Solving goal-scoring woes easier said than done

Mavericks ranked last in WCHA in goals per game

by Dan Myers
Issue date: 11/29/07
Section: Mens Sports

It's been a problem all season long for the Minnesota State men's hockey team, and the problem became even more pressing two weeks ago in their last series against Denver; The Mavericks need to score more.

A lot more.

Opportunities haven't been the issue, said Mavericks head coach Troy Jutting; its been capitalizing.

And through 10 games, the Mavericks are not off to a good start.

Overall, MSU has scored 23 goals this season - an average of 2.3 per outing. That number is last in the WCHA.

Take out a seven-goal outburst against a dreadful Alabama-Huntsville team and the Mavs have scored 1.7 goals per game in their other nine contests.

The key for Minnesota State this weekend against Minnesota-Duluth is captain Joel Hanson. The senior entered the season as the second-best scoring option for the Mavericks but has zero points in 10 games so far.

"It's been an issue so far," Hanson said. "You just have to work through it I guess."

"There's no question, he's the key right now," Jutting said. "There's no if, ands or buts about it."

Hanson has a history of scoring in bunches, so it's very likely that once he scores his first, it's likely many more will follow.

"I've been kind of a streaky scorer in the past," Hanson said. "That's been my reputation."

The Mavericks may also be able to take advantage of an aggressive group of blueliners that like to get involved offensively. UMD's leading scorer is junior defenseman Josh Meyers (4-5-9). Fellow junior Jason Garrison is right behind him with seven points.

Creating the occasional odd-man rush and taking advantage of them is one key this weekend for MSU.

"Hopefully we do that," Jutting said. "We've got kids that can skate and aren't going to get caught if they do get free."

Like its defensemen, the Bulldogs also have an aggressive goalie in sophomore Alex Stalock who is not afraid to leave the crease.

"I think patience is a key in general for us, especially those guys that are having trouble scoring right now," Jutting said

Another key for the Mavericks against Duluth is to play a full 60-minute game. Minnesota State has played well for spells in almost every game this season. One could argue they outplayed Minnesota for much of their weekend series. But the Gophers won both games powered by outstanding second periods.

With that in mind, the players have ratcheted up the intensity level in practice the last two weeks. The pace during drills has been faster and the hitting has picked up.

"It's not anything I told them needed to get better," Jutting said. "That's just their desire to play harder and get better."

Junior forward Jon Kalinski agrees.

"Maybe it will allow us to play a 60-minute game instead of a 40-minute game," he said.

MSU and UMD begin their Western Collegiate Hockey Association series Friday at 7:37 p.m. at the Alltel Center. Saturday's game two will begin at 7:07 p.m.

Dan Myers is the Reporter sports editor