Although this is the first Division I playoff game in the history of St. Thomas hockey, head coach Rico Blasi is in a very familiar place. For the 15th time in his career, he is leading his squad into the CCHA playoffs. A decade ago with Miami, Blasi won the same Mason Cup that his current peers are all fighting for today. Although his Tommies are not expected to survive this first round against national power Minnesota State, he will not go quietly into the night.

“It is starting to come together, and starting to feel like we are making progress,” said Blasi, whose team has picked off points from league powers Lake State, Michigan Tech and Bemidji to finish off the season. Predicting an upset over the nation’s number one team in the country, however, remains a pipe dream. 

Although the Mavericks have had to do without their leading goal scorer, Ryan Sandelin, for the past two weeks, they got a huge injection of offense from the return of Olympian Nathan Smith. Smith powered in two goals and three points in their sweep of No. 14 Michigan Tech to snag a share of the CCHA scoring lead with 43 points. By the second period Saturday, Smith found himself in familiar territory, centering German superstar Julian Napravnik. They are the most productive tandem in the NCAA combining for an astounding 86 points. In a weekend dominated by stifling defense by both teams, Napravnik and Smith created plenty of open ice with their speed and hockey IQ. 

Today’s version of college hockey can be a challenge to watch: 30-second shifts, flashing sticks on defense, and clogged-up neutral zones make for split-second offensive touches before a puck being forfeited with 100’ dump-ins. Not for Smith and Napravnik. They are master craftsmen that will be plying their skills for pay next year—in Smith’s case, he should be in the Stanley Cup playoffs come April. The time to appreciate these two college hockey gems is now, starting Friday in Mankato. 

The bracket is set for the #MasonCup Playoffs. Who's your favorite to win? #CCHA

🏆 Tourney: https://t.co/Y4yMAOSZHR pic.twitter.com/o5HfMKt3a7

— CCHA (@CCHAHockey) February 27, 2022

St. Thomas should create a challenge for Minnesota State in one of their games, probably the opener, with Tommies goalie Peter Thome the primary reason. Yet he is still a notch below Maverick senior Dryden McKay, who is in the twilight of a magnificent NCAA goaltending career. Anyone who saw him gut out Saturday’s win over Michigan Tech, a game in which he outdueled fellow Richter Award finalist Blake Pietila, saw McKay at his competitive best, which is arguably the best in the country.

Much has been made about the outstanding play of MNSU’s high-scoring defenseman Jake Livingstone, but don’t ignore the play of fellow sophomore Akito Hirose. He is fifth on the team with 19 assists, and is the Mavs most reliable puck-mover on the power play. He is the man trusted to lug the puck from goal line to center ice before handing it off to a speedy trailer. It all leads to successful zone entry, which is a big reason the Mavs are seventh in the nation with a 25 percent power play efficiency.

It isn't their prodigious star power, however, that makes the Mavericks the national team to beat this year, it is their tenacity on the puck, leading to an overwhelming edge in puck possession. If you are a channel surfer, and find yourself joining a Minnesota State game already underway, it usually takes several seconds to determine whether or not the Mavs are on a power play. All five skaters are in motion, winning puck battles and firing confident passes from corner-to-corner, point-to-point. Such extensive puck possession forms the ultimate defense.

Despite being oft-repeated, it must be stated again that Mike Hastings has won more regular season games with the Mavericks this past decade than any other team in NCAA. MNSU has not won the conference playoffs, however, since 2019. Don’t expect St. Thomas to provide more than a speed bump.

Prediction: Mavs in a sweep, and they stay in Mankato where they await their semifinal opponent.