just over five minutes into the contest, putting RPI short a defenseman for the rest of the game. That put the Engineers on an extended penalty kill, but the Mavericks were unable to score during the major. Late in the period, after a charging call against Mankato, Schroeder scored his first goal of the season on the man advantage to put the Engineers ahead 1-0.
Neal's second goal of the year came during a 4-on-3 power play in the second period caused in part by a five-minute charging penalty against Mankato after Bryce Merriam was run down in the crease. That tally came just seconds into the major, but it would be the only one the Engineers could muster from the long power play, which was in part cut short by a tripping penalty to Matt Tinordi.
The Engineers brought their 2-0 lead into the third period, but that edge evaporated even more quickly than it had the previous night. Minnesota State scored just 62 seconds into the third period to cut RPI's lead in half, then tied it with another goal 2:37 later. The tie ran for a good 10 minutes or so with plenty of back and forth action before a breakaway with just over five minutes to play gave the Mavericks their first lead of the night, 3-2.
RPI did not back down, however. With Merriam off for the extra attacker, Neal scored his second goal of the night and third on the weekend and year to tie the game with 1:36 remaining in regulation, immediately jolting the Engineers back to life.
It was, however, short lived. 1:09 into RPI's third straight overtime, the Mavericks scored off a faceoff in the RPI zone to skate away with the 4-3 victory. The Engineers, about 30 minutes of gameplay away from two wins on a long road weekend instead got just a tie for their efforts.
Other junk - Following the "one point weekend," the Engineers' vote haul in the weekly USCHO poll dropped from 40 to seven, now ranking 6th among ECAC teams in the poll. Other league teams were #7 Cornell (idle, down one with one first place vote), #8 Union (idle, no change with one first place vote), #17 Harvard (idle, no change), and #20 Quinnipiac (tied and beat Ohio State, no change). Also receiving votes were St. Lawrence (109, just missing a ranking by 7 votes) and Yale (3). Other teams on RPI's schedule this year include #12 New Hampshire (up three, one first place vote), #13 Boston University (down two), and #18 Ferris State (down two). Also receiving votes were Minnesota State (39) and St. Cloud State (12).
Neal is on fire. He's already doubled his point total from last season in just four games, and with eight points, trails only St. Lawrence duo Kyle Flanagan and Greg Carey for the national lead. Laliberte is halfway to his point total from last year with seven points and is tied for fourth nationally in points. Both linemates are among the Top 10 in the nation in points per game.
With Commers and Burgdoerfer making their season debuts over the weekend, the Engineers are down to five players who have yet to make their first appearance after four games: Craig Bokenfohr, Phil Hampton, Travis Fulton, Marty O'Grady, and Jason Kasdorf - though Hampton and Kasdorf did play in the exhibition game.
Scoring is no longer a major concern for RPI... at least, not right now. The Engineers have scored at least two goals in each of their last 12 contests and in 29 of their last 31. Those last 31, it should be noted, followed a start to last season in which the Engineers failed to score at least two goals in 10 of 12 games, which included a stretch of eight games in which RPI scored just five goals. The Engineers have 11 goals in their first four games, they did not reach their 11th goal last year until November 15th, in their 12th game.
As part of that scoring jump, RPI has thus far produced the nation's 4th best power play, clicking at 35.3% so far with a 6-for-17 record. The penalty kill hasn't been too shabby either, as RPI has allowed just one power play goal in four games (Mankato's first goal on Friday) at 12-for-13, a 92.3% success rate.
The Engineers get a rare early-season weekend off next week, but then jump right into the ECAC schedule with the yearly home-and-home weekend against Union to get things going. The Dutchmen are 2-1-0 on the season after an unexpected home loss to Merrimack to start the year, followed by a sweep at Bowling Green. Union is in action next weekend at American International (a rare home non-conference game for the Yellow Jackets, against a Frozen Four team no less) and UConn, so we'll probably be looking at a confident Union squad that has had the opportunity to beat up some lesser teams in the recent past by the time the festivities begin. Friday's game, being the home ECAC opener, is the annual Black Friday game.
RPI at Minnesota State
Non-Conference Game - Verizon Wireless Center (Mankato, MN)
10/19/12 - 8:30pm
RESULT: RPI 3, Minnesota State 3
BOX SCORES
Neal is on fire. He's already doubled his point total from last season in just four games, and with eight points, trails only St. Lawrence duo Kyle Flanagan and Greg Carey for the national lead. Laliberte is halfway to his point total from last year with seven points and is tied for fourth nationally in points. Both linemates are among the Top 10 in the nation in points per game.
With Commers and Burgdoerfer making their season debuts over the weekend, the Engineers are down to five players who have yet to make their first appearance after four games: Craig Bokenfohr, Phil Hampton, Travis Fulton, Marty O'Grady, and Jason Kasdorf - though Hampton and Kasdorf did play in the exhibition game.
Scoring is no longer a major concern for RPI... at least, not right now. The Engineers have scored at least two goals in each of their last 12 contests and in 29 of their last 31. Those last 31, it should be noted, followed a start to last season in which the Engineers failed to score at least two goals in 10 of 12 games, which included a stretch of eight games in which RPI scored just five goals. The Engineers have 11 goals in their first four games, they did not reach their 11th goal last year until November 15th, in their 12th game.
As part of that scoring jump, RPI has thus far produced the nation's 4th best power play, clicking at 35.3% so far with a 6-for-17 record. The penalty kill hasn't been too shabby either, as RPI has allowed just one power play goal in four games (Mankato's first goal on Friday) at 12-for-13, a 92.3% success rate.
The Engineers get a rare early-season weekend off next week, but then jump right into the ECAC schedule with the yearly home-and-home weekend against Union to get things going. The Dutchmen are 2-1-0 on the season after an unexpected home loss to Merrimack to start the year, followed by a sweep at Bowling Green. Union is in action next weekend at American International (a rare home non-conference game for the Yellow Jackets, against a Frozen Four team no less) and UConn, so we'll probably be looking at a confident Union squad that has had the opportunity to beat up some lesser teams in the recent past by the time the festivities begin. Friday's game, being the home ECAC opener, is the annual Black Friday game.
