Season update: The Huskies are the third of three NCHA teams ranked Nos. 4-6, behind North Dakota and Nebraska-Omaha. They are off to a 12-4 start and are 6-2 in the NCHC, coming off a split with No. 5 Nebraska-Omaha. They have swept Miami and Western Michigan, while also splitting with North Dakota. Their 6-1 victory at home over NoDak shows what their offense is capable of. One wonders if their 7-2 loss to UNO on Saturday was a blip on the radar or if the Mavericks found a crack in the armor of the offensive powerhouse. St. Cloud is 5-2 on the road. If SCSU gets an early lead this season, chances are good (greater than 90 percent) it’s going to win.

Offense: The Huskies have a very balanced, deep and explosive scoring attack, led by senior forwards David Morley and Kalle Kossila, who have 18 points apiece. Forwards Patrick Russell (15), Judd Peterson, Joey Benik and Jimmy Murray (14 each) and defenseman (and captain) Ethan Prow (13) also are in double figures for points. All but Russell and Peterson are seniors. St. Cloud averages 4.6 goals per game overall (fifth in the nation) and 4.12 in NCHA action. With a few exceptions, their veteran players are their most productive.

Defense: Junior Charlie Lindgren carries the mail in net. In 15 games he is 11-4 with a 2.03 goals-against average and a strong .926 save percentage. He was pulled Saturday with the Huskies trailing 4-1. Overall, the Huskies allow just more than two goals per game and are 12^th nationally in that category.

Special teams: Discipline is important against the Huskies because their power play will make foes pay with the nation’s third-best man advantage, as they connect on almost 29 percent of their chances. Benick (four goals) has been the main threat so far, but six other players have two, all but Prow are forwards. Rebound control and limiting second chances is a must. If there is a weak link it’s their penalty kill, which gets scored on at the same rate and is 59^th out of 60 Division I teams. The difference is the Huskies take fewer than three penalties a game and while drawing four. An exception was Saturday’s loss, when UNO scored on three of five chances.

@MagnessMayhem