Idle chatter
Friday Morning Skate
Minnesota State is off this weekend, their final bye week of the season. The 13th ranked Mavericks are 9-1-0 in their last 10 games and will rest up and prep for the stretch run, which includes a series at Bemidji State and a home set against Michigan Tech to close out the regular season.
This week’s podcast (linked above or available wherever you get your podcasts) is with MSU redshirt junior Tony Malinowski, who has carved out a regular role in the Mavericks’ D corps. We had a fun conversation about his unique experience at MSU, growing up in Michigan and how he might have annoyed Connor Mackey with all of his questions back when he was a freshman.
With MSU off, eyes will be on the rest of the CCHA schedule. Minnesota State has a one-point lead over Tech atop the standings and the race for the MacNaugton Cup. But while the Mavericks sit idle, the 10th-ranked Huskies will host third-place Bowling Green (six points separate those two teams) on Winter Carnival weekend in Houghton, Mich. Additionally, there’s a real battle for home ice for the first round of the league playoffs with fourth-place Bemidji State going to fifth-place Ferris State. The Beavers lead the Bulldogs by just a point. The other league matchup has Northern Michigan going to St. Thomas. The Wildcats sit just one point ahead of the Tommies for sixth place.
Following last weekend’s split with St. Thomas, Mavericks defenseman Andy Carroll was honored as CCHA Defenseman of the Week for his two-goal performance in the series.