Minnesota State
2018-19 Record: 32-8-2 (22-5-1, 1st in WCHA)
Head Coach: Mike Hastings, 8th Year
Top returning scorer: Marc Michaelis (19G-23A)
Top returning goaltender: Dryden McKay (So.)
On the afternoon Minnesota State's season came to an end, I had the opportunity to converse with someone famous for their Minnesota roots. When asked afterward what we discussed, my answer was simple.
"We talked about Minnesota. That's what happens when you put two strangers from there together outside of the state. It's very predictable."
I can't help but recall those words when writing about the team from the Key City. Stuck between stations of success and searching for an elusive NCAA Tournament win, Minnesota State came up as empty as a losing meat raffle ticket.
Up 3-0 early against Providence, it appeared to be the year the Mavericks, after seeing a 2-0 first-period lead disappear against the 2018 eventual champs, broke through. Instead, an overturned fourth and six PC goals later saw the same story happen. It's very predictable.
A season of success: 32 wins, WCHA regular season and conference titles, late comebacks, a No. 1 seed, it all came down and drowned inside the walls of the Dunkin Donuts Center.
What's Old (and awesome!): The Mankato throwback sweaters coming back.
— Shane Frederick (@puckato) February 23, 2019
What's New: Familiar last names in not-so-familiar sweaters.
Hastings' seven incoming players include Jaxson Stauber and Ryan Sandelin. Stauber, son of 1988 Hobey Baker Award winner Robb (Minnesota), and Sandelin, son of Minnesota Duluth (via North Dakota) head coach Scott, each come in after long HS and junior careers. Another is Cade Borchardt, whose family story you might be familiar with.
Marc Michaelis represented Germany and Mankato at the World Championships.
Speaking of Mankato, Hastings and company welcome North Dakota for the first time since college hockey realignment (the last one, not this current one). Arizona State also makes a visit as the non-conference schedule concludes with in-state trips to Duluth and Minneapolis.
Closing Thoughts: Perhaps it's not fair summing up Minnesota State's season and accomplishments, spending so much time in a single game. The Mavericks are not the only school in this position.
As a program, Hastings built a team envied throughout the WCHA. Minnesota State allowed an NCAA-low 1.82 goals per game, the most power-play goals and the fourth-highest goals per game average (3.5 per game).
Perhaps more importantly, Hastings built a program that keeps adding to its success. The run of upperclassmen like Michaelis, the NCAA active leader in every major goal-scoring category and Parker Tumoie, Connor Mackey and Ian Scheid on defense, it continues. Charlie Gerard went from 2 to 12 goals. Dallas Gerads went from 7 to 12. Jake Jaremko is due for a bounceback year.
All these players return. So does last year's biggest question mark, which Dryden McKay quickly answered in his freshman season. That seems to be the Mavericks way. Minnesota State is not caught in a transitional time other than the expectations of March and April. The Mavericks remain a solid squad, a program more experienced.
Perhaps that's why the accomplishments of Minnesota State get discussed in the context of snapping an 0-6 NCAA streak. The Mavericks as a team built success and exceeded every other expectation. At this point, being atop the WCHA with elite players is very predictable.
So keep thinking this will be the year. Maybe it is. Stay positive.
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