RPI at Minnesota State
Non-Conference Game - Verizon Wireless Center (Mankato, MN)
10/19/12 - 8:30pm
RESULT: RPI 3, Minnesota State 3
BOX SCORES
RECORD: 1-0-2 (0-0-0 ECAC)
RPI at Minnesota State
Non-Conference Game - Verizon Wireless Center (Mankato, MN)
10/20/12 - 8:00pm
RESULT: Minnesota State 4, RPI 3 (OT)
BOX SCORES
Non-Conference Game - Verizon Wireless Center (Mankato, MN)
10/20/12 - 8:00pm
RESULT: Minnesota State 4, RPI 3 (OT)
BOX SCORES
RECORD: 1-1-2 (0-0-0 ECAC)
Upcoming games
02 Nov - #8 Union (Black Friday)
03 Nov - at #8 Union
09 Nov - at Dartmouth
10 Nov - at #17 Harvard
16 Nov - Mercyhurst
Friday, October 19, 2012
On the Wing
Ah, October. In the ECAC, it means one of two things - you're either waiting another four weeks for hockey to start, or you're off on at least one long trip, depending on which side of the Ivy divide you fall on. For the men, it's time for the yearly long October trip.
As dismal as last October was for RPI, the home series against Minnesota State was actually a fairly bright spot. After peppering Austin Lee with 36 shots in Game 1 only to fall 1-0 (that one goal practically coming at the death), a relative offensive outburst took place in Game 2 as RPI picked up a 4-1 victory - the only time the Engineers would clear three goals until December 2 and the only time notching four until January 27. But Minnesota State, ultimately, was a lot like RPI last year, which means they could be a lot like RPI this year, too. They are without the goaltender that earned them the big shutout last time, but it's now on their turf. Should be interesting to see the Engineers' first ever trip to Mankato, MN.
On the women's side, it's a short weekend as one non-conference home game against the Dutchwomen is all they've got. It's time to see just what Union has, as they're no longer the instant pushovers they have been for so many years. Last year, Union finished outside of the basement for the first time since their move to Division I (they managed 11th), so while the Engineers are almost certainly still favorites, it's going to require a little more work than past teams had to put in against the little sisters from Schenectady.
Clear eyes, full heart.
As dismal as last October was for RPI, the home series against Minnesota State was actually a fairly bright spot. After peppering Austin Lee with 36 shots in Game 1 only to fall 1-0 (that one goal practically coming at the death), a relative offensive outburst took place in Game 2 as RPI picked up a 4-1 victory - the only time the Engineers would clear three goals until December 2 and the only time notching four until January 27. But Minnesota State, ultimately, was a lot like RPI last year, which means they could be a lot like RPI this year, too. They are without the goaltender that earned them the big shutout last time, but it's now on their turf. Should be interesting to see the Engineers' first ever trip to Mankato, MN.
On the women's side, it's a short weekend as one non-conference home game against the Dutchwomen is all they've got. It's time to see just what Union has, as they're no longer the instant pushovers they have been for so many years. Last year, Union finished outside of the basement for the first time since their move to Division I (they managed 11th), so while the Engineers are almost certainly still favorites, it's going to require a little more work than past teams had to put in against the little sisters from Schenectady.
Clear eyes, full heart.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Know Your Enemy: Minnesota State
As part of last year's early season gauntlet, the Engineers took on Minnesota State for the first time in school history, and it was against the Mavericks that RPI picked up what would be their only victory in their first 11 outings. This year, the Engineers return the favor by heading out to Minnesota for the first of what will be two trips to the Land of 10,000 Lakes this season, appearing in Mankato for the first time to take on a program in transition.
Minnesota State
Nickname: Mavericks
Location: Mankato, MN
Founded: 1867
Conference: WCHA
National Championships: 1 (1980, Division II)
Last NCAA Appearance: 2003
Last Frozen Four: 1991 (Division III)
Coach: Mike Hastings (1st season)
2011-12 Record: 12-24-2 (8-18-2 WCHA, 11th place)
Series: Tied, 1-1-0
First Game: October 7, 2011 (Troy, NY)
Last RPI win: October 8, 2011 (Troy, NY)
Last MSU-M win: October 7, 2011 (Troy, NY)
2012-13 games: October 19-20, 2012 (Mankato, MN)
Key players: F Eriah Hayes, sr.; D Evan Mosey, sr.; G Phil Cook, sr.; D Tyler Elbrecht, sr.; F Eli Zuck, sr.; F Zach Lehrke, jr.; F Johnny McInnis, jr.; F Matt Leitner, so.; F Jean-Paul Lafontaine, so.; F Max Gaede, so.; D Zach Palmquist, so.; F Bryce Gervais, fr.; D Nick Buchanan, fr.
Previous KYE installment:
Minnesota State
Nickname: Mavericks
Location: Mankato, MN
Founded: 1867
Conference: WCHA
National Championships: 1 (1980, Division II)
Last NCAA Appearance: 2003
Last Frozen Four: 1991 (Division III)
Coach: Mike Hastings (1st season)
2011-12 Record: 12-24-2 (8-18-2 WCHA, 11th place)
Series: Tied, 1-1-0
First Game: October 7, 2011 (Troy, NY)
Last RPI win: October 8, 2011 (Troy, NY)
Last MSU-M win: October 7, 2011 (Troy, NY)
2012-13 games: October 19-20, 2012 (Mankato, MN)
Key players: F Eriah Hayes, sr.; D Evan Mosey, sr.; G Phil Cook, sr.; D Tyler Elbrecht, sr.; F Eli Zuck, sr.; F Zach Lehrke, jr.; F Johnny McInnis, jr.; F Matt Leitner, so.; F Jean-Paul Lafontaine, so.; F Max Gaede, so.; D Zach Palmquist, so.; F Bryce Gervais, fr.; D Nick Buchanan, fr.
