January 20, 2022

· HO C K EY DAY M I N N E SOTA 2022 · Dance team wins 2 x at nattys

TODAY

7˚

-12˚

Yeah, this sun isn’t really going to help out a whole lot today. page

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ST U DEN T RU N NEWS SINCE 1926

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2022

MSUREPORTER.COM

‘THIS IS HOW WE HOCKEY’

MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter

Hockey Day Minnesota is an event-filled, week-long celebration of hockey that is being held in Mankato this year. Its aim is to grow the sport of hockey while bringing communities together.

Hockey Day brings the ‘Kato community together

By JULIA BARTON News Director

Hockey Day Minnesota has come to Minnesota State University, Mankato for a week of winter fun as those of the community come together for hockey games, food, and music.

Turning MSU’s Blakeslee Stadium into an outdoor frozen hockey rink, the football stadi-

um is ready for players to take the ice.

In the works for three years, Hockey Day Minnesota is now in Mankato after being postponed last year due to COVID-19.

With bumps along the road, the city of Mankato also experienced an influx of snow Saturday, the day before Hockey Day activities first kicked off.

Michelle Schooff, Hockey Day Minnesota Co-chair of the Local Operating Committee, shared how touched she was by the overwhelming generosity of the community.

“The support we’ve seen is insane. When we had that unexpected snowfall on Saturday we had restaurants calling to see if they could donate food and beverages and it was just so heartwarming to see the community come together in order to get those kids on the ice Sunday morning,” Schooff said.

She says about 150 volunteers came to help shovel nonstop Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., expressing that without them they wouldn’t be able to host the Sunday games.

“We are so excited to show the rest of the state of Minneso-

ta this is how we hockey and I think we’re off to a great start,” shared Schooff.

Mankato will go down as the first southern Minnesota location where this event is held as the previous years it has been up-state.

Generating millions, Schooff forecasted the traffic from just the Friday and Saturday events to have a five to six million dollar economic impact on the hospitality industry.

“I think this will be a big economic boost for Mankato and the restaurants and hotels and really the industries that have

been hit hard over the past few years,” Melissa Bradley, Hockey Day Minnesota Treasurer of the Local Operating Committee and MSU alumna, said.

With all-hands-on-deck, community members, organizers, and volunteers have put in hours upon hours of work to make this week possible.

“I’m excited to showcase Mankato to the whole state and seeing how the community has gotten behind this. It’s amazing the amount of volunteers and committee members that have put so much time and effort into PUCKS on page 14 

H O C K E Y DAY M I N N E S O TA 2 0 2 2 H I G H L I G H T S THURSDAY, JANUARY 20

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21

SATURDAY, JANUARY 22

SUNDAY, JANUARY 23

5:30 p.m.

MN Wounded Warriors Game

5:30 p.m.

‘Kato East vs. West (Boys)

9:30 a.m.

Edina vs. Andover (Girls)

11:00 a.m.

MSU Women’s Alumni Game

8:00 p.m.

Southern MN Celebrity Game

8:30 p.m.

MSU Alumni Game

4:30 p.m.

Minnesota State vs. St. Thomas (Men)

1:00 p.m.

Minnesota State vs. St. Thomas (Women)

2 • MSU Reporter

News

MLK Day brings together the Mankato community to reflect

Thursday, January 20, 2022

MSU dance team makes history at UDA Nationals

Courtesy photo

The Minnesota State dance team spent the weekend in Orlando Fla. taking home two first place national championships and one runner-up placement.

By JENNA PETERSON Staff Writer

CAROLYN KASTER • Associated Press

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday that honors one of the predominant figures of the Civil Rights movement. This memorial of MLK is located in Washington D.C.

By JULIA BARTON News Director

This past Monday Minnesota State University, Mankato partnered up with the Mankato community to reflect on Martin Luther King Jr. Day by featuring a documentary about MLK along with a panel of those interviewed in the film.

The documentary followed civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. and his journey to Mankato in November of 1961.

“The documentary uses the historical visit of Martin Luther King Jr. to Mankato as a way to honor his anti-racist activism as well as to point out his work is not complete and and must continue,” Jameel Haque, Associate Professor and Director of the Kessel Peace Institute at MSU said.

MLK gave a speech at what is now Mankato West High School’s auditorium on a cold

November day as the documentary interviewed a Mankato local who was in attendance.

She painted a picture of how packed the room he spoke in was, since there were so many who came.

Expressed in the film they shared that back in 1961, the Mankato community was a predominantly white farming town.

Following the documentary there was also a panel in which those who were interviewed in the film were able to share their thoughts about MLK Day as well as the impact of his visit.

Christopher Brown, Ph.D and Acting Dean of the College of Arts & Humanities, shared his view on Mankato’s progress.

“Looking at the visual dynamics, there certainly have been areas of progress, but then again I’m sure he would challenge us to rethink how we understand that narrative of prog-

ress as it relates to the Mankato community,” shared Brown.

In many ways MLK Day has been used to talk about the reality of our present as well as the persistence of continuing to stop systemic racism and white supremacy.

Dr. Henry Morris, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion at MSU shared, “I am a fan of Martin Luther King, but the movement was bigger than him. There were lots of people who were leading the movement all over the place including many women and I think the women were the backbone of the civil rights movement.”

MLK was one of many known figures of the civil rights movement.

“He was a symbol of that time, but I never want us to forget that there were many others who strived to make this a better place who were supporters and had leadership roles,” said MLK on page 7

GOOD LUCK MAVERICKS!

This past weekend the Minnesota State University, Mankato dance team made team history with their College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship performances. Throughout the three-day weekend the team notched two first place national championships and one runner-up placement.

On Friday the team competed in the open game day category for the first time, where they placed second in the nation. James commented on the process of preparing for this category.

“It was incredible. Obviously, going into it we weren’t quite sure what we were getting into. We had done tons

of research as to looking at teams in the past and what the flow has been and what they’ve done to bring different elements to their game day performance,” James stated. “We tried to keep it pretty traditional to what we do at MSU for our game day. That’s kind of the point of game day, to show off your traditions and what you do at your school, but then also bring that competitive aspect to it, which makes it kind of tricky.”

James said that once the girls performed in the first round of open game day, they placed in third and had only two hours to go over the routine and think of new strategies in order to improve for the final performance later that day.

“They were focused, they DANCE on page 5 

GOOD LUCK

MAVERICK HOCKEY from

507-386-7077

1551 Tullamore St., mankato

Thursday, January 20, 2022

News

Bronx-raised Cardi B offers to pay fire victim burial costs

MSU Reporter • 3

Student Gov. advocates for wellness center on campus

By MAX MAYLEBEN

Editor in Chief

AMY HARRIS • Invision/AP

Cardi B performs at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn., on June 16, 2019. New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Wednesday that Cardi B had offered to the financial relief for victims.

By Associated Press Cardi B has offered to pay the burial costs for all 17 people killed in a fire that ripped through a New York City highrise.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Wednesday that the Grammy-winning rapper had offered the financial relief for victims of the fire in the Bronx, where she grew up.

Many of the victims had ties to Gambia, and families of several of the victims planned to

bury them in their West African homeland.

