Here are three things we learned this weekend:
1. Minnesota State is rolling. The Mavericks swept Michigan Tech this weekend and have won five of their past six games. The sweep against Tech could be a key moment as this season goes forward for Minnesota State, which now has an early lead in the WCHA standings for home-ice advantage in playoffs.
2. It’s only been two games, but Bemidji State seems to have an ideal shootout combination with Michael Bitzer and Jay Dickman. In three shootout attempts against this season Bitzer has been perfect, while Dickman has scored the game-winning goal in shootouts against Minnesota-Duluth and Ferris State.
3. The WHCH went 0-4 in non-conference games as both Alabama Huntsville and Lake Superior State where swept on the road. Non-conference opportunities are getting more and more limited, so the early season struggles against other conference foes is a bit frustrating.