2/7/05

MSU pays tribute to national championship team

MSU hockey review

By Shane Frederick
Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — The champions came out Saturday night.

Nineteen players and two coaches from Mankato State's 1979-80 NCAA Division II national championship team were honored between the first and second periods of the game between MSU and Colorado College.

In honor of the 25th anniversary of the title, the players were brought onto the ice individually and presented with new throwback jerseys similar to the ones they wore during their run.

The jerseys were complete with the players' names and numbers, and were the same as those worn by the current MSU team Saturday night.

Highlights of the championship game between MSU and Elmira were shown on the Midwest Wireless Civic Center's video screen, too.

Former coach Don Brose, who guided the team to a 30-9-1 record, was on the ice with the championship trophy.

Players present included: Mike Odenbach, Clark Johnson, Mike Weinkauf, Paul Larson, Greg Larson, Paul Mattson, Larry Long, Steve Forliti, John Passolt, Tom Kern, Tom Hedrick, Tom Sanvik, Jim Follmer, Carey Boldenow, Rick Steblay, John Wilharm, Jeff Krensing, Steve Carroll and Westy Graves.

Assistant coach Wayne Harris was also honored.

Players not in attendance included Grant Boisner, Dave Hjermstad, Steve Loomis, Chuck Wedin, Mike Hill, Tim Hamrick and Brooks Adlin.

Roberts returns

Brandon Roberts found a spot to himself in the stands of the Midwest Wireless Civic Center this weekend.

Roberts, the Lake Crystal native and former Mankato West hockey standout, is a senior at Colorado College, where he is on the hockey roster but has yet to play this season.

Roberts did not travel with the No. 2-ranked Tigers but stopped home after traveling to Dallas as part of a class project. Roberts is a economics and business major who will graduate in May. Although he has a year of hockey eligibility remaining, he said he does not plan to play for the school after this season.

"I'm disappointed that I'm not playing (in games)," he said. "But I'm really fortunate to be part of this team."

Roberts graduated from West in 2001 and was on the Tigers roster the following fall. During the 2002-03 season, he played junior hockey in the North American and America West junior hockey leagues. Roberts returned to CC in 2003 and played in three games, including a home game against Minnesota State, that season.

Saturday, what a day

What a difference a day makes.

The Mavericks have had some ugly Friday night games this season, giving up nine goals to Minnesota twice and eight and seven goals to Colorado College. The latter was last Friday at the Civic Center.

Minnesota State has allowed 4.62 goals per game on Fridays and have a 4-7-2 record in series openers.

Although their record is only slightly better on Saturdays at 5-6-2, they have given up just 2.53 goals per game in series finales. That includes this Saturday's 2-2 tie with the Tigers. The most goals they have given up on Saturday nights is four, in losses to Minnesota-Duluth and Colorado College.

Plus-minus

Goalie Chris Clark has made 40-plus saves twice this season and got ties in both. He stopped a career-high 43 in a 3-3 tie with Miami on Dec. 30 and 40 Saturday. ... Saturday marked the first time this season that the Mavericks haven't won when leading going into the third period. They are now 5-0-1 in that situation. ... David Backes and Travis Morin extended their scoring streaks to four games with their assists on Ryan Carter's goal Saturday. ... Three California natives played this weekend: Clark, who hails from San Mateo, and CC's Brett Sterling (Pasadena) and Brian Salcido (Hermosa Beach).