Mavericks, Broncos Gear Up for NCAA Showdown Rematch
The Mavericks and Broncos are set for an NCAA rematch this week. Minnesota State arrives with a long tournament history and recent hardware. Western Michigan seeks to settle a one-game series deficit.
Program and postseason overview
Minnesota State is making its 11th NCAA Division I Tournament appearance. The program owns a 5-10 record in D-I NCAA play. Overall postseason mark stands at 28-31-11.
MSU reached the Frozen Four in 2021 and 2022. The 2021 squad finished as national runner-up. The program also claims the 1980 NCAA Division II national championship.
Recent trophies and milestones
Minnesota State secured the MacNaughton Cup for the 10th time this season. The MacNaughton Cup dates to 1913 and weighs nearly 40 pounds.
Last Friday, March 20, Minnesota State won the Mason Cup. The Mavericks beat St. Thomas 4-1 before 4,892 fans at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. That marked MSU’s fourth Mason Cup in five seasons.
MacNaughton and Mason Cup context
- MacNaughton Cup: captured by Minnesota State again this season.
- Mason Cup: MSU added the league playoff crown on March 20 with a 4-1 victory.
Key game details and contributors
Junior Tristan Lemyre opened the scoring in the Mason Cup final. Junior Evan Murr scored at 15:07 of the second period. Luigi Benincasa and senior Jack Smith added third-period goals to seal the win.
Senior goaltender Alex Tracy stopped 29 of 30 shots and was named the CCHA Championship game MVP. Benincasa recorded his fifth consecutive game with a goal. Murr earned second-star honors with a goal and two assists.
Coaching and individual honors
Luke Strand was honored as the CCHA Coach of the Year for the second straight season. The award recognizes his work guiding MSU through the regular season and playoff run.
Head-to-head and last meeting
Minnesota State owns a 0-1 series record versus Western Michigan. The matchup this week falls exactly one year after their previous meeting.
In that prior game, Western Michigan prevailed 2-1 in double overtime. Evan Murr registered an assist, and Alex Tracy faced 44 shots, stopping 42 in the losing effort.
Team statistics and leaders
The Mavericks average 2.82 goals per game and 31.4 shots per contest. That balance has carried them through the conference slate.
| Player | Role | Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Tristan Lemyre | Senior forward | 34 points (16 G, 18 A) |
| Evan Murr | Junior defenseman | 30 points (10 G, 20 A) |
| Alex Tracy | Senior goaltender | Key stops in CCHA final; 29 of 30 in title game |
Looking ahead
The rematch with Western Michigan carries added narrative. MSU brings recent success and veteran leaders. Western Michigan will aim to even the brief series history.
Filmogaz.com will monitor the matchup as the Mavericks and Broncos prepare for the NCAA showdown rematch. Expect a competitive game with postseason implications.
