Two playoff rematches, a bittersweet homecoming and a butterfly finding its wings are on full display on FloHockey this weekend.

Payback

In the last two NCAA tournaments, the Minnesota State Mavericks ended seasons of promise for Minnesota's flagship hockey power, the Minnesota Golden Gophers, but six months is a lifetime in college hockey.

The Mavs have lost Hobey Baker Award-winning goalie Dryden McKay, while the Gophers have gained the most exciting recruit in college hockey. 

Last week's five-goal exhibition loss has the Mavericks stumbling in the polls. It appears that payback is upon us this weekend, when Minnesota's two powerhouses play a home-and-home rematch from the 2022 NCAA semifinals. 

Saturday's game in Mankato will be must-see TV on FloHockey, but don't expect to see the same purple people eaters who came within a period of snatching the NCAA title last spring.

"Our group's different," said Mike Hastings, now in his 11th year as head coach at Minnesota State. "We're different between the posts, we're different back at the blue line, really from top to bottom, and we've got to own that."

#5 Mavericks square-off vs. #2 Gophers This Weekend.
Details: https://t.co/P6pv22Qq8o pic.twitter.com/urAOXWlfqn

— Minnesota State Hockey (@MinnStMHockey) October 4, 2022

For the last two years, state bragging rights in Minnesota haven't been settled until the season's last weekend. 

Minnesota, St. Cloud, Duluth and Minnesota State all have been to the Frozen Four the last two seasons, and one of those teams has been in the NCAA Championship game each of the past three years, but climbing to the top of the hockey mountain in Minnesota does not translate into recruiting victories. 

Hastings still will build his club with veterans who have aged out of junior hockey, while the Golden Gophers bag the nation's most dazzling teenagers, like current freshman Logan Cooley.

"He's incredibly talented, a headache for the opposing coach," said Hasting of the skater who went third overall in the NHL draft three months ago. "He's so multi-dimensional, scoring a goal or making people miss. Talented, gifted, hungry."

It's the conveyer belt of blue-chip talent running through Minneapolis that gives the Gophers their golden luster. 

"Their lineups, the draft picks, the big names in their program, obviously that's flashy," said Mavericks alternate captain Sam Morton. "It's definitely an easy game to get excited for."

It's No. 2 Minnesota and No. 5 Minnesota State, Saturday night in prime time on FloHockey. 

The latter is trying to find itself, and the former wants to settle some unfinished business. Pride from recent conquests might be a detriment when the puck drops this weekend. 

"Last year's done," Hastings said. "We've got to look out the windshield, not the rearview mirror."

The Prodigal Son

At 8:01 p.m. E! on Friday, a big crowd at Bemidji's Sanford Center will be faced with Caesarian dilemma: thumbs up or thumbs down? 

For the past two seasons, there has been at least one Sillinger brother setting the pace for the abrasive hockey Beavers of Bemidji. Last season, senior Owen and sophomore Lukas powered Bemidji to the CCHA championship game, a single puck bounce from their second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament.

The off-season has brought the graduation of Owen, and the transfer of Lukas, and now Bemidji finds itself void of the passion, grit and irrepressible will of the men named Sillinger. 

Finally GAME WEEK!!

Beavers host Arizona State this weekend at Sanford Center!!#GoBeavers #BeaverTerritory pic.twitter.com/vblr3DNFOT

— Bemidji State Men’s Hockey (@BSUBeaversMHKY) October 3, 2022

In a story twist reminiscent of ancient Homer, the schedule makers have placed Lukas Sillinger back in his former home on opening night, but instead of wearing the forest green of Bemidji, he will be adorned in the sherbet glow of Arizona State, the independent upstarts of NCAA hockey.

Wednesday's press conference from the banks of Lake Bemidji ignored the elephant in the room, as veteran coach Tom Serratore and his captain never broached the subject of the return of Sillinger. 

Despite the deafening silence, fans will rule the moment. Will there be a fitting ovation for the Beaver's third leading scorer of 2021-2022? Or will Sillinger be serenaded by a chorus of passionate boos for showing up in the wrong laundry? A classic sports moment will occur just seconds into Friday's broadcast on FloHockey. 

At game's end, the emotion will be more visceral. The post-game handshake line will allow the players to express themselves fully. One member of the enemy Sun Devils will be hugged, not shaken. No. 61 in the orange sweater will be embraced by every veteran in green, a conga-line of players who benefitted from his full-throated passion the past two years.

Ballet, Not Braun

Fans of CCHA hockey are aficionados of aggression, versed in the violent world of wall-battles and crease wars that often dictate victory in a league known for grit. 

Arizona State has adapted to this league, in which it plays so frequently, adopting the heavy play of its new rivals. Yet a fixture of finesse will be on display this weekend for the Sun Devils in their series at Bemidji, one of the most skilled skaters in the nation who escaped Boston. 

ASU junior Tim Lovell is a defenseman who plays at 159 pounds, but he is a prodigious talent, one whose every shift is worth viewing on FloHockey this weekend. 

Focused on Bemidji #BeTheTradition /// #O2V pic.twitter.com/lPrl4xwH4E

— Sun Devil Hockey (@SunDevilHockey) October 3, 2022

Lovell's unique skill set, a power play quarterback with the supreme hockey IQ and microscopic turning radius, bolted Boston College over lack of ice time, transferring out to the desert. But his reputation followed him.

"It's hard to find guys who can do what he can do," said an NHL scout who insisted on anonymity. "Especially at the offensive blue line, the hockey intelligence and the good stick." 

The diminutive Lovell had a breakout year last season, finishing in the top 10 nationally in scoring for defensemen. Now that he has rediscovered his swagger, the kid is ready to explode. 

"Some guys all of a sudden pop," said the scout who has observed Lovell for a decade. "It's his turn to pop."

Contender Or Pretender?

Last year's NCAA qualifier Michigan Tech has been picked by coaches and pundits to finish outside of home ice in the CCHA standings, having lost 10 elite players to graduation. Then came last week's eye test, and it turns out coach Joe Shawhan was crying wolf. 

He's got another dozen players who spent the last two seasons chomping at the bit for top-6 ice time. They pounded in 11 goals last weekend in exhibition play, including a dominant win over a good Lake State club.

They now travel to Ferris for a non-conference game on Friday, and FloHockey viewers can watch the newly unleashed Huskies sprint on the small ice in Big Rapids. 

For those who like to wager on sports for recreation, the 1.5 goals given to an improved Ferris State club - the team that took Tech to overtime in last year's NCAA quarters playing at home - might appear to be an opportunity. 

Don't fall for the trap. 

Michigan Tech still has the CCHA's best goalie in Blake Pietila, and a kennel full of hungry hounds. Give the goal and a half. It may be an empty-net goal that gets you to the finish line, but smart money takes Tech, both on the ice and against the spread.