On Tap:    Minnesota State (2-4-4 overall, 2-4-2 WCHA) steps outside of Western Collegiate Hockey Association action with pair of  road games at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (2-8-2 overall, 2-8-0 Hockey East) this weekend.  The Mavericks and the River Hawks play at Tsongas Center (6,400) Friday (7:00 p.m.) and Saturday (4:00 p.m.).  Please note times are local (Eastern Standard Time).

About the MSU-UML Series:   In a series that dates back to the 1978-79 season, MSU stands 1-2-0 in the all-time series vs. UMass Lowell. All three meetings between the two schools came during a three-year span when both programs were members of NCAA Division II and in postseason competition. MSU lost in the national championship game to Lowell (6-4) in 1978-79, claimed an 8-1 win in NCAA semifinal action in 1979-80 (before winning the national championship in the next game with a 5-2 victory over Elmira), and lost by an 8-7 margin in national semifinal action in 1980-81.

Most Recently:  With the games vs. UML concluding an eight-game road swing that saw the Mavericks spend the end of October and the entire month of November on the road, the Mavericks, who did not play this past weekend, dropped 3-2 and 6-1 decisions at #15 Denver Nov. 12-13 in their most-recent action.

Sophomore Phil Cook got the start in both games vs Denver and has started the last eight games.  Forwards Justin Jokinen and Eriah Hayes scored goals in the 3-2 loss to the Pioneers Nov. 12th and Eli Zuck tallied MSU’s lone goal in the 6-1 loss the next night.

About UMass Lowell:  UML returns 14 letterwinners from last year’s team which went 19-16-4 overall and was 12-11-4 HE, stands 2-8-2 overall (2-8-0 HE) for the year. The River Hawks dropped a pair of Hockey East games to Merrimack this past weekend - losing by one-goal margins in both contests (4-3 and 3-2).
 
UML is led offensively by sophomore forward Riley Wetmore (4-5--9),  junior forward David Vallorani (3-4--7) and freshman defenseman Chad Ruhwedel (1-6--7).

A pair of freshmen in Doug Carr (2-5-1, .910, 3.12) and Marc Boulanger (0-3-1, .879, 3.80) share the River Hawks’ netminding duties.

Blaise McDonald (RIT ‘85) is in his tenth  season at the UML?helm and owns a 147-161-41 mark with the River Hawks.  McDonald stands 238-219-57 all-time and is in his 15th year as a collegiate head coach.

MSU's complete 12-page release in pdf format is available HERE.