Previous KYE installment:
When your top two scorers are freshmen, you're probably having a difficult season - just ask the 2007-08 Engineers. Minnesota State's seniors certainly underwhelmed offensively last year, contributing to the team's continuing offensive woes as no player reached 30 points for the season for the third consecutive campaign (not, of course, that RPI has much to say on that, with Brock Higgs' 23 leading the team last season). The offensive problems were likely a contributing factor to Troy Jutting losing his job after 12 seasons in Mankato.
The good news is that the Mavericks did get solid freshman campaigns from those top two scorers, Leitner and Lafontaine. Hayes, Lehrke, and Lafontaine tied for the team lead in goals with 13 each, so at the very least the MSU offense can boast a little bit of flexibility with who can put the puck in the net, even if they needed to do it with more frequency to be successful last year.
Last year, Mankato rode an outstanding goaltending performance from senior Austin Lee, who picked up 36 saves for his only career shutout, to swipe a 1-0 victory in the first game between the two programs. The Engineers fared better in game 2 against Cook, scoring four times on the soon-to-be senior, an offensive mark they would not reach again until the end of January. Cook's numbers on the season overall were pedestrian to say the least at 3.55 and .887. The Mavericks are going to need more out of Cook if they are to make strides from last year.
Replacing Jutting behind the bench is Mike Hastings, who has long been expected to take the reins of a Division I program. After 14 years as the head coach of the USHL's Omaha Lancers (winning three championships and never helming a losing season), Hastings replaced long-time Don Lucia lieutenant Mike Guentzel at Minnesota in 2008, leaving one year later to return to Nebraska and become Dean Blais' top assistant at Nebraska-Omaha, where he has been for the last three seasons.
Hastings has proven himself to be an outstanding head coach and four years under the tutelage of two of the greatest college hockey coaches in recent history certainly help his pedigree. How quickly he can turn things around in Mankato, however, remains to be seen, since it's hard to get a bead on what to expect from new coaches. Rick Bennett took over at Union last year and brought them to the Frozen Four, but the cupboard wasn't exactly bare when he took control of a team he knew well as a former assistant. In Lowell, Norm Bazin brought the River Hawks to the NCAA tournament in a season in which they were expected to be lousy. On the flip side, Bob Prier had a rough first season at Princeton.
At any rate, Hastings comes to Mankato just in time for the final season with the powers of the WCHA, which will pretty much all leave for either the Big Ten or the NCHC in 2013. He could be in an excellent position to help mold a new era for the Mavericks in which they can be more than just contenders in the new WCHA.
The good news is that the Mavericks did get solid freshman campaigns from those top two scorers, Leitner and Lafontaine. Hayes, Lehrke, and Lafontaine tied for the team lead in goals with 13 each, so at the very least the MSU offense can boast a little bit of flexibility with who can put the puck in the net, even if they needed to do it with more frequency to be successful last year.
Last year, Mankato rode an outstanding goaltending performance from senior Austin Lee, who picked up 36 saves for his only career shutout, to swipe a 1-0 victory in the first game between the two programs. The Engineers fared better in game 2 against Cook, scoring four times on the soon-to-be senior, an offensive mark they would not reach again until the end of January. Cook's numbers on the season overall were pedestrian to say the least at 3.55 and .887. The Mavericks are going to need more out of Cook if they are to make strides from last year.
Replacing Jutting behind the bench is Mike Hastings, who has long been expected to take the reins of a Division I program. After 14 years as the head coach of the USHL's Omaha Lancers (winning three championships and never helming a losing season), Hastings replaced long-time Don Lucia lieutenant Mike Guentzel at Minnesota in 2008, leaving one year later to return to Nebraska and become Dean Blais' top assistant at Nebraska-Omaha, where he has been for the last three seasons.
Hastings has proven himself to be an outstanding head coach and four years under the tutelage of two of the greatest college hockey coaches in recent history certainly help his pedigree. How quickly he can turn things around in Mankato, however, remains to be seen, since it's hard to get a bead on what to expect from new coaches. Rick Bennett took over at Union last year and brought them to the Frozen Four, but the cupboard wasn't exactly bare when he took control of a team he knew well as a former assistant. In Lowell, Norm Bazin brought the River Hawks to the NCAA tournament in a season in which they were expected to be lousy. On the flip side, Bob Prier had a rough first season at Princeton.
At any rate, Hastings comes to Mankato just in time for the final season with the powers of the WCHA, which will pretty much all leave for either the Big Ten or the NCHC in 2013. He could be in an excellent position to help mold a new era for the Mavericks in which they can be more than just contenders in the new WCHA.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Tentative Men's 2012-13 Schedule
RPI's tentative 2012-13 schedule has been released in mailers to season ticket holders. Game times are 7pm unless otherwise indicated. ECAC games are starred.
