Veteran Players Lift Men's Hockey To First Win of Season
MSU 5, UAA 1; MSU 2, UAA 2
by Brad Wheeler
November 08, 2005
The men's hockey team had a full week of practice to decide which players to bring on the road this weekend to face Alaska-Anchorage. Practice was competitive and was a time to see who really wanted to play as everyone battled for 22 spots.
“We made it a competition,” Head Coach Troy Jutting said. “It helped us with our intensity and that obviously carried over to the games this weekend.”
MSU outshot the Seawolves 40 to 20 and finally took advantage of offensive chances in Friday's game. The Mavericks scored five times with three goals coming in the first period.
“That's the way you want to play from start to finish,” Jutting said. “We got an early lead and built some momentum and, defensively, we limited their opportunities.”
Senior Brock Becker scored 56 seconds into the game for MSU and the Seawolves didn't come back and score immediately — which was a change from past games this season.
“We had better follow-up shifts after we scored,” Backes said. “We didn't sit back and relax. We kept coming after them.”
Sophomore Ryan Carter moved up to the Mavericks No. 1 line with David Backes and Travis Morin for the weekend. Carter and Backes both had four-point games Friday night. Carter got the game-winning goal and added three assists while Backes scored twice and assisted on two goals.
It was the first victory of the season for MSU, winning 5-1 after starting the season 0-6 for the first time in school history.
“It was a long time coming,” Backes said. “We had three weeks of pain and agony and it was definitely a good sign for MSU.”
Saturday night Becker scored the first goal of the game again, giving MSU a 1-0 lead. Alaska-Anchorage came back and scored twice to take the lead until Travis Morin tied the game 2-2 in the second period.
“I think we outplayed them again,” Jutting said. “We created a lot of chances and we could've won the game but anytime you get three points on the road in this league it's good.”
The two teams played a scoreless third period and overtime period to end the game in a tie.
“Their goalie played great and made some nice saves,” Backes said. “I think he stole a point away from us.”
Freshman Dan Tormey started in goal for MSU in both games and saved 42 of 45 shots he faced. It was the first time MSU started a goaltender in consecutive games this season. Tormey was named WCHA Rookie of the Week on Monday for his efforts versus the Seawolves.
“He played exceptionally well,” Jutting said. “He gave us a chance to win both nights and that's the type of goaltending you need in this league to be successful.”
MSU will have another tough week of practice as the players will battle for spots to get ready to play the two-time defending national champions Denver this weekend at home.