NSCC NOTES
No. 7 Minnesota Duluth (NCHC) vs. Bemidji State (WCHA)
Friday 4:05 p.m. CT – FOX Sports North PLUS
No. 1 Minnesota State (WCHA) vs. No. 17 Minnesota (Big Ten)
Friday 7:05 p.m. CT – FOX Sports North PLUS
Saturday 4:04 p.m. CT or 7:05 p.m. CT – FOX Sports North
St. Paul, Minnesota – Xcel Energy Center (17,954)
North Star College Cup
The Gophers took home the first ever NSCC last season after a 4-1 defeat of St. Cloud in the semifinal and a 4-4 tie and overtime shootout win against Duluth. This season presents a new set of challenges as two of the three teams Minnesota could face are ranked in the top-ten, something Minnesota has been anxiously awaiting.
“We knew going in that we wanted to play good teams in the non-conference schedule,” said Don Lucia.
After a successful inaugural tournament last year, all the Minnesota teams hope that this yearly event will continue to grow. Playing hockey in St. Paul helps brings teams around the state together.
“The Xcel is certainly one of the great facilities in all of hockey,” said Lucia. “Anytime you go down there and play, it’s convenient for us, convenient for the in-state schools, the alumni, that fanbases. That’s the whole gist of the idea. You get teams that are now in three separate conferences come together this weekend when there’s not a lot going on…We hope [the tournament] will really grow over this weekend.”
The Gophers are looking forward to playing their in-state rivals, teams they are very familiar with despite not sharing a conference.
“You look around the state, there’s some pretty good teams in our state,” said Kyle Rau. “It’s fun. It’s good for the fans, it’s good for the players to play those guys because we grew up playing against each other.”
Minnesota State
Record: 18-4-1 overall, 15-2-1 WCHA
Series History
The Gophers hold a dominant 35-10-6 advantage in the all-time series but the Mavericks have found increased success in recent years. Four of Minnesota State’s 10 wins against Minnesota have come since the 2010-2011 season. However, the Gophers have won three straight including a sweep last year at Mariucci.
Player to Watch
Senior blueliner Zach Palmquist has 19 points this season for the Mavericks. The talented playmaker ranks tied for third all-time in Minnesota State history with 86 career points as a defenseman. The South St. Paul native is just 10 points from tying the Maverick record.
About the Mavericks
There’s a reason why the Mavericks are the top team in the county. Minnesota State has just four losses on the season. The Mavs hold impressive victories over Nebraska-Omaha, Duluth, and a sweep of then No. 1, Michigan Tech.
“Minnesota State’s had a terrific season,” said Lucia. “Obviously with only four losses [they’re] deserving of the ranking.”
The Mavericks are led by a number of experienced forwards including 5-foot-9 senior, Matt Leitner. Leitner paces Minnesota State with 24 points in 23 games. Along with Leitner, the Mavericks also have a duo of juniors, Bryce Gervais (20 points), and Teddy Blueger (20 points), who have proven they can light the lamp. In net, junior Stephon Williams has been stellar, posting 14 wins in 18 games and an impressive .922 GAA. Long been one of the little brothers of Minnesota hockey, this Mavericks team is as complete as the Gophers will see the rest of the regular season.
Minnesota Duluth
Record: 13-8-1 overall, 8-5-1 NCHC
Series History
Minnesota and UMD have met 226 times with the Gophers holding the 134-75-17 advantage.
Player to Watch
Sophomore forward Dominic Toninato heads a deep forward group for the Bulldogs. The former Duluth East Greyhound leads UMD with 19 points (13g, 6a) and is a +11 on the year. Toninato was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the fifth round (126th pick overall) during the 2012 National Hockey League Draft.
About the Bulldogs
The Bulldogs enter the tournament ranked No. 7 in the nation. UMD has played well all season, gaining at least a split in every series except for last weekend against Western Michigan. The Bulldogs rattled off an impressive stretch in the middle of the season when they swept St. Cloud, the Gophers, split on the road with UNO, and then swept Colorado College. UMD’s stifling defense has held opponents to just over two goals and 26 shots per game.
Bemidji State
Record: 7-12-3 overall, 5-8-3 WCHA
Series History
Minnesota has been nothing short of dominant against BSU with a record of 18-1-1 over the Beavers.
Player to Watch
The leader of the Beavers is captain Matt Prapavessis. The senior defenseman is second on the team with 14 points (5g, 9a) while playing solid defense and maintaining a +1 rating. Prapavessis plays in all situations for a Beavers and will log lots of ice time against the Bulldogs on Friday as BSU looks to advance to the championship game.
About the Beavers
The Beavers shocked the college hockey landscape on the opening night of the season when they traveled to Grand Forks and obliterated No. 2 North Dakota, 5-1. Following the loss, BSU would go on to lose 10 of its next 12 games, including getting swept by the Gophers, Michigan Tech, and St. Cloud. The Beavers enter Friday’s game with an 11-22-1 all-time record versus UMD. However, BSU has had success recently and is 9-7-1 in the last 17 meetings against the Bulldogs.