Cardi B has committed to paying the repatriation expenses for the victims who will be buried in Gambia, the mayor’s office said.

“I’m extremely proud to be from the Bronx and I have lots of family and friends who live and work there still.

So, when I heard about the fire and all of the victims, I knew I needed to do something to help,” Cardi B in a statement. “I cannot begin to

imagine the pain and anguish that the families of the victims are experiencing, but I hope that not having to worry about the costs associated with burying their loved ones will help as they move forward and heal.

I send my prayers and condolences to everyone affected by this horrific tragedy.”

The fire, which was New York City’s deadliest in three decades, was sparked by a faulty space heater, according to authorities.

The Student Government passed a resolution at their meeting yesterday, indicating their support for the creation of a new Maverick Wellness Center.

The center would function as a central hub for students who are facing crises such as food insecurity or homelessness.

The resolution was motioned by Vice-President Kara Svercl, and seconded by President Reauna Stiff.

The executive team has been working to address issues such as this since the beginning of their term, as their election included an entire platform dedicated to student basic needs at MSU. The resolution cites a study done in 2018 which showed that 64% of students at MSU have experienced some sort

of food insecurity during college, as well as an increased amount of insecurity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“What we are looking to do is consolidate the resources that we already have existing into one spot,” said Svercl, the author of the motion.

Before it’s passing, there was some discussion by the senate, bringing up concerns over the specific functions of the wellness center.

To address these concerns, the senate voted to amend the resolution, adding some specific functions that they would like to see performed, should the center get approval from administration.

After the amendment, the Student Government voted to pass the resolution nearly unanimously, with one dissenting vote.

With its passing, the resolution shows to University WELLNESS on page 7

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4 • MSU Reporter

News

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Pres. Biden says nation weary from COVID

By ZEKE MILLER Associated Press President Joe Biden acknowledged Wednesday that the pandemic has left Americans exhausted and demoralized but insisted at a news conference marking his first year in office that he has “outperformed” expectations in dealing with it.

Facing sagging poll numbers and a stalled legislative agenda, Biden conceded he would likely have to pare back his “build back better” recovery package and instead settle for “big chunks” of his signature economic plan. He promised to further attack inflation and the pandemic and blamed Republicans for uniting in opposition to his proposals rather than offering ideas of their own. This is a perilous time for Biden: The nation is gripped by a disruptive new surge of virus cases, and inflation is at a level not seen in a generation. Democrats are bracing for a potential midterm rout if he can’t turn things around.

Biden insisted that voters will come to embrace a more positive view of his tenure — and of his beleaguered party — in time.

His appeal to voters for patience came with a pledge to spend more time outside Washington to make the case to them directly. Biden also addressed the brewing crisis on the Ukraine border, where Russia has massed some 100,000 troops and raised concerns that Moscow is ready to launch a further invasion.

The president said his “guess” is Russia may move further but he believes President Vladimir

SUSAN WALSH • Associated Press

President Joe Biden speaks during a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022.

Putin doesn’t want full-blown war. He declared Russia would pay a “dear price” if Putin launches a military incursion.

“He has to do something,” Biden said of Putin. “He is trying to find his place in the world between China and the West.”

Biden suggested a “minor incursion” might elicit a lesser response than a full-scale invasion of the country, a comment that drew immediate condemnation from some corners.

“President Biden basically

gave Putin a green light to invade Ukraine by yammering about the supposed insignificance of a ‘minor incursion,’” said Republican Sen. Ben Sasse.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki indicated in a subsequent statement that that wasn’t necessarily about tanks and troops. “President Biden also knows from long experience that the Russians have an extensive playbook of aggression short of military action, including cyberattacks and paramil-

itary tactics. And he affirmed today that those acts of Russian aggression will be met with a decisive, reciprocal, and united response,” she said. Biden held forth for 1 hour and 50 minutes in the East Room of the White House, appearing to relish the opportunity to parry questions from two dozen journalists with doses of wit and a few flashes of anger. At several points, he looked at his watch, smiled and kept calling on reporters.

He fielded questions about

inflation, nuclear talks with Iran, voting rights, political division, Vice President Kamala Harris’ place on the 2024 ticket, trade with China and the competency of government. Those questions showed the multitude of challenges confronting the president, each of them as much a risk as an opportunity to prove himself.

The president began by reeling off early progress in fighting the virus and showcasing quick passage of an ambitious bipartisan roads-and-bridges infrastructure deal. But his economic, voting rights, police reform and immigration agenda have all been thwarted in a barely Democratic-controlled Senate, while inflation has emerged as an economic threat to the nation and a political risk for Biden.

Despite his faltering approval numbers, Biden claimed to have “probably outperformed what anybody thought would happen” in a country still coping with the coronavirus. “After almost two years of physical, emotional and psychological impact of this pandemic, for many of us, it’s been too much to bear,” Biden said.

“Some people may call what’s happening now ‘the new normal,’’ he added, his voice rising. “I call it a job not yet finished. It will get better.”

On his nearly $2 trillion economic agenda that West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin has blocked from moving forward, Biden said he’ll pass the parts of the package that can net sufficient votes.

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Thursday, January 20, 2022

News

US offers 1B free COVID-19 tests

By MATTHEW PERONNE Associated Press

For the first time, people across the U.S. can log on to a government website and order free, at-home COVID-19 tests. But the White House push may do little to ease the omicron surge, and experts say Washington will have to do a lot more to fix the country’s long-troubled testing system.

The website, COVIDTests. gov, allows people to order four at-home tests per household, regardless of citizenship status, and have them delivered by mail. But the tests won’t arrive for seven to 12 days, after omicron cases are expected to peak in many parts of the country.

The White House also announced Wednesday that it will begin making 400 million N95 masks available for free at pharmacies and community health centers. Both initiatives represent the kind of mass government investments long seen in parts of Europe and Asia, but delayed in the U.S. “Should we have done more testing earlier? Yes, but we’re doing more now,” President Joe Biden said Wednesday, recapping his first year in office.

Experts say the plan to distribute 1 billion tests is a good first step, but it must become a regular part of the pandemic response. In the same way

STEVEN SENNE • Associated Press

A United States government website is displayed on a computer, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, in Walpole, Mass., that features a page where people can order free, at-home COVID-19 tests.

that it has made vaccines free and plentiful, the government must use its purchasing power to assure a steady test supply, they say.

“The playbook for rapid tests should look exactly like the playbook for vaccines,” said Zoe McLaren, a health economist at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

“They’re both things that help keep cases down and help keep COVID under control.”

A home test two-pack commonly sells for more than $20 at the store — if you can find one, amid the omicron-triggered rush to get tested. Since

last week, insurance companies have been required to cover the cost of up to eight at-home rapid tests bought at drugstores or online retailers.

The four tests per home made available through the government website may not go very far in some households.

Kristen Keymont, 30, is a voice and piano teacher who teaches online and shares a house in Ipswich, Massachusetts, with her partner and two other people. When one of her housemates tested positive just before Christmas, she and her partner spent $275 buying more than a dozen tests.

MSU Reporter • 5 DANCE from page 2 were ready to grind it out,” James said. “So in two hours we were able to take our placement from third to second.”

