On Tap:    Minnesota State (10-8-4 overall, 4-6-2 WCHA) resumes conference action with a pair of home games with sixth-rated University of Denver (13-5-4 overall, 9-3-2 WCHA) this weekend.  The Mavericks and the Pioneers square