On Tap:    Minnesota State (6-6-4 overall, 4-6-2 WCHA) continues Western Collegiate Hockey Association action with a pair of home games with #5 North Dakota (11-5-2 overall, 9-3-0 WCHA) this weekend.  The Mavericks and UND 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-UND Series:   In a series that dates back to the 1997-98 season, North Dakota holds a 32-10-7 edge in the all-time series with MSU. MSU’s last win in the series was in 2007-08 and since then UND owns a 7-0-1 edge.
 
Head coach Troy Jutting owns a 8-25-5 record in the series with Minnesota and MSU’s top active scorer vs the Gophers is senior defenseman Kurt Davis (0-4--4 in 8 career games played).

Most Recently:  Minnesota State stands 6-6-4 overall after picking a home league sweep over #17 Minnesota.  The Mavericks, who have now won their last four games, downed the Golden Gophers by the scores of 3-2 and 2-1 in Mankato.

The last time MSU had a four-game winning streak was during the 2007-08 campaign when the Mavericks put together a seven-game skein that included sweeps over St. Cloud State, Denver, Alaska Anchorage and a win over Wisconsin.  MSU has now downed the Gophers for five times in the last six meetings.

The Mavericks got goals from Adam Mueller, Michael Dorr and 33 saves from Phil Cook in Friday’s 3-2 win.   Kurt Davis and Rylan Galiardi scored in Saturday’s 2-1 victory and Cook had a career-high 49 saves in the victory over the 17th-rated Gophers.

About North Dakota:  #5 UND, which went 25-13-5 overall last year and finished fifth in the WCHA with a 15-10-3 league mark, currently stands 11-5-2 overall and is 9-3-0 WCHA after downing St. Cloud State 3-1 and 6-2 in Grand Forks last weekend.   The Sioux, who boast 16 NHL draft picks on this year’s roster, is led offensively by senior forward Matt Frattin (15-7--22), sophomore forward Corban Knight (9-8--17) and senior defenseman Chay Genoway (3-12--15).   Sophomore Aaron Dell (10-4-1, .902, 2.18) has seen the bulk of the netminding duties with 13 starts. Junior Brad Eidsness (1-1-1, .805, 4.12) was a All-WCHA Second Team pick last year.  Dave Hakstol (North Dakota ‘96) is in his seventh season at the UND?helm and owns a 141-77-21 mark career mark as a college hockey head coach.

Student Tickets Pre-Distribution:  MSU student ticket distribution for the Maverick men’s hockey home games with Minnesota is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 8.  Distribution of the 1100 MSU student tickets (valid current Mavcard required) will take place in the Taylor Center Hall of Champions beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Game Promotions:   Friday - ROTC Swear - In Ceremony.  Saturday - Sodexo/University Dining Services sponsored game and Teddy Bear Toss.

The complete 12-page pdf-version of the release is available here.