Junior team captain Reese Schwarzentraub explained how the team prepared mentally and physically before the big day.

“Before we actually competed, we had a practice on Wednesday in a parking lot for our game day performance to get up in that mindset of ‘We’re here and ready to compete’. Thursday, we spent about three hours practicing,” Schwarzentraub commented.

She then went on to explain how the team placed second for game day, the first in team history, and on Saturday the team performed in both the pom and jazz categories. In between each category the placements were announced, with MSU placing first in both categories for the semi-finals.

“As a team we have made history as we have never been first in both categories going into finals. After that it was all about keeping our position and not letting it slip away from us,” Schwarzentraub commented.

The finals for pom and jazz were held on Sunday, where the team took first place in both categories, again making team history.

“We didn’t have any expectations going into nationals this year. We just kind of wanted to put our dances out 

there and do the best we possibly could and for that our best to be number one in the entire nation for both of our dances was just an unreal feeling for everyone,” junior team captain Karley Odella said.

Added fifth-year team captain Paige Paquette, “I feel like this team was the legacy team and I’m just very happy that we were able to be a part of it this year.”

Competing at nationals this year didn’t come without struggles, as James pointed out.

“Coaching a younger team definitely can, and at times does, have its struggles, as you have no clue if the team is going to have a strong relationship with one another or not. In that sense, that was definitely not a struggle. This team without a doubt has such a great bond and loves each other.”

A large majority of the team has never made an appearance at nationals before, leaving them unsure of what to expect.

“With only having four vets on the team who have actually been and competed on the nationals floor we knew we needed to prepare the team. So, we gave them a full nationals playby-play of the flow and rundown,” James added.

“As a coach I was very nervous about only having four and ended up with three, due to an injury, on the floor. Nationals is loud and can be very DANCE on page 7 

6 • MSU Reporter

Thursday, January 20, 2022

SPRING 2022 EDITOR IN CHIEF:

MAXWELL MAYLEBEN

Try taking advantage of Hockey Day

maxwell.mayleben@mnsu.edu

MADISON DIEMERT

madison.diemert@mnsu.edu

Editorial Once in a lifetime Hockey Day Minnesota is in the city of Mankato, planted right in our backyard as this week long hockey event is being hosted at MSU’s Blakeslee Stadium.

As students, we should take full advantage of this opportunity as it is so close to home and something we might never see again.

Especially if you are a hockey fan, this week is a hockey lover’s dream. Not only can you get front row seats to see Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks men and womens teams take on St. Thomas, you also are able to witness the southern Minnesota celebrity game, and adult leagues.

Even if you are not the biggest hockey fan, Hockey Day Minnesota is featuring live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening as well as having numerous vendors selling foods to keep fans warm.

Mini donuts, hot coffee and buffalo wings, are just a few of the warm food options to get fans through the cold winter night.

Grooving to the beat of the live music is another thing other than just hockey that is available this week. Three bands will be performing which include Johnny Holm Band, IV Play and the Shane Martin Band. Besides the food and music, just being a part of a community and the feeling of being involved in something

NEWS DIRECTOR: Julia Barton julia.barton@mnsu.edu SPORTS EDITOR: Kole Buelow kole.buelow@mnsu.edu VARIETY EDITOR: Emma Johnson emma.johnson.5@mnsu.edu MEDIA/DESIGN DIRECTOR: Mansoor Ahmad mansoor.ahmad@mnsu.edu

EMILY LANSMAN • The Reporter

bigger than yourself is a feeling that doesn’t last forever.

College is a great opportunity to get involved in clubs, sports, or discover new hobbies. Not only does it introduce you into a new environment, it also can teach you valuable people skills which you can use later in life.

We as students should take full advantage of this since usually students are only here for a couple years. Having this temporary lifestyle being able to participate in fun weekly activities with your peers is a feel-

ing that will not last forever.

Not to mention the people you may meet just by simply going to events. Whether it be a sporting event, concert or attending a school club, you are bound to run into people with similar interests that could possibly become a friend.

Most of the time people meet their best friends or significant other in college and make memories that last a lifetime. Having COVID-19 turn the world upside down also proved to us that it is now more realistic than ever for honestly

anything to happen that might stop or limit all social events.

Unfortunately a lot of MSU students go home on the weekends, which is also when a lot of MSU events take place.

Knowing you will not be a student forever is a feeling that unfortunately hits when you become an upperclassman.

It is better to go and have an okay time than to regret never going and forever wonder what could’ve been. So take the opportunities as they come because you never know when you might get the chance again.

“Are you attending any Hockey Day activities?”

Compiled by Emma Johnson

ZACH DE LA CRUZ, JUNIOR

ALYSSA O’LEARY, SOPHOMORE

MADISON CLEVERLY, SOPHOMORE

“No, I’m going back home this “No, I haven’t been to a lot of “No, but I’m in aviation so weekend for a friends birthday hockey games this year yet but I’m trying to clock flight time party.”

I want to.” instead.”

RICARDO MORENO, JUNIOR

SHIN EGOSA, JUNIOR

“No, I don’t have too much interest in hockey.”

“No, I didn’t know there was a game but I go to a lot of the regular MSU games.”

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Thursday, January 20, 2022

News

MLK from page 2 Morris. With the themes of chang and call to action, many educators of the Mankato community express their role and influence.

“We need to teach the history and teach it accurately and make people uncomfortable and do the hard work,” Dr. Angela Cooley, Associate Professor of History at MSU.

In the coming months when the ground is warmer, a monument honoring MLK is planned to be unveiled at Mankato West High School where he spoke.

WELLNESS from page 3 President Edward Inch that the Student Government and their constituents support the creation of such a center.

The resolution will now go to the president for approval, and then subsequently up to the Board of Trustees.

“Whenever we are looking at buildings, the board of trustees gets involved,” said Svercl, referring to the creation of a new space for the center.

While this is the first step in the process for the Maverick Wellness Center, Svercl hopes

to see results quickly.

“We are hoping to have at least progress by at least summer,” said the vice-president, “our dream goal would be to have it open by fall, but we know that these things take a while.”

 DANCE from page 5 overwhelming, so I knew we had to walk them through every scenario and prepare them the best we could. No matter how much you prepare, nationals is something you have to experience to fully understand how magical it is.”

To cheer on the team, various alumni and family members made the trip down to Orlando, Florida.

Head coach Jennifer James said this support didn’t go un-

noticed.

“We had tons of alumni at the event, so that was amazing to see those former MSU dance team alumni come down to cheer us on and see us place that double natty’s championship. We’re just proud to represent our school in a great way and get our name out there,” James stated.

Among MSU, various other Minnesota schools placed within the top five in numer-

ous categories.

In this, St. Cloud State University took first in open game day and second in both pom and jazz, University of Minnesota-Duluth took fourth place in both pom and jazz, and College of St. Benedict took fifth in jazz.

“When you’re competing against schools from all over the country, it’s pretty exciting that Minnesota is hitting those top five placements,” James commented.





MSU Reporter • 7

Beijing residents disappointed Olympics will be closed

By Associated Press With just over two weeks before the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics, residents of the Chinese capital say they’re disappointed at not being able to attend events because of coronavirus restrictions that have seen parts of the city placed under lockdown.