October
Saturday, 6 October - Acadia (Exhibition)
Friday, 12 October - Ferris State
Saturday, 13 October - Ferris State
Friday, 19 October - at Minnesota State
Saturday, 20 October - at Minnesota State
Friday, 26 October - Western Michigan
Saturday, 27 October - Western Michigan
November
Friday, 02 November - Union* (Black Friday)
Saturday, 03 November - at Union*
Friday, 09 November - at Dartmouth*
Saturday, 10 November - at Harvard*
Friday, 16 November - Mercyhurst
Saturday, 17 November - Mercyhurst
Friday, 30 November - Princeton*
December
Saturday, 01 December - Quinnipiac*
Friday, 07 December - at Yale*
Saturday, 08 December - at Brown*
Monday, 31 December - Sacred Heart, 4pm
January
Friday, 04 January - at Boston University
Sunday, 06 January - at New Hampshire, 4pm
Friday, 11 January - at Quinnipiac*
Saturday, 12 January - at Princeton, 4pm*
Friday, 18 January - Colgate*
Saturday, 19 January - Cornell*
Saturday, 26 January - vs. Union (site TBD)
February
Friday, 01 February - Harvard*
Saturday, 02 February - Dartmouth*
Friday, 08 February - at St. Lawrence*
Saturday, 09 February - at Clarkson*
Friday, 15 February - Brown*
Saturday, 16 February - Yale*
Friday, 22 February - at Cornell*
Saturday, 23 February - at Colgate*
March
Friday, 01 March - Clarkson*
Saturday, 02 March - St. Lawrence* (Senior Night)
Fri-Sun, 08-10 March - ECAC First Round (at higher seeds)
Fri-Sun, 15-17 March - ECAC Quarterfinals (at higher seeds)
Friday, 22 March - ECAC Semifinals (Atlantic City, NJ)
Saturday, 23 March - ECAC Championship (Atlantic City, NJ)
Fri-Sun, 29-31 March - NCAA Regionals (Providence, RI; Manchester, NH; Toledo, OH; Grand Rapids, MI)
April
Thursday, 11 April - NCAA Frozen Four (Pittsburgh, PA)
Saturday, 13 April - NCAA Championship (Pittsburgh, PA)
This may be subject to change, especially if the Engineers end up hosting St. Cloud State, as the recent rumor out of Central Minnesota indicated. They do, however, have all 34 regular season games covered at present.
It is suspected that the third Union game may take place at the Times Union Center in Albany, subject to the AHL schedule for the Albany Devils.
The 36th Freakout! is likely to take place against either Dartmouth or Yale.
Unless something changes, or the Engineers reach the NCAA Tournament, Western Michigan will be the last CCHA team to face RPI. They would be favorites to also be the first NCHC team to face RPI in 2013-14 given the Engineers' almost certain return trip that season, unless fellow NCHCers St. Cloud State are also on the schedule that season.
The women's schedule generally isn't known until late in the summer, but based on previous schedules we can estimate that they will open the season with an exhibition in the afternoon on September 29, and should probably have non-conference weekends at Syracuse and Robert Morris and one at home against UConn. RPI has had four straight seasons of non-conference weekends against Niagara, it is unknown if that will continue.
Expect the women's season to wrap up the weekend of February 22/23. The 2013 Women's Frozen Four takes place at Ridder Arena on the campus of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN, taking place March 22 and 24.
October
Saturday, 6 October - Acadia (Exhibition)
Friday, 12 October - Ferris State
Saturday, 13 October - Ferris State
Friday, 19 October - at Minnesota State
Saturday, 20 October - at Minnesota State
Friday, 26 October - Western Michigan
Saturday, 27 October - Western Michigan
November
Friday, 02 November - Union* (Black Friday)
Saturday, 03 November - at Union*
Friday, 09 November - at Dartmouth*
Saturday, 10 November - at Harvard*
Friday, 16 November - Mercyhurst
Saturday, 17 November - Mercyhurst
Friday, 30 November - Princeton*
December
Saturday, 01 December - Quinnipiac*
Friday, 07 December - at Yale*
Saturday, 08 December - at Brown*
Monday, 31 December - Sacred Heart, 4pm
January
Friday, 04 January - at Boston University
Sunday, 06 January - at New Hampshire, 4pm
Friday, 11 January - at Quinnipiac*
Saturday, 12 January - at Princeton, 4pm*
Friday, 18 January - Colgate*
Saturday, 19 January - Cornell*
Saturday, 26 January - vs. Union (site TBD)
February
Friday, 01 February - Harvard*
Saturday, 02 February - Dartmouth*
Friday, 08 February - at St. Lawrence*
Saturday, 09 February - at Clarkson*
Friday, 15 February - Brown*
Saturday, 16 February - Yale*
Friday, 22 February - at Cornell*
Saturday, 23 February - at Colgate*
March
Friday, 01 March - Clarkson*
Saturday, 02 March - St. Lawrence* (Senior Night)
Fri-Sun, 08-10 March - ECAC First Round (at higher seeds)
Fri-Sun, 15-17 March - ECAC Quarterfinals (at higher seeds)
Friday, 22 March - ECAC Semifinals (Atlantic City, NJ)
Saturday, 23 March - ECAC Championship (Atlantic City, NJ)
Fri-Sun, 29-31 March - NCAA Regionals (Providence, RI; Manchester, NH; Toledo, OH; Grand Rapids, MI)
April
Thursday, 11 April - NCAA Frozen Four (Pittsburgh, PA)
Saturday, 13 April - NCAA Championship (Pittsburgh, PA)
This may be subject to change, especially if the Engineers end up hosting St. Cloud State, as the recent rumor out of Central Minnesota indicated. They do, however, have all 34 regular season games covered at present.
It is suspected that the third Union game may take place at the Times Union Center in Albany, subject to the AHL schedule for the Albany Devils.
The 36th Freakout! is likely to take place against either Dartmouth or Yale.
Unless something changes, or the Engineers reach the NCAA Tournament, Western Michigan will be the last CCHA team to face RPI. They would be favorites to also be the first NCHC team to face RPI in 2013-14 given the Engineers' almost certain return trip that season, unless fellow NCHCers St. Cloud State are also on the schedule that season.
The women's schedule generally isn't known until late in the summer, but based on previous schedules we can estimate that they will open the season with an exhibition in the afternoon on September 29, and should probably have non-conference weekends at Syracuse and Robert Morris and one at home against UConn. RPI has had four straight seasons of non-conference weekends against Niagara, it is unknown if that will continue.
Expect the women's season to wrap up the weekend of February 22/23. The 2013 Women's Frozen Four takes place at Ridder Arena on the campus of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN, taking place March 22 and 24.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Men's Hockey - Minnesota State (7/8 Oct)
The season officially got underway this past weekend with a pair of home games against a WCHA opponent, the first time that's happened since November 2003, when St. Cloud State visited for a pair of non-league games. This time, the opponent was Minnesota State, a program which the Engineers had never faced before. The Mavericks were picked in both the media and coaches polls to finish 11th in the 12 team league, so there was a bit of optimism that the Engineers might be able to get out of the gate quickly. They did, but were unable to finish on Friday (hindered in part by a hot goaltender) and had to settle for a weekend split, falling 1-0 late in the Friday game before bouncing back for a 4-1 victory on Saturday night.
