That’s when a somewhat complex mathematical formula called the Pairwise Rankings kept Minnesota State out of the NCAA tournament and put a pair of seemingly inferior teams (although one of those teams, Notre Dame, would advance all the way to the national championship game) in the final 16.

It was an anticlimactic outcome that left local hockey fans wanting for more.

Local hockey fans — including many who are trading in their maroon-and-gold gear for purple-and-gold stuff — are expecting the upcoming season is worth the 61⁄2-month wait.

As for the Mavericks, expectations are just as high. And they shouldn’t have to look too far to find some momentum and motivation.

Shane Frederick is a Free Press staff writer. Access his college hockey blog through www.mankatofreepress.com