Organizers announced Monday that no tickets will be sold to the general public and only selected spectators will be allowed.

Access to the famed National Stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest, and indoor venues in the heart of Beijing have been sealed off.

People interviewed Wednesday appeared understanding of the restrictions.

Many of them could be seen skating on Beijing’s frozen lakes in a sign of continuing enthusiasm for winter sports.

Because China allows no public protests or opinion

polling and tightly restricts free speech, any opposition to the Games or the restrictions would be muted.

Chen Lin had planned to buy tickets for speed skating, but gave up over personal concerns about the pandemic and after it became clear that tickets would only be offered to selected spectators.

“I went to the Beijing Summer Olympic Games in 2008.

It’s a pity that I won’t be able to watch the Games this time during the Winter Olympics,” the 38-year-old said. “Of course, we can still watch the Games with live broadcast on TV and live streaming online, but it doesn’t provide as strong a sense of engagement as watching the Games on the spot.”

Because China allows no public protests or opinion polling and tightly restricts free speech, any opposition to the Games or the restrictions would be muted.

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8 • MSU Reporter

Thursday, January 20, 2022

TH E REPO RTER ’S M O NTH LY RELIGIO U S D IRECTO RY

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Thursday, January 20, 2022

MSU Reporter • 9

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Lenten services begin Ash Wednesday, March 2nd

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ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH Mass Times:

Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday.....8:15 a.m.

Saturday................................................................5:15 p.m.

Sunday...............................8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.

Word/Communion Service Times:

Monday & Thursday................................8:15 a.m.

You are invited to come & pray with us!

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632 S. BROAD ST. • MANKATO, MN

10 • MSU Reporter

Hockey Day Minnesota 2022

Thursday, Janu

nuary 20, 2022

Hockey Day Minnesota 2022

MSU Reporter • 11

H O C K E Y DAY M I N N E S O TA 2 0 2 2

LET’S PLAY HOCKEY, ON A FOOTBALL FIELD The Mankato community gets the exciting and thrilling experience of hosting Hockey Day Minnesota this year, with several events held throughout the week. Community members of the youngest ages, all the way up to MSU alumni have received the unique honor of watching hockey being played on the historic Blakeslee stadium, home of Maverick football. With Blakeslee completely transformed to support the week-long celebration, members of the Mankato community as well as the campus have swarmed to take part in the festivities. Ages young and old have taken to the ice, with games being played at the youth, high school and college levels. For those not participating on the main rink, there are several vendor booths with food and drinks, as well as small pond hockey rinks for kids to throw on their skates and take a few laps. There is also a massive 2,000 square ft. entertainment tent where, throughout the weekend, different bands including the Johnny Holm Band, IV Play, and the Steve Martin Band will perform for hockey fans.

Photos by DYLAN ENGEL, EMILY LANSMAN, MADDIE BEHRENS and MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter

12 • MSU Reporter

Hockey Day Minnesota 2022

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Mavs split series, Tommies up next

By KOLE BUELOW Sports Editor

After heading on the road to upper Mich. this past weekend, the Mavericks came back home with one win in two games. The Minnesota State men’s hockey team traveled to play Northern Michigan on their nine-game winning streak, which was inevitably snapped by the Wildcats.

Northern Michigan’s unfamiliar olympic-sized sheet of ice got the best of the Mavericks in game one of the two-game series, as the Wildcats were able to take down No. 1 MSU. Minnesota State tallied the first goal of the game on the power play where Senior forward Julian Napravnik sniped the top right corner of the goal to put the Mavs up one with less than two minutes remaining.

Napravnik’s goal launched him into the 100-point club as a Maverick, becoming the seventeenth player in the program to reach the feat during Minnesota State’s time in NCAA Division I hockey.

The second period proved to be pivotal as the Wildcats took over scoring three goals to the Mavericks’ none going into the third. Despite sophomore forward Connor Gregga’s rebound goal at the 9:07 mark, MSU was unable to complete the comeback as Northern Michigan sealed the game with an empty-netter to win 2-4.

Minnesota State fared much better the next day, lighting the lamp first once again. Sophomore forward Ondrej Pavel got

MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter

Julian Napravnik (15) tallied four points this past weekend against Northern Michigan to move into a tie for ninth in total points in NCAA Division I hockey at 29.

the Mavs on the board, scoring his sixth goal of the year from the high slot to put the team up one 1:54 into the first period.

MSU proceeded to find the back of the net two more times before the first period expired, as junior forwards Cade Borchardt and Ryan Sandelin each got the puck past Northern Michigan goaltender Charlie Glockner.

The second period ended scoreless with both teams each getting a goal in the third.

With the 4-1 win, the Maver-

icks improved to 21-5-0 overall on the year with a record of 173-0 in the CCHA. The Wildcats surpassed Lake Superior State with their one win over the Mavs, now putting them at 139-1 overall and 7-8-1 in CCHA play.

Upcoming Minnesota State will compete against St. Thomas for the second time this season.

The two teams previously battled in a home and home split in the first set of games, which now warrants the same for this

upcoming weekend.

The Mavericks travel north to St. Paul on Jan. 20 to take on the Tommies in the first game of the series, and will return back home to play in the Hockey Day Minnesota game on Jan 22. The game will be held outside at the bound to be frigid Blakeslee Stadium.

MSU gave the Tommies a not so friendly welcome back to Division I hockey the last time the teams met, defeating St. Thomas 9-0 and 5-0 in those contests.

Until then, it was the first time the two teams had played each other since the 1996-97 season.

Senior defenseman Jack McNeely explained that the Tommies have improved a lot since the last time the Mavericks played them, and that it is going to be a battle the team is looking forward to.

The No. 2 Mavericks now get a chance at a regular season sweep of the Tommies with two wins this weekend. St. Thomas comes into the series with two wins on the season, putting them at 2-22-0 overall with a CCHA record of 2-16-0.

The team sits last in the conference with nine points, far behind the top Mavericks who have 44.

Minnesota State continues to be led by junior forward Nathan Smith in the points category, as Smith extended his NCAA Division I leading points mark to 35 with two points this past weekend against Northern Michigan. With a massive fourpoint weekend in Marquette, Napravnik now follows closely behind Smith at 29, which is tied for ninth in division I hockey.

With no shutouts this past weekend senior goaltender Dryden McKay is now tied for second in total shutouts this year at eight with Quinnipiac goalie Yaniv Perets.

With his ninth shutout of the year coming this past weekend, Northeastern’s Devon Levi now sits alone at the top.

Sandelin is now the leading goal scorer for the Mavericks at 14.

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Thursday, January 20, 2022

Hockey Day Minnesota 2022

Women’s hockey makes history, snaps Gopher’s 53-game streak

MSU Reporter • 13

Mullets are making money for local cancer charity

By LILLY SCHMIDT

Staff Writer

MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter

Minnesota State University, Mankato students are sporting mullets for more than just the look; they’re styling them to support charity.

For Hockey Day Minnesota this year, one of the events included a mullet contest.

The new competition started in November and was inspired because of Hockey Day. Maureen Gustafson from Mankato Area Foundation worked to help plan this event.