Friday
Cullen/O'Grady/Haggerty
Friday
Cullen/O'Grady/Haggerty
Laliberte/Higgs/Lee
Tinordi/Malchuk/Rabbani
Koudys/Bergin
Leboeuf/Bailen
Diebold
Angers-Goulet/Neal/Schroeder
Koudys/Bergin
Leboeuf/Bailen
Leonard/Dolan
Diebold
Greg Burgdoerfer and Mark McGowan were ruled out of this game due to injuries, while Bryce Merriam was considered questionable before ultimately dressing as the backup. Otherwise, the line sheets were almost the same as they had been against Acadia with the exception of the extra skaters.
The story of Friday's game was mostly of the goaltending, as Scott Diebold and Minnesota State's Austin Lee put on a show. The Engineers controlled play for much of the game and peppered Lee with shots throughout - especially in the third period - but simply could not gain a leg up on the Mavericks.
In stark contrast to their 5-for-7 power play performance against Acadia, the Engineers' power play was completely shut down on Friday, finishing without a single goal in 10 opportunities with the man advantage. That's not to say that RPI wasn't taking their chances, especially many of the younger players. Ryan Haggerty did everything but score for RPI, once hitting the post and once being robbed on the doorstep by Lee. The freshman forward had six shots on goal to lead RPI, Nick Bailen had four, while Patrick Cullen, Jacob Laliberte, Brock Higgs, Matt Neal and Mike Bergin all had three a piece, many in decent opportunities to put the puck in the net. Each time, they simply couldn't place the puck where they needed to, or Lee came up with a fantastic save.
Diebold was doing very well in more limited action at the other end of the ice as well. On more than one occasion, the freshman kept the Engineers from giving up the first goal with some brilliant play, including some outstanding lateral movement through the crease. Again, many observers compared his play to that of Allen York, with the main exception being a lack of proclivity for wandering out of the crease to play the puck.
Ultimately, as many of these games tend to conclude, the winning goal came on a very bad defensive play, and the responsible party, somewhat shockingly, was Bailen, RPI's returning All-American. A bad pass during a late four-on-four ended up on the stick of MSU's Eriah Hayes, who was in the zone with Cameron Cooper and only Bailen and Diebold to beat. Hayes' shot was kept out of the net by a brilliant save from Diebold, but the rebound bounced directly to Cooper, and Diebold's save left him unable to get to Cooper's shot (although he certainly tried), which went in just under the crossbar with 1:22 remaining in regulation.
Diebold was pulled for the extra skater almost immediately, but the five-on-four became a five-on-five just 22 seconds later, and the Engineers spent most of their time trying to keep the puck out of the empty net. They were successful in that task, but still had to swallow the pain of a late-goal loss.
Saturday
Rogic/Malchuk/Rabbani
Rogic/Malchuk/Rabbani
Lee/O'Grady/Schroeder
Cullen/Higgs/Haggerty
Laliberte/Angers-Goulet/Smith
Leonard/Bergin
Leboeuf/Bailen
Curadi/Koudys
Merriam
The next day, Johnny Rogic got his first taste of the ice, replacing Matt Tinordi on the grind line, while Luke Curadi replaced Bo Dolan in the lineup. With assistant captain Justin Smith joining in as well and Bryce Merriam deemed healthy enough to get the start, the Engineers already have just two players - Mark McGowan and Jeremy Coupal - who haven't seen the ice at all this season.
Minnesota State also switched things up in net, turning on Saturday to Phil Cook, and replacing captain Tyler Elbrecht, who suffered a broken arm in Friday's game.
Unlike Friday's game, we didn't have to wait until the 59th minute of the game to get the first goal. 11 minutes in, Minnesota State went up 1-0 on a goal by Johnny McInnis. The Mavericks outshot the Engineers for the first and only time on the weekend in the 1st period, but Bryce Merriam showed early that he was up to the task of being RPI's top goaltender by stopping 12 out of 13 in the opening frame.
If you had Guy Leboeuf in the pool for RPI's first scorer of the season, you're weird, but that's exactly who finally landed the Engineers' first tally with a blistering slapper from the top of the faceoff circle in the final minute of the first, tying the score at one heading into the intermission.
The second period got off with a bang, as well as groans from the RPI faithful. 15 seconds in, a scrum in front of the Mankato net caused by a quick stop in front of the goaltender by speedy Johnny Rogic somehow resulted in a two minute five-on-three for the Mavericks - and RPI backers will be unsurprised to learn that Bryan Hicks was in the stripes for this one. Despite a number of long and difficult defensive situations in the RPI zone, the Engineers held firm, and kept the game tied by the end of the penalties.
Mankato would get a tough call in their direction as well just a couple of minutes later, as Eriah Hayes was sent to the dressing room early for a contact-to-the-head penalty, which is an area of emphasis this season. That put RPI on a five minute power play, and they capitalized late in that long advantage with a goal from the power play quarterback, Nick Bailen, putting the Engineers up 2-1.
In the final minute of the period, a fortuitous bounce gave RPI some insurance. With the puck heading to the back of the net, Cook went back to retrieve it and tried to clear the zone himself, but it ended up on Joel Malchuk's stick, who quickly fired it into the open net before Cook could return to give the Engineers a 3-1 lead at the second intermission.
A holding penalty against Cameron Cooper in the third period led to RPI's second power play tally of the night when Pat Koudys ripped a laser from near the blue line that managed to evade everyone and everything in front to find the back of the net and give the Engineers a rock-solid 4-1 edge that they would not relinquish.
Bryce Merriam, just as Scott Diebold had the night before, looked very comfortable in net, and RPI appears to have two fantastic options in goal behind a set of blueliners that not only was very capable in allowing just one goal each night, but showed ability in shooting from the outside as well with three of RPI's four goals coming from defensemen.
