Page address: https://web.mnsu.edu/sports/bluelineclub/news/html/2007/hockey_splits_pair.html

Men's Hockey Splits Pair at Anchorage

by Dan Myers
Issue date: 2/20/07
Section: Mens Sports

Powered by a pair of first period goals by sophomore forward Jon Kalinski, the Minnesota State men's hockey team won its series opener Friday at the University of Alaska-Anchorage before dropping the finale Saturday night 6-1. The loss, combined with North Dakota's 1-0 win over Minnesota-Duluth eliminated the Mavericks' (11-17-6 overall, 8-13-5 WCHA) hopes of gaining home ice in the first round of the WCHA playoffs - which begin in two weeks.

Lucas Fransen added a goal in the first period Friday to pace the Mavs to a 3-0 lead after one.

UAA's Justin Bourne scored the only goal of the second frame, before Mick Berge tallied a power play goal at the 14:26 mark of the third period. Merit Waldrop made it 4-2 just moments later but Mavs' senior captain Travis Morin capped scoring with an empty netter at 18:35.

Mike Zacharias made 30 saves to earn the win in net for the Mavericks, as MSU outshot the Seawolves 42-32 on the evening.

Saturday's rematch was a different game from the start as the Mavericks fell into a similar trap that engulfs many in the WCHA - Saturday in Alaska. Because UAA is so unique in its location, many teams find the Saturday game two to be much more difficult.

This Saturday was no different as the Seawolves used a pair of power play goals to win 6-1.

Anchorage kicked off the scoring just 55 seconds into the contest on a Waldrop goal, his second of the weekend and fourth of the season.

Freshman Jerad Stewart tied the score at one just over a minute later, but UAA scored twice more in the first and second periods and added an extra insurance goal in the third to cap the win. Zacharias started in net, but gave way to sophomore Dan Tormey in the third - his first action since a Dec. 1 game at Minnesota. Tormey made 10 saves in his 2007 debut.

MSU will wrap up its regular season with a home series against Colorado College this weekend. Faceoff from Midwest Wireless Civic Center is scheduled for 7:37 p.m. Friday and 7:07 p.m. Saturday.

Dan Myers is the Reporter Sports Editor