“The game on the very last day of Hockey Day is played between the Minneapolis Mullets and the Steel County Blades, so we thought we’d capitalize on the mullet name and do a promo,” shared Gustafson.

“We selected people that have a hockey affiliation or have been longtime hockey fans.”

All proceeds from the event go to the Jonathan Zierdt Cancer Fund. Established back in 2017, the fund started when Jonathan Zierdt, a well-known community member, was diagnosed with cancer.

The funds from the mullet competition will be donated to care boxes that will be given to patients, a request that Zierdt had.

“When [Zierdt] was diagnosed, people rallied around him. They wanted to do something,” said Gustafson.

“Through his experience, he wanted to make the cancer journey as respectful and dignified as possible, so he had this idea that at diagnosis, cancer patients would receive this box.”

Cancer patients receive well packaged boxes that are full of useful items. The contents of the boxes that patients will receive include a cancer fighting MULLETS on page 14 

Kelsey King (20) totaled two goals and three assists against the Gophers that included the Mavericks’ game-winning goal in overtime on Jan. 15. With five points King earned WCHA forward of the week honors.

By KOLE BUELOW Sports Editor

Despite a 2-7 loss at home against the No. 4 team in the nation, the Minnesota State women’s hockey team had one of their most historic moments in team history this past weekend. The Mavericks got to play their first game in nearly a month at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center against No. 4 Minnesota, losing that contest 2-7 in game one of their home and home series.

The Gophers undoubtedly got the best of MSU in the onslaught, scoring four goals in the first period and never looked back. The Mavs got on the board first only 25 seconds into the game, where senior forward Brittyn Fleming took the team’s first shot and turned it into their first goal.

That was just about all that went well for the team from there on out, as the Gophers proceeded to score four goals before the first period expired.

Minnesota continued to pile on the goals until Maverick’s junior forward Kelsey King stopped the madness with a goal of her own with less than a minute left to play in regulation.

Minnesota’s Amy Potomac and Savannah Norcross each tallied three points in the game, Potomac doing so with a first period hat trick and Norcross with three assists for the playmaker. The two teams then traveled north to the twin cities for game two of the series where the Mavericks made history.

MSU got on the board first once again in this one, as junior defenseman Charlotte Akervik buried a shot from the point to go up one on the power play.

Kelsey King King has 22 points on the season with 10 goals and 12 assists.

Calla Frank Frank is 9-9-1 in 19 starts with a .904 save percentage.

Brittyn Fleming Fleming leads the Mavs in points at 26 with 8 goals and 18 assists.

Akervik cashed in again nearly five minutes later with another goal to put the Mavs up two with 9:31 remaining in the first period.

It was not long before the Gophers responded with a goal of their own on the power play, but the Mavs got it right back thanks to junior Kennedy Bobyck’s two on one break-

away finish. Minnesota left MSU scoreless in the second while scoring two goals of their own, bringing a tie game into the third period.

The 3-3 score lasted nearly half the third period before the Mavericks scored the seventh goal of the game on a Jessica Kondas left point shot to go up one. The Gophers responded quickly on the power play and the two teams headed into overtime.

As the time winded down in overtime, Kondas ripped a shot towards King’s side of the ice.

King tipped the shot past the Gopher goaltender’s right side to seal the first Maverick win over the Gophers in 53 straight games.

The Mavs took home their first win against Minnesota since 2007, and their first win on the Gophers home ice since 2004 with the overtime win.

With two goals and three assists on the weekend King received WCHA Forward of the Week recognition.

Upcoming for MSU is a home and home series against St. Thomas, one of the games being played outdoors at Blakeslee Stadium in Mankato as a part of Hockey Day Minnesota. The two teams played each other earlier this season with the Mavericks coming out on top in both games by scores of 3-0 and 3-1.

The Mavs 6-11-1 conference record in the WCHA is good enough for fifth in the standings while St. Thomas sits last at 2-13-1.

With two wins this weekend MSU can improve on their conference record as well as their overall record of 10-11-1, pushing the team back above .500 for the first time since their Nov. 5 loss to the St. Cloud State Huskies.

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14 • MSU Reporter PUCKS from page 1 seeing how the community has gotten behind this. It’s amazing the amount of volunteers and committee members that have put so much time and effort into this and I want the events to highlight all the wonderful people who helped out,” Teresa Bergs, HDM executive committee member shared.

Those in the Mankato area can predict a significant amount of foot traffic on Friday and Saturday as Hockey Day Minnesota is known to draw in many fans.

Originating back in 2007 by the Minnesota Wild, this day was intended to celebrate the game that has made Minnesota the State of Hockey.

This year’s Hockey Day Minnesota kicked off Sunday, with games featuring youth leagues that competed against other southern Minnesota teams. With Monday and Tuesday following they held games during the evening and Wednesday featuring women’s hockey which included Mankato East vs Mankato West.

Thursday is community night, costing $10 for admission with all proceeds going to charities. This will consist of the Minnesota Warriors starting at 5:30 p.m., Ceremonial Puck Drop by Officer Arik Matson of Waseca, MN in the Southern MN Celebrity game at 8:00 p.m. and the Ceremonial Puck Drop

by Mankato Mayor Najwa Massad ending with live music by Johnny Holm Band at 8:30 p.m.

Friday night the gates open at 4:30 p.m. with a $20 admission fee. The boys will take the ice as Mankato East vs Mankato West play at 5:30 p.m. The games will be streamed on public access television and Bally Sports North +. The MSU Alumni game will follow starting at 8:45 p.m. with men’s hockey coach Mike Hastings dropping the puck, featuring a music performance by IV Play.

Saturday the gates will open at 8 a.m. with a $65 admission fee stepping right into the action with the Edina vs Andover girls hockey game at 9:30 a.m. Following is the East Grand Forks vs Prior Lake boys game at 1:00 p.m. To end the night, the final game will feature the MSU’s men’s hockey team as they take on St. Thomas at 4:30 p.m. The MN Wild vs Chicago Blackhawks game will also be streamed at the arena while showcasing the Shane Martin band.

The last day entails all things family having no admission fee and gates opening at 7 a.m. Sunday will feature the MSU Women’s Alumni game at 11:00 a.m, the MSU vs St. Thomas Women’s game at 1:00 p.m., MN Mullets vs Steele County Blades at 4:30 p.m., and finally the Pub 500 vs Rounders game at 7:30 p.m. 

Hockey Day Minnesota 2022

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Setting up Hockey Day Minnesota

By MAXWELL MAYLEBEN Editor in Chief

With Hockey Day in full stride in Mankato, it is obvious how much planning and organization that has gone in to make this event a reality. Hockey Day, a yearly tradition for Minnesotans, began in 2007. The event was created by the Minnesota Wild to celebrate the sport of hockey in Minnesota.

In cooperation with Bally Sports North, The Minnesota Wild chose the location for Hockey Day years before the event in order to create enough time to plan and organize.

For Mankato’s Hockey Day celebration, planning began roughly two years ago according to Lindsay Botker, a member of the Local Organizing Committee.

“I was part of the initial group out here once we announced that Hockey Day was EMILY LANSMAN • The Reporter coming to Mankato,” said BotA mix of die hard fans and Mankato natives vouched for the city to host Hockey Day Minnesota. Hockey Day ker.