The Engineers now hit the road for three straight games in the midwest, starting this coming weekend at Seth Appert's alma mater, Ferris State. The Bulldogs had a solid year last season and got their season started with a weekend sweep in Canton against St. Lawrence. They're part of a difficult set of upcoming games that will challenge the team in advance of the start of league games at the beginning of November.
Other junk - With the split weekend, the Engineers fell to the edge of the USCHO poll, staying in at number 20, just a few votes ahead of ECAC rivals Colgate, who impressed by winning the Maverick Stampede in Omaha with victories over Robert Morris and Nebraska-Omaha. Ranked ECAC teams are #10 Yale (idle, down one with one first place vote), #11 Union (beat Army, no change), and #19 Cornell (idle, up one). Other ranked teams on the RPI schedule are #2 Notre Dame (split with Minnesota-Duluth, down one with seven first place votes) and #7 Colorado College (idle, no change). Colgate (71 votes), Ferris State (60), Dartmouth (31), RIT (8), Harvard (6), Quinnipiac (3), and Minnesota State (2) each received consideration this week.
On injuries, with Merriam and Haggerty already returning to action, the word is that Burgdoerfer and McGowan will be able to return in the near future, with the Colorado College weekend at the end of the month eyed as the potential return point for both players.
Also, it's worth pointing out that the reported "eighth defenseman" position was not filled before the season began. It had been expected that a walk-on would join the team in an emergency role.
Minnesota State at #18 RPI
Non-Conference Game - Houston Field House (Troy, NY)
10/7/11 - 7:00pm
RESULT: Minnesota State 1, RPI 0
BOX SCORES
Minnesota State at #18 RPI
Non-Conference Game - Houston Field House (Troy, NY)
10/7/11 - 7:00pm
RESULT: Minnesota State 1, RPI 0
BOX SCORES
RECAPS
VIDEO
RECORD: 0-1-0 (0-0-0 ECAC)
Reale Deals
Reale Deals
1. G Scott Diebold, 19 saves
2. F Ryan Haggerty, 6 shots
3. F Brock Higgs, 3 shots
Minnesota State at #18 RPI
Non-Conference Game - Houston Field House (Troy, NY)
10/8/11 - 7:00pm
RESULT: RPI 4, Minnesota State 1
BOX SCORES
Non-Conference Game - Houston Field House (Troy, NY)
10/8/11 - 7:00pm
RESULT: RPI 4, Minnesota State 1
BOX SCORES
RECAPS
VIDEO
RECORD: 1-1-0 (0-0-0 ECAC)
Reale Deals
Reale Deals
1. F Ryan Haggerty, 2 A, 5 shots
2. G Bryce Merriam, 31 saves
3. D Guy Leboeuf, 1 G, 3 shots
Upcoming games
14 Oct - at Ferris State
15 Oct - at Ferris State
21 Oct - at #2 Notre Dame
14 Oct - at Ferris State
15 Oct - at Ferris State
21 Oct - at #2 Notre Dame
28 Oct - #7 Colorado College
29 Oct - #7 Colorado College
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Game #2: Minnesota State
We're back with live coverage of the second game of the weekend series with the Mavericks. Yesterday's game was a bit of a heartbreaker, but we saw a lot of good things out of the Engineers. They just need to finish!
Still working out the kinks of our live coverage, but we hope you'll come by and check it out when it gets underway at about 6pm - with the game scheduled to start at seven.
We understand that yesterday's coverage was harmed by the regular appearance of advertising - that wasn't supposed to happen and we have hopefully made a change that will keep ads from appearing.
For the time being, home games (since WaP staff is in attendance at the games) will be limited to a twitter roll, but that will change for the road games, at least the ones we're not at. We'll be there for live chat and commentary on those games.
Still working out the kinks of our live coverage, but we hope you'll come by and check it out when it gets underway at about 6pm - with the game scheduled to start at seven.
We understand that yesterday's coverage was harmed by the regular appearance of advertising - that wasn't supposed to happen and we have hopefully made a change that will keep ads from appearing.
For the time being, home games (since WaP staff is in attendance at the games) will be limited to a twitter roll, but that will change for the road games, at least the ones we're not at. We'll be there for live chat and commentary on those games.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Game #1: Minnesota State
Welcome to the official start of the 2011-12 season! Here's the place to get in-game commentary and chat with fellow fans as we follow along with the Engineers' first game that counts, their first ever game against the Minnesota State Mavericks.
The chat gets underway at 6pm!
The End is the Beginning
OK, Yankee fans. Cheer up. Look on the bright side. The day after the baseball season ends, the Engineers' season gets underway, in addition to the bulk of the NHL getting underway. It's the silver lining - perfect timing. And of course, when the college hockey season ends in Tampa in April, the Bombers will be right there for their first series of the season against the Rays. So it all comes full circle eventually.
In honor of the cyclical passing of the torch, here's a pumpup that A) has become renowned in the Bronx for signifying the end and B) is a great rabble rouser anyway. So even if you're not a Yankee fan (in which case, you're probably celebrating even more, and that's OK), enjoy this classic pumpup.
The women, of course, are actually entering their second week of the season, on the road again at Vermont after kicking off the year with 3 "points" at UConn last week. The men face Minnesota State tonight for the first time in the program's history, at the Field House.
If you've got a pumpup request, feel free to hit us up: tomyousieve (at) gmail (period) com.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Today's Podcast: Ken Schott, Shane Frederick
Without a Peer Radio is back, and with the Engineers about ready to embark upon their 2011-12 journey, we'll talk to ECAC Hockey Media Association honcho Ken Schott of the Schenectady Daily Gazette to get his impressions on the coming ECAC season to be, and maybe get his impression of the second straight summer with no off-season. Since we'll be on the air scant hours following Notre Dame's big announcement, we'll talk to him about the big Hockey East scuttlebutt as well.
