Minnesota State Returns Home to Battle Michigan Tech
#4 Minnesota State has gone 219-85-24 during head coach Mike Hastings’ tenure. They have won the most games in the country during that time, earning five NCAA tournament appearances, five Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) regular-season titles and three WCHA postseason tournament championships.
They will look for that success to continue this weekend.
The Minnesota State Mavericks (5-1-1 overall, 2-0-0 WCHA) will battle the Michigan Tech Huskies (6-3-1, 2-0-0 WCHA) at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. Face-off is scheduled for 8:07 p.m. EST Friday and 7:07 p.m. EST Saturday.
Minnesota State is returning 17 skaters from last year’s roster who played in at least one game — they tallied 69 goals and 204 points. However, fresh faces are making an impact.
“It has been awesome having the freshman and three transfers that we have,” said senior defenseman Jack McNeely. “They have fit in very well. It has been a very good transition for them.”
Notably, freshman defenseman Akito Hirose has been a spectacular addition. He is a two-time WCHA Rookie of the Week winner this year and has one goal and seven points in seven games.
“He has expectations of success for himself everyday,” Hastings said. “He did not come in and get intimidated. He knew he was going to have an opportunity to play major minutes.”
Hirose served as captain with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the British Columbia Hockey League in 2019-20 and he is bringing his experience to the Mavericks’ blueline.
“He is a very smart player,” Hastings said. “He puts himself in the right spots. He has been awesome on our power-play. He has been really good for us.”
Like all programs in college hockey, Minnesota State is adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic. They have only played seven games as they enter 2021.
“We are dealing with things in January that we are usually experiencing in October,” Hastings said. “Going through these experiences hardens you for this time this year. This is the first time we have looked strong together for back-to-back weeks. When you only play five games in the first half of the year and you have the opportunity to play four games in eight days, you are very thankful for that.”
Nonetheless, one of the best programs in the country is still playing at an elite level, thanks to talent, perseverance and leadership.
“I am trying to be a calming presence for the new guys and I am there if they need anything,” McNeely said. “I try to be myself and do everything I can.”
Statistics and images courtesy of Minnesota State Athletics