When it came to choosing now comes to Blakeslee Stadium requiring leveling, extra seating, an a 20,000 square foot entertainment tent.

Mankato as the location, Botker made note that there were a plethora of unique challenges. lenges, such as televising the mal. local rumblings for support in According to Botker, there is main events and organizing the “Priority number one is the the area, but some die hard fans a significant pitch on the stadi- village area.Within the village, entertainment tent so we can decided to reach out to make it um, and for ice rinks to function just behind the grandstand, return that back to MSU,” said happen. there will be food and drink Botker. “They have been very they need to be perfectly level.

“After seeing it in Saint To solve this problem the or- vendors, as well as pond hockey gracious to allow us to monopCloud,” said Botker, “they real- ganizing crew laid out roughly a rinks for kids to skate on. olize that space, so we want to ly saw that they had a competi- foot of sand on one side in order As far as large-scale con- get people who have parking tive chance to land it.” struction for the event, there is passes access to that lot as soon to keep the rink level.

Botker has been responsible “They essentially made a a five thousand square foot VIP as possible”. for Logistics and Operations for sandbox on which the rink tent that was constructed on the As for melting the rink, acthe event, and has been working sits,” said Botker, “if you see on south side of the rink, as well as cording to Botker, it depends on hard to bring Hockey Day to one side closer to the visitor’s a 20 thousand square foot en- the weather. life. The outdoor event is being grandstand it is almost field lev- tertainment tent.

“It all depends on mother held at the Blakeslee Stadium el, and on the other it is lifted After Saturday, the next lo- nature and how warm the temat Minnesota State University, further up.” gistical hurdle will be striking peratures get,” said Botker, “so Mankato, and building a hockIn addition to the rink there the Hockey Day set up and re- we can slowly let that melt and ey rink on a football field brings are several other logistical chal- turning Blakeslee back to nor- slowly disassemble.”

MULLETS from page 13 cookbook, a blanket, a journal and a gift card to cover gas or prescription costs. Over 6,000 boxes are given to patients each year.

“Whenever a patient is diagnosed with cancer, the nurse or doctor presents them with the gift box,” said Gustafson. We 

just get tons of beautiful notes and letters from these patients on how wonderful it felt at this really low time in their life to see that people cared about them and that people were thinking about them.”

To support the charity, all people have to do is vote for their favorite mullet on the

Hockey Day Mankato website.

“On the [Hockey Day] page, there’s a link on there for all of the mullet growers,” shared Gustafson. “Each participant has a GoFundMe page and people can vote for them. It’s a dollar a vote.”

During the game on Sunday the winner will be announced. A

short video will be played showing the mullet growing journey of each of the participants.

Overall, Gustafson is incredibly pleased with the kindness of those competing.

“It’s just been fun to see how generous they’ve been, and how they’ve been such good sports for us,” said Gustafson.

GOOD LUCK

MAVERICK MEN’S HOCKEY!

1671 E. Madison Ave. • 507-388-4895 • www.jerrysbodyshop.com

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Hockey Day Minnesota 2022

MSU Reporter • 15

Wild scribe returns to Mankato Plenty of college graduates find work in their chosen field and go on to fulfilling careers.

But few can say they’ve landed their “dream job.”

Meet Dan Myers, digital content coordinator for the Minnesota Wild. A Minnesota State alum (class of ‘07), Myers worked at The Reporter for several years prior to graduation.

After a series of jobs he finally found his way to the NHL. He’s in town this week for Hockey Day Minnesota, the Wild’s annual, traveling celebration of the state’s official sport.

With Hockey Day taking place in Mankato this year, a Q&A with Myers seemed like a natural fit.

The Reporter: Tell us about your involvement with Hockey Day Minnesota.

Dan Myers: I was down last week and chatted with folks on the MSU men’s and women’s hockey teams, as well as people from both Mankato East and West boys and girls teams to kind of lay the groundwork for stories I’m in the process of writing.

From that point on I’ll be trying to tell the stories of these games of these teams and why this event is so important and such a big deal. Hockey Day has never been done in southern Minnesota before.

The Reporter: How important is it that Hockey Day has come to Mankato?

Dan Myers: It’s the 14th edition of Hockey Day and, for the first time, it’s being done south of the Twin Cities. There’s such a rich history of hockey in that part of the state that so many people don’t know about. We’re excited to show people that the state of hockey doesn’t stop at Lakeville or Rosemount. It goes all the way down to Mankato and beyond.

The Reporter: Describe your role with the wild.

Dan Myers: My title is digital content coordinator. And it’s a long title for essentially being the team’s beat writer. It’s my job to tell the team’s story on our official website, wild.com.

The Reporter: The Wild are having a pretty good season. Is it more fun to work there when they’re doing well?

Dan Myers: Yes, it’s easier to tell stories and more people engage with the content when the team is having success. The fans are generally happier when the team is doing well. And the guys on the team, not surprisingly, are a little more open and a little more willing to interact with us as members of the media.

The Reporter: When you were hired, you described it as getting your dream job. Why? Dan Myers: I was one of the rare kids that went to Minnesota State in fall of 2003 that knew exactly what I wanted to do. I was the sports editor and the editor in chief of my high school newspaper.

I knew from the time I was a freshman in high school that I wanted to get into sports writing. On the first day of freshman orientation I got a job with The Reporter.

“Network network network. Because, as the saying goes, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know, and that’s 100% true.”

Initially I wanted to cover the NFL. But during my freshman year I got the opportunity to cover the Minnesota State women’s hockey team as my beat, which turned into covering Minnesota State’s men’s team.

And I knew from the middle of my freshman year that I wanted to cover hockey.

The Reporter: So what do you remember most fondly?

About your time at MSU? Dan Myers: I met my wife

Dan Myers interviews current Minnesota Wild starting goaltender Cam Talbot. Talbot has started in 24 games this season for the Wild and holds a 15-8-1 record and .909 save percentage in those games.

Courtesy photos

Dan Myers (left) and Kevin Gorg complete an interview for Hockey Day Minnesota. Myers worked at The Reporter prior to graudation from Minnesota State and will be returning to Mankato for Hockey Day.

there. I met my best friends here.

All three of them were groomsmen in my wedding.

From a career standpoint, working at The Reporter was vital to where I am right now. I wouldn’t be where I am without my time at The Reporter.

The Reporter: Any advice for students who may be interested in a career in the professional sports or media business?

Dan Myers: Network as much as possible. Having an undergrad degree certainly helps.

But, for me … I had to grind and

grind. I drove a school bus and wiped down tables at one point to keep my dream alive. These are things I did for three or four years between my first full-time job out of college — which paid $25,000 a year until I got laid off in 2008 when the economy changed, and I got laid off — until my big break came in 2011 when NHL.com came calling.

They were looking for someone to cover the (Wild’s) home games. And it wasn’t my college degree that got me in the door. A guy who I freelanced for recommended me to NHL.com.

I didn’t even have to interview for the job. They called and offered it to me on the spot.

Then in the fall of 2016, the guy who had the job I have now left and, again, I had to interview but they basically told me the job is yours if you want it.