The Engineers face off with a new opponent this week when Minnesota State comes to town. To get you up to speed with the Mavericks, we figured there'd be no one better than their local beat writer, Shane Frederick of the Mankato Free Press. We'll ask Shane what to expect with MSU-M, and find out what's in store in the WCHA this year.
We get underway at 5:30pm, and you can listen in live or on demand after the show by clicking Listen to Without a Peer on the right-hand side of the page.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Know Your Enemy: Minnesota State
Given the long history of RPI hockey, it's no surprise that the Engineers have played practically every team out there to be played in Division I hockey. In fact, coming into the 2011-12 season, there are only four current D-I teams that RPI has never competed against on the ice. Canisius is the only eastern team on that list, and there are three western schools: the CCHA's Northern Michigan, and two teams from the WCHA - Nebraska-Omaha and Minnesota State. That list shrinks by at least one next year, as the Engineers and Mavericks are set to do battle for the first time during opening weekend in Troy come October.
Minnesota State
Nickname: Mavericks
Location: Mankato, MN
Founded: 1867
Conference: WCHA
National Championships: 1 (1980, Division II)
Last NCAA Appearance: 2003
Last Frozen Four: 1991 (Division III)
Coach: Troy Jutting (12th season)
2010-11 Record: 14-18-6 (8-16-4 WCHA, 11th place)
Series: First meeting
2011-12 games: October 7-8, 2011 (Troy, NY)
Key players: F Michael Dorr, sr.; F Justin Jokinen, sr.; D Cameron Cooper, sr.; G Phil Cook, jr.; D Tyler Elbrecht, jr.; F Eriah Hayes, jr.; F Eli Zuck, jr.; F Chase Grant, so.; F Max Gaede, fr.; D Mat Knoll, fr.
Hockey is something of a religion in Minnesota; witness the five different Division I hockey programs in the state despite having only one fully Division I school (the University of Minnesota). Thus, it's not terribly surprising that a school with over 13,000 undergraduates - third most in the state behind Minnesota and St. Cloud State - would be one of those schools playing at college hockey's highest level.
Varsity hockey at Mankato State, as the school was known between 1957 and 1999, began at the Division II level in 1970 under head coach Don Brose, who guided the team for 30 seasons. Although the Mavericks had a slow first season, Brose had the team winning games by year two, as Mankato State picked up a 15-2-1 record in the 1970-71 season, still the highest winning percentage in program history. All told, the Mavericks put up six winning seasons in their first eight years as a team from 1970 to 1977.
In 1978, the NCAA started the Division II national championship, the first separate championship from the Division I title that dated back 30 years. The Mavericks earned a place in the first six tournaments, falling to the eventual champions from Merrimack in 1978 and then to Lowell in the 1979 national championship. They punched through for their first - and thus far, only - national crown in 1980, defeating Elmira College 5-2 in the championship game (in Elmira) behind a 42-save effort by goaltender Steve Carroll. The title win was the Mavericks' 30th win of the year, the only time they have ever reached that number in the win column.
When the Division II championship was first suspended after the 1984 edition, the Mavericks moved to Division III, where they immediately made a pair of NCAA tournament appearances in 1985 and 1986. Three straight national tournaments from 1990 to 1992 included an appearance in the 1991 national championship game, where Mankato fell to Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 6-2.
In 1992, the school announced their intention to move the program to Division I, where they hoped to join fellow Minnesota State College and University (MnSCU) school St. Cloud State, but their request was denied by MnSCU, setting off a three-year battle to elevate the program. In the meantime, the Mavericks returned to Division II following the return of the national championship in 1993. There, they suffered their first losing season in nearly 20 years, and in 1994 dealt with a second consecutive losing season for the first time in program history.
In late 1995, MnSCU finally relented and allowed Mankato State to move to the Division I level, which they did the following season as an independent for the 1996-97 year, playing a hybrid schedule with Division II and III teams. Shortly after that inaugural D-I season, the school submitted a bid to join the WCHA, and a unique arrangement was set up inviting the team to participate in the WCHA tournament (as the highest seed) in 1998 despite being an independent team.
That set up was repeated in 1999, when the Mavericks pulled off a 3-2 overtime upset over WCHA regular season champions North Dakota before dropping the next two of the best-of-three (losing Game 3 10-0).
The Mavericks became full-fledged members of the WCHA in the 1999-2000 season, Don Brose's last behind the bench in Mankato (which also coincided with the school's name change to Minnesota State, Mankato). MSU had an impressive first full season in the league, winning 21 games (still the most for the school in Division I) and making a trip to the WCHA Final Five.
Just 11 days after Brose's last game, his long time assistant and former player Troy Jutting was named the team's second official head coach. Jutting led the team to another winning season in 2001, and in 2003, MSU reached the national tournament in just its fourth season as a full WCHA member, falling 5-2 to Cornell.
Since that NCAA tournament appearance, things have not been outstanding in Mankato, however. The Mavericks lost a school record 24 games the following season, and have had only one winning campaign (2008) since. A few talented players, including current NHLers David Backes, Ryan Carter, and Tim Jackman have come through Mankato recently, but as a team they have been struggling in the always difficult WCHA.
Last year, the Mavericks put up a decent mid-season, going unbeaten in 9 of 11 straight games between late November and mid-January, but four of the eight wins in the stretch came against American International and UMass-Lowell, two of the worst teams in the country. The other four were fairly solid, however, including a home sweep of Minnesota and a title in Notre Dame's Shillelagh Tournament. Once February arrived, however, the team sputtered down the stretch, finishing their last 10 games with a 3-7-0 record.
Pretty much every aspect of Minnesota State's game last year could be described as "pedestrian." With the exception of a rotten power play, the team didn't really excel or significantly lag in any facet of the game. Their top scorer last year was a senior defenseman, but they do bring back the only two players on the team to score more than 10 goals, Dorr and Hayes (Jokinen and Grant added 9 and 8 markers respectively). Cook's numbers in net could also be described as pedestrian, they weren't eye-poppingly bad but they weren't lighting the world on fire, either.
