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Minnesota State University, Mankato
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Page address: https://web.mnsu.edu/sports/bluelineclub/news/html/2007/confident_mens_hockey.html

Confident Men's Hockey Travels to Wisconsin

by Dan Myers
Issue date: 1/25/07 Section: Mens Sports

There may not be a more confident bunch in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association right now than the Minnesota State men's hockey team.

Heading into their weekend series with defending national champion Wisconsin this weekend, the Mavericks (8-14-4 overall, 5-10-3 WCHA) have won two of their last three, with a tie mixed in against St. Cloud and a 1-0 loss at Minnesota - where the Mavericks clearly outplayed the Gophers.

"We're all having a good time and want to come to the rink," said senior captain Travis Morin. "The last couple weekends, we have played really well and probably could have gotten more points than we did."

The last action the Mavericks saw was last Tuesday - a 3-2 overtime win over Nebraska-Omaha. Most teams finding their stride would prefer to keep playing games. But Mavericks head coach Troy Jutting thinks the weekend off came at a good time for his team.

"Mentally, we needed it," Jutting said. "Coming off two emotional weekends against Minnesota and St. Cloud, then jumping on the bus right away and going down to Omaha and playing for a trophy, it was a good break for us."

Any physical advantage should be non-existent because UW also had last weekend off. The Badgers are coming off a split at home against Minnesota - a 2-1 win and 1-0 loss.

Those low-scoring games are a Badger trademark and people should expect nothing different this weekend.

"They are a great defensive team, we know that," said forward Jon Kalinski. "Special teams are going to be big. If we can capitalize on the power play and shut down their penalty kill, we should do fine this weekend."

Capitalizing with the man advantage is a must for MSU this weekend. Although the Badgers struggled early this season, UW has a healthy Jack Skille and Ross Carlson back in its lineup, and will not give the Mavericks as many scoring opportunities as they are used to.

"I think the big key is, when we get our chances, do we score?" Jutting said. "They aren't going to give us a ton of them, they never do, and when we get them, are we able to capitalize? It's been our Achilles heel for awhile."

Junior Kyle Klubertanz and goalie Brian Elliott - a Hobey Baker award finalist last season - anchor the Badger defensive core. Elliott is fifth in the WCHA in save percentage at .921.

Faceoff Friday and Saturday is scheduled for 7:07 p.m.

Dan Myers is the Reporter Sports Editor

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