It was all knowing people and getting as much practical experience as I can and doing whatever I could do to keep that dream alive.

Network network network.

Because, as the saying goes, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know, and that’s 100% true.

16 • MSU Reporter

Hockey Day Minnesota 2022

Thursday, January 20, 2022

How MSU built a winning culture

By KOLE BUELOW Sports Editor

The Minnesota State men’s hockey team seemed to be a sure lock for an under .500 season before current head coach Mike Hasting’s tenure began. The 2011-12 season was coming to a close for the Mavericks as they looked forward to the WCHA postseason against a top-ranked No. 3 Duluth team.

The Mavs had finished the regular season 12-22-1 overall before heading into the WCHA postseason and drew the No. 3 Bulldogs for one final time.

MSU ended up getting swept in the series, bringing the team’s final record to 12-24-1 heading into the 2012-13 season.

It became an “out with the old, in with the new” offseason for the Mavericks, as they moved on from their previous head coach Troy Jutting. Jutting finished his 12-year tenure with the team with an overall record of 184–224–55 with a .457 win percentage. While contemplating many coaching prospects, Hastings won the job and took over the program to make it the best it has ever been.

It was going to be hard to pass up Hastings’ impressive resume as he came onto the scene, where the coach led the USHL’s Omaha Lancers to zero losing seasons in his tenure. The Lancers captured three Clark Cup playoff championships along with two USA hockey national championships under Hastings, helping him win three coach of the year awards.

Hastings finished his tenure as the Lancers’ head coach as the USHL’s all-time winningest coach with a record of 529-21056 before leaving the league for collegiate hockey in 2008.

Hastings wanted to turn the Mavericks into winners, and he did just that in his first season. It felt like a whole new beginning for the team, as they went 2414-3 including the postseason and inevitably made it to the WCHA final five before being knocked out by Wisconsin and Nebraska Omaha.

It was disappointing to see the team turn the program around so fast but get knocked out of the WCHA playoffs, but it would only be a matter of time before the Mavs would never feel that way again. In less than a decade, coach Hastings has turned the Minnesota State men’s hockey team into a conference and nationally recognized program that is now known as “one of the best.”

In his tenure, the Mavs have now played in six NCAA tournaments while making their first Frozen Four appearance in the 2021 season. The MacNaughton Cup, the prized possession of the WCHA regular-season champion, has practically made itself a permanent stay at the Mavericks training facility as the team has won the award six times in seven years (2015,

2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021).

MSU has also found themselves continuous contenders in the NCAA tournament, competing in the tournament six of eight possible times during Hastings’ time as coach. Most recently the Mavericks have been bouncing back from a heartbreaking loss in the 2021 Frozen Four.

The Mavs made it to the tournament drawing Quinnipiac in the first round. The team made an amazing comeback to bring the game to overtime tied 3-3.

MSU ended up taking home the win after current junior forward Ryan Sandelin grabbed a rebound in the front of the Bobcat net to help the Mavs move on.

From there, the Mavericks were faced with the West Region’s top seed Minnesota Gophers and took care of business with a 4-0 shutout to move onto the Frozen Four in Pittsburgh.

Minnesota State inevitably was eliminated by St. Cloud in the first round of the Frozen Four, but their efforts that season will always be remembered as it is the team’s most successful season to date.

In accordance with his accomplishments, Hastings has brought loads of prospects and fans to the program who might have never considered Minnesota State a home. The Mavs head coach has won the American Hockey Coaches Association’s Spencer Penrose Award twice in his tenure at MSU, each coming in 2015 and 2021.

Hastings is also a four-time WCHA coach of the year and was picked as the WCHA coach of the decade in the 2010s as a part of the conference’s 70-year anniversary celebration in 2021.

In addition, Hastings has gone on to coach the U.S. World Junior Team in 2019 and led Team USA to a silver medal.

The Mavs’ head coach is now in line to join team USA once again as an assistant coach for the Beijing Olympics along with player Nathan Smith.

Hastings explained in a press conference on Jan. 19 that there is a huge degree of importance that players make the national teams and that they always come back better players.

It is hard to look over the MSU head coach’s prestigious resume, and that has undoubtedly helped the Mavericks bring in top talent from across the world. In his time at MSU, Hastings has coached seven ACHA All-Americans including twotime nominee Dryden McKay. McKay has also become a top-three finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, which is awarded to the best player in college hockey while also being topthree twice for the Mike Richter Award, which is given to the nation’s top goaltender. Hastings has coached four players into ACHA First Team honors as All-Americans, which included Matt Leitner, Winnipeg Jets

Maverick Athletics and Reporter file photo

Under head coach Mike Hastings, the Minnesota State Mavericks have reached the NCAA tournament six of eight possible times. The Mavs most recently made their first appearance at the Frozen Four in program history while taking down the Quinnipiac Bobcats and Minnesota Gophers in the NCAA West Regional.

In less than a decade, coach Hastings has turned the Minnesota State men’s hockey team into a conference and nationally recognized program... draft pick C.J. Suess, current Toronto Marlie Marc Michaelis, and McKay. The list looks to expand itself this year in addition to the previous players, as junior forward Nathan Smith and senior forward Julian Napravnik are both having tremendous seasons. The

two players are in the top ten in points for this year, with Smith leading the group at 35 heading into Hockey Day Minnesota.

Hastings has brought loads of fans to the team from across the country due to his successes in building the team. Success never goes unnoticed, which

has helped the team gain national recognition from people who would have had little to no knowledge of the team outside of the state of Minn.

For the team’s players, the Mavericks have gained more professional recognition than ever from across the globe.

GOOD LUCK MAVERICK HOCKEY!

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Hockey Day Minnesota 2022

Rocking the Blakeslee ice rink: Hockey Day concert lineup

MSU Reporter • 17

The frozen famous: celebrity game raises money for ECHO

By LILLY SCHMIDT

Staff Writer

Courtesy photo

The Shane Martin band is performing at 8:30 p.m. at Blakeslee Stadium for Hockey Day Minnesota on Saturday, Jan. 22. Other concerts included in the lineup are the Johnny Holm Band and IV Play.

By EMMA JOHNSON and SYDNEY BERGGREN The Reporter staff

After the final goal and all of the fast paced action is over, fans want to keep the party going and celebrate their victories.

To do this, Hockey Day Minnesota has a lineup of concerts to continue the celebrations including the Johnny Holm Band, IV Play and the Shane Martin band.

With a variety of genres hitting the stage, there is sure to be a performance for everyone to enjoy.

On Thursday, the Johnny Holm band is hitting the stage.

As a native Minnesotan born in Brainerd, Holm started playing music in college at Minnesota State University Moorhead and has been playing with his band for over five decades.

According to The Johnny Holm band website, his performances are described as “mostly impromptu” and “never a dull moment,” ensuring that no two concerts are exactly alike.

Known for playing a variety of hits that range from AC/DC to Charlie Daniels, the band fluctuates between eras in the span of only a few songs.

The most notable aspect of the band is getting the crowd involved as much as possible.

No matter what the style of music, this is one performance audiences won’t want to miss.

