When Minnesota State men’s hockey coach Mike Hastings arrived in Mankato, conference championships were always the goal.

There was reason to worry about the Minnesota State men’s hockey team at times against Ferris State last weekend.

When Minnesota State men’s hockey player Brendan Furry had his second shoulder surgery in less than two years in June of 2019, he knew there was a long road ahead.

BIG RAPIDS, MICH. — For a second straight night, the Minnesota State men’s hockey team was tested by last-place Ferris State.

BIG RAPIDS, MICH. — Coming into Friday’s nonconference game with the Minnesota State men’s hockey team, Ferris State hadn’t beaten a Division I opponent all season.

Minnesota State men’s hockey coach Mike Hastings knows just how good Julian Napravnik can be.

About 11 years ago, in the waning days of my lackluster youth hockey career, I had two steps on another player as we each raced into the corner after a loose puck.

For years, Connor Mackey has imagined his NHL debut.

After months of speculation, the WCHA men’s hockey tournament finally has a format.

HUNTSVILLE, ALA. — There must just be something about the second period for the Minnesota State men’s hockey team.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — There was reason to worry early.

If you look at the Minnesota State men’s hockey team’s scoring leaders, it’s not as senior-laden at the top as it’s been in other seasons, especially last season.

BLOOMINGTON — It didn’t take long for the WCHA to react after Saturday’s Minnesota State men’s hockey game against Bowling Green, which ended with an illegal check and fights.

On paper, the Minnesota State men’s hockey team’s series against Bowling Green pitted one of the nation’s best offenses against one of its best defenses.

As great as the Minnesota State men’s hockey team’s power play has been, there’s been something tough about the five-minute majors.

By age 10, most players on the Minnesota State men’s hockey team were already well into their hockey careers, likely dreaming about being where they are today.

Due to the odd nature of the season, it’s been harder to learn about the Minnesota State men’s hockey team.

MANKATO — The good times just keep rolling for Minnesota State men’s hockey player Dryden McKay.

BEMIDJI — For the Minnesota State men’s hockey team, special teams have driven the bus, with the power play ranking first in the nation and the penalty kill ranking ninth.

After Minnesota State men’s hockey player Dallas Gerads’ senior season at Blaine, he wasn’t sure about the next step.

Throughout the offseason, so many wondered which players would be the high-end producers for the Minnesota State men’s hockey team.

MANKATO — The Minnesota State men’s hockey team has had yet another schedule change.

In recent years, the Minnesota State men’s hockey team’s power play has been great, with percentages over 27% in two of the last three years.

Generally, the save of the game for the Minnesota State men’s hockey team goes to goaltender Dryden McKay, and for good reason.

Last season, the Minnesota State men’s hockey team was one of the best defensive teams in the nation, surrendering only 1.47 goals per game.

Last season, it seemed like Dryden McKay did just about everything a goaltender could do.

SAULT STE. MARIE, MICH. — For the Minnesota State men’s hockey team, it’s generally not the same players every night.

SAULT STE. MARIE, MICH. — When Dryden McKay gets in a zone, it’s usually bad news for opponents.

When it comes to big-time sports, we generally just take the athletes’ conditioning for granted.

Going into each season, Minnesota State men’s hockey coach Mike Hastings has players he knows will likely spend most of the year on the lineup bubble.

MANKATO — The coronavirus pandemic has touched the Minnesota State men’s hockey team yet again.

So often in sports, we try to put labels on teams.

MARQUETTE, MICH. — The Minnesota State men’s hockey team’s power play looked the part throughout the first half of the season.

MARQUETTE, Mich. — In the Minnesota State men’s hockey team’s first five games of the season, coach Mike Hastings hasn’t always been happy with the starts.

A year ago at this time, we knew so much about the Minnesota State men’s hockey team.

Over the last 10 days, Mike Hastings and the Minnesota State men’s hockey coaching staff have challenged Julian Napravnik.

Admittedly, Riese Zmolek has never been one of the more vocal players on the Minnesota State men’s hockey team.

After Minnesota State men’s hockey player Jake Jaremko finished with 39 points as a freshman, just behind the likes of C.J. Suess and Marc Michaelis, his career trajectory seemed clear.

When it comes to college sports in 2020, uncertainty is the only certainty.

HOUGHTON, MICH. — Sometimes, despite tremendous pressure, the puck just doesn’t find the back of the net.

HOUGHTON, MICH. — After a two-week, virus-induced absence for the Minnesota State men's hockey team, coach Mike Hastings didn't know what to expect.

In a normal year, the Don Brose Training Center would be buzzing with Minnesota State men’s hockey players right now.

Midnight, Central Time, was approaching, and, all of a sudden, I couldn’t figure out my computer.

The Minnesota State men’s hockey team was the highest-scoring team in college hockey this past season but loses nearly half of its goals to graduation and early departure.

After Ryan Carter retired from the National Hockey League in 2017 and finished his Minnesota State University degree in 2018, he wasn’t sure what he’d be doing next.

He was considered one of the 10 best players in college hockey, along with one of his teammates.

Three Minnesota State men’s hockey players were named All-Americans by the American Hockey Coaches Association on Saturday night following a 31-5-2 season that was shortened by the coronavirus pandemic.

He’s a finalist for an award named after one great goaltender.

This was supposed to be the week.