On Tap:    Minnesota State (4-6-4 overall, 2-6-2 WCHA) resumes Western Collegiate Hockey Association action with a pair of home games with #17 Minnesota (8-5-1 overall, 5-4-1 WCHA) this weekend.  The Mavericks and the Golden Gophers square-off at Verizon Wireless Center (4,832) in downtown Mankato Friday (7:37 p.m.) and Saturday (7:07 p.m.).

About the MSU-UM Series:   In a series that dates back to the 1997-98 season, Minnesota holds a 28-5-6 edge in the all-time series with MSU. The Mavericks are 3-2-1 in the last six meetings with the Gophers.

Head coach Troy Jutting owns a 5-25-4 record in the series with Minnesota and MSU’s top active scorer vs the Gophers is senior defenseman Kurt Davis (2-5--7 in 11 career games played).

Most Recently:  With the games vs. UMass Lowell concluding an eight-game road swing that saw MSU spend the end of October and the entire month of November on the road, the Mavericks claimed 8-3 and 3-2 wins at UML last Friday and Saturday.

Junior forward Justin Jokinen got his first career hat trick in the 8-3 win over the River Hawks with senior forward Rylan Galiardi contributing two goals and the Mavericks getting singles from Michael Dorr, Ben Youds and Andrew Sackrison.

Freshman forward Chase Grant had a goal and assist, Zach Lehrke got his first career goal and senior defenseman Kurt Davis also scored as MSU completed the nonconference road sweep with Saturday’s 3-2 victory.

Student Tickets Pre-Distribution:  MSU student ticket distribution for the Maverick men’s hockey home games with Minnesota is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 1.

Distribution of the 1100 MSU student tickets (valid current Mavcard required) will take place in the Taylor Center Hall of Champions beginning at noon.

Game Promotions:   Friday - First 500 fans will receive a free shirt courtesy of HickoryTech.   Saturday - First 1,000 fans to receive a co-branded phone cleaning cloth courtesy of Verizon.

About Minnesota:  UM, which went 18-19-2 overall last year and finished seventh in the WCHA with a 12-14-2 league mark, currently is 8-5-1 after a 5-2 loss to Michigan State and a 3-1 win over Michigan at the College Hockey Showcase.
 
Minnesota, which boasts 19 NHL draft picks on this year’s roster, is led offensively by senior forward Jay Barriball (9-8--17), freshman forward Erik Haula (3-12--15) and senior forward Mike Hoeffel (7-7--14).

Senior Alex Kangas (2-4-0, .895, 3.80) and junior Kent Patterson (6-1-1, .900, 2.82) share the Golden Gophers’ netminding duties.

Don Lucia (Notre Dame ‘81) is in his 12th season at the UM?helm and owns a 282-150-41 mark with the Golden Gophers.  Lucia stands 561-305-77 all-time and is in his 24th year as a collegiate head coach.

The complete 12-page release (in pdf format) is available here.