Nonetheless, when the Mavericks arrive in Troy in October, they should provide a solid early-season test for the Engineers. RPI's young offense will be met with MSU's young defense, and Bryce Merriam will be tested by some veteran forwards who have spent their college careers firing pucks at some of the best goalies in the country in the WCHA. Besides the obvious intrigue factor of the Engineers playing a team they've never seen in the program's history and the draw of the first regular season home weekend, this series should provide a great weekend of hockey.
Minnesota State
Nickname: Mavericks
Location: Mankato, MN
Founded: 1867
Conference: WCHA
National Championships: 1 (1980, Division II)
Last NCAA Appearance: 2003
Last Frozen Four: 1991 (Division III)
Coach: Troy Jutting (12th season)
2010-11 Record: 14-18-6 (8-16-4 WCHA, 11th place)
Series: First meeting
2011-12 games: October 7-8, 2011 (Troy, NY)
Key players: F Michael Dorr, sr.; F Justin Jokinen, sr.; D Cameron Cooper, sr.; G Phil Cook, jr.; D Tyler Elbrecht, jr.; F Eriah Hayes, jr.; F Eli Zuck, jr.; F Chase Grant, so.; F Max Gaede, fr.; D Mat Knoll, fr.
Hockey is something of a religion in Minnesota; witness the five different Division I hockey programs in the state despite having only one fully Division I school (the University of Minnesota). Thus, it's not terribly surprising that a school with over 13,000 undergraduates - third most in the state behind Minnesota and St. Cloud State - would be one of those schools playing at college hockey's highest level.
Varsity hockey at Mankato State, as the school was known between 1957 and 1999, began at the Division II level in 1970 under head coach Don Brose, who guided the team for 30 seasons. Although the Mavericks had a slow first season, Brose had the team winning games by year two, as Mankato State picked up a 15-2-1 record in the 1970-71 season, still the highest winning percentage in program history. All told, the Mavericks put up six winning seasons in their first eight years as a team from 1970 to 1977.
In 1978, the NCAA started the Division II national championship, the first separate championship from the Division I title that dated back 30 years. The Mavericks earned a place in the first six tournaments, falling to the eventual champions from Merrimack in 1978 and then to Lowell in the 1979 national championship. They punched through for their first - and thus far, only - national crown in 1980, defeating Elmira College 5-2 in the championship game (in Elmira) behind a 42-save effort by goaltender Steve Carroll. The title win was the Mavericks' 30th win of the year, the only time they have ever reached that number in the win column.
When the Division II championship was first suspended after the 1984 edition, the Mavericks moved to Division III, where they immediately made a pair of NCAA tournament appearances in 1985 and 1986. Three straight national tournaments from 1990 to 1992 included an appearance in the 1991 national championship game, where Mankato fell to Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 6-2.
In 1992, the school announced their intention to move the program to Division I, where they hoped to join fellow Minnesota State College and University (MnSCU) school St. Cloud State, but their request was denied by MnSCU, setting off a three-year battle to elevate the program. In the meantime, the Mavericks returned to Division II following the return of the national championship in 1993. There, they suffered their first losing season in nearly 20 years, and in 1994 dealt with a second consecutive losing season for the first time in program history.
In late 1995, MnSCU finally relented and allowed Mankato State to move to the Division I level, which they did the following season as an independent for the 1996-97 year, playing a hybrid schedule with Division II and III teams. Shortly after that inaugural D-I season, the school submitted a bid to join the WCHA, and a unique arrangement was set up inviting the team to participate in the WCHA tournament (as the highest seed) in 1998 despite being an independent team.
That set up was repeated in 1999, when the Mavericks pulled off a 3-2 overtime upset over WCHA regular season champions North Dakota before dropping the next two of the best-of-three (losing Game 3 10-0).
The Mavericks became full-fledged members of the WCHA in the 1999-2000 season, Don Brose's last behind the bench in Mankato (which also coincided with the school's name change to Minnesota State, Mankato). MSU had an impressive first full season in the league, winning 21 games (still the most for the school in Division I) and making a trip to the WCHA Final Five.
Just 11 days after Brose's last game, his long time assistant and former player Troy Jutting was named the team's second official head coach. Jutting led the team to another winning season in 2001, and in 2003, MSU reached the national tournament in just its fourth season as a full WCHA member, falling 5-2 to Cornell.
Since that NCAA tournament appearance, things have not been outstanding in Mankato, however. The Mavericks lost a school record 24 games the following season, and have had only one winning campaign (2008) since. A few talented players, including current NHLers David Backes, Ryan Carter, and Tim Jackman have come through Mankato recently, but as a team they have been struggling in the always difficult WCHA.
Last year, the Mavericks put up a decent mid-season, going unbeaten in 9 of 11 straight games between late November and mid-January, but four of the eight wins in the stretch came against American International and UMass-Lowell, two of the worst teams in the country. The other four were fairly solid, however, including a home sweep of Minnesota and a title in Notre Dame's Shillelagh Tournament. Once February arrived, however, the team sputtered down the stretch, finishing their last 10 games with a 3-7-0 record.
Pretty much every aspect of Minnesota State's game last year could be described as "pedestrian." With the exception of a rotten power play, the team didn't really excel or significantly lag in any facet of the game. Their top scorer last year was a senior defenseman, but they do bring back the only two players on the team to score more than 10 goals, Dorr and Hayes (Jokinen and Grant added 9 and 8 markers respectively). Cook's numbers in net could also be described as pedestrian, they weren't eye-poppingly bad but they weren't lighting the world on fire, either.
Nonetheless, when the Mavericks arrive in Troy in October, they should provide a solid early-season test for the Engineers. RPI's young offense will be met with MSU's young defense, and Bryce Merriam will be tested by some veteran forwards who have spent their college careers firing pucks at some of the best goalies in the country in the WCHA. Besides the obvious intrigue factor of the Engineers playing a team they've never seen in the program's history and the draw of the first regular season home weekend, this series should provide a great weekend of hockey.
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