On Friday night, the band IV Play is set to perform. Pronounced “foreplay,” the band formed in 1999 by a group of high schoolers from Madison Lake.

Only one original member remains- Tyler Dilla, a star fiddle player- but the other five members definitely have talents to boast.

Lantz Dale and Jeremy Po-

land both joined the group in 2013 after some original members left. They were followed soon by Wed Bollingmo in 2015, and then Wade Crookner and Bren Archambault in 2016.

While all members are on vocals, they each bring a variety of instrumental skills to the table.

Dylla plays the fiddle along with the guitar, Archambault is on the drums, Bollingmo plays the bass and keys, Crooker plays the saxophone and Dale and Poland are guitarists.

IV Play is a pop and rock cover band singing songs by Motley Crue, Bruno Mars, Styxx and more that is guaranteed to get you on your feet.

Not only do they have a repertoire of well loved songs, they also love interacting with their audience, both at events and on social media. Engaging with people is a priority of theirs, and their social medias are consistently interacted with.

Finally on Saturday, the Shane Martin band takes the stage.

For the Shane Martin Band, getting to play Hockey Day was something lead singer Shane Martin was excited to jump on board with, as several of his family members are involved in hockey.

“My son is a second-year Phantom and my cousin Paul Martin played in the NHL, so an event like this is going to be great,” shared Martin. “We’re gonna have a good time.”

Music has played a significant part in Martin’s life.

From his mother who used to play guitar and sing in church to his grandma who played piano by ear, his love for music started when he started playing guitar.

“Some friends from school were talking about starting

a rock band before any of us could drive,” said Martin. “I would bike over to my friend’s house after school with my guitar and we’d make a bunch of noise in the basement.”

Performing in the middle of a pandemic was challenging for the Shane Martin band.

Not being able to interact with the crowds, seeing smiling faces and not being able to exchange energy with the fans was difficult for Martin.

“When everything shut down, I did some Facebook live shows, not just to keep my fans engaged, but to keep me playing and keep the music alive,” shared Martin. “It just wasn’t like it was [pre-pandemic].”

Drawing from his earliest influences such as Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi and Garth Brooks, audiences can expect a mix of both country and rock.

“Some of my roots are based in rock, but we usually lean towards the modern country edge. We play anything with a good harmony,” said Martin.

“We also mix some of our own music with cover songs by artists such as Keith Urban, The Zac Brown Band and The Eagles.”

Martin hopes that his performance will leave the audience wanting to hear more as well as to have a good time.

“That’s what [performing] is all about; expanding the fanbase and seeing people come back and want to be a part of what we do on stage,” said Martin.

“We pride ourselves on local harmonies and getting the crowd involved in hopes they come back for another show.”

All bands are set to play at Blakeslee Stadium in the heated OFC Entertainment tent Thursday through Friday at 8:30 p.m.

In an effort to raise money for ECHO Food Shelf amateure hockey players are going head-to-head in a fun celebrity hockey game match on Thursday, Jan. 20 as a part of Hockey Day Minnesota.

Hot 96.7 and Mankato Radio host, Jeff Lang, is going to be a coach for the River’s Edge Team. Lang’s team will face off against the Mankato Clinic Team coached by radio host Jessica Blais from Country 103.5. Lang didn’t anticipate becoming a coach.

“They reached out to me, actually. They asked me if I wanted to be a celebrity coach and I said ‘for those who can’t play, they can coach’, so that’s what I’ll do,” said Lang.

Both teams competing in the match are made up of local celebrities and people who are involved in the local commu-

nity.

“The term ‘celeb’ is very loosely used. I definitely don’t consider myself one,” said Lang. “The people playing on the team like to be part of activities [in the community,] so it works out perfectly.”

While it might be the first time Hockey Day is hosted in Mankato, it is not Lang’s first time attending Hockey Day. Lang is excited for the opportunity to be involved.

“I was at the Minneapolis Hockey Day Minnesota event, a different basis all around, but I got to see how it went and it was fun to be part of. Mankato has already gone above what that was,” said Lang. “Getting to be a part of the first event is very exciting. I look forward to being a part of it.”

Amid all the action, Lang also shed light on the reason behind all the fun: charity.

“The celebrity night [proCELEBS on page 19 

GOOD LUCK MAVERICK HOCKEY! FROM YOUR FANS AT

1501 NORTH RIVERFRONT DRIVE | MANKATO

507-388-5555

FROM YOUR FANS AT

Commercial and Industrial Buildings Office: (507) 849-7429 • Fax: (507) 849-7430 131 Torgerson Lane • Jackson, MN www.tristategc.net License No. BC760623

18 • MSU Reporter

LITTLE LEAGUERS, BIG DREAMERS The Austin Youth Hockey Team PeeWee B2 Gray walked into Hockey Day excited and proud to be playing at such a time in their lives.

Inside the locker room, the young athletes prepared for their competition that awaited for them outside.

Pumped up from enthusiastic chants, the adrenaline inside them kept building as the time drew closer for them to take the ice against Owatonna.

They were ready to brace the elements and keep their heads high no matter the result of the game.

“Whether we are winning by 10 points or losing by 10 points, the most important thing is that we have fun,” said coach Andy Bang, as he encouraged his team in the locker room.

The mindset of these kids was nothing short of determined, and they were happy to be there in the moment. The matchup was a strong one, however the team fought an incredible game.

With the ice-cold winds pushing them every which way, they never lost hope and battled hard to the very end.

Regardless of what happened, they were set on having a good time playing a sport they love.

Led by coach Bang, the boys put up a strong fight against their opponents as well as battling the wind Tuesday night.

Motivation for the competition that lay ahead of them, having fun and enjoying the time from this opportunity drove them forward to a well-fought game.

Despite a loss, the team was defeated in score but not in spirit. The fight against their opponents and having the opportunity to play under the lights of the Blakeslee Stadium kept their spirits high.

Photo story by DYLAN ENGEL • The Reporter

Hockey Day Minnesota 2022

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Hockey Day Minnesota 2022

MSU Reporter • 19 CELEBS from page 17 ceeds] are going to the ECHO Food Shelf. With the radio stations I work for – Hot 96.7 and Radio Mankato – I’ve helped out with Echo Food Shelf during North Mankato Fun Days,” said Lang.

“Being able to give back to them also in the winter is pretty exciting and I’m excited to help out with that.”

According to their website, the Emergency Community Help Organization, or ECHO, provides food to people in Blue Earth County. They donate over 160,000 pounds of food per month. Their food services allow the receivers to select which food items they would like best, rather than receiving a pre-built box.

To support the cause, links are located on the Hockey Day Minnesota website under the events tab to all of your favorite players. In order to match for your donation, Lang shares his coaching strategies.

“I’m basically using famous lines from hockey coaches in movies,” said Lang. “I’m assuming the easiest way to win is to stay warm, and it’s going to be cold, so I have to win!” 

BATTLE OF ‘KATO: EAST-WEST JV GIRLS The Mankato East and West highschools faced each other in the JV girls match at the rink on Blakeslee Stadium Wednesday during Hockey Day Minnesota 2022 in Mankato. The Mankato East Cougars beat the Mankato West Scarlets 10-0.

Photo by MANSOOR AHMAD • The Reporter

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