WCHA Weekly Roundup: Dec. 13-14

It was the final series of 2024 this weekend - can you believe the year is almost over? Where has the time gone? Bemidji State and Minnesota State faced off to end the WCHA first half and though I predicted a goalie duel, I was wrong – well, sort of, because while there was a great goalie performance one night, two forwards really shined. Let’s get into it.

The Beavers made the trip to Mankato to face the Mavericks for the first time this season. Minnesota State played a dominant game on Friday for a 5-0 win. Madison Mashuga got things started early with a goal four minutes into the contest. Alexis Paddington added another goal with five minutes to go for a 2-0 Mankato lead in the first intermission. Mashuga continued her quick scoring with her second goal of the game just 20 seconds into the second period to extend the lead to three. Mashuga completed her hat trick with another goal a little over two minutes later. It is the first hat trick for a Minnesota State player since 2022. The Mavericks blanked the Beavers behind netminder Hailey Hansen’s second shutout and fifth win of the season.

So, Hansen’s shutout semi proved my prediction of a goalie duel, right? Doesn't matter, because in Saturday's game, another forward shined. Even though Mankato won 5-3 on Saturday, no hats were safe for the second straight game. It would be fair to believe the Mavericks’ Jamie Nelson had notched the hat trick after scoring two goals in the first period for an early lead, but Bemidji’s Morgan Smith was the one with the eventual hatty. The rookie scored two goals on the power play, one in the first period another in the second. She netted the hat trick goal less than seven minutes into the third period, becoming the first Beavers freshman since 2020 to do so. Minnesota State did go on to win 5-3 after goals from Claire Vekich and Mackenzie Bourgerie, helping Mankato finish the year with a sweep.

Both teams will join the rest of the conference on holiday break. The Beavers return Jan. 1 against Minnesota in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum Face-Off Classic. Minnesota State returns on Jan. 3 for a road series against Lindenwood.

St. Thomas announced an outdoor exhibition game against St. Cloud State set for Jan. 4, 2025. It doesn’t count for points, but it should be a cool experience for all involved!

Weekly Awards:

The final weekly awards of 2024!

WCHA Forward of the Week: Madison Mashuga - Minnesota State

Mashuga recorded a hat trick in Friday’s game. She also added an assist over the series to end the weekend with four points.

WCHA Defender of the Week: JuliAnna Gazdik - Minnesota State

This is Gazdik’s first weekly honors this season. She recorded three points, all assists, in the series against Bemidji. She had one on Friday and two on Saturday for a total of 11 on the season.

WCHA Goaltender of the Week: Hailey Hansen - Minnesota State

Hansen earned honors for the third time this season and just two weeks after going back-to-back. She posted a shutout on Friday and earned her first conference sweep. She has a .919 save percentage this season.

WCHA Rookie of the Week: Morgan Smith - Bemidji State

The Rookie earned her first conference honors after her first collegiate hat trick on Saturday. Smith became the first Bemidji freshman to score a hat trick since 2020.

On the International Stage:

Congratulations to Team USA on winning the Six Nations tournament and of course to all the members on Team Canada and Team Sweden for placing 2nd and 3rd, respectively. There were over 40 WCHA players who took part in this event and all the players deserve high praise for their play and participation in a great international tournament.

Looking Forward:

Enjoy the holiday season with all your loved ones and don’t forget the WCHA returns Jan. 1, 2025.

See you in 2025!

Weekly Scoreboard: 

Friday:

Bemidji State 0, Minnesota State 5

Saturday:

Bemidji State 3, Minnesota State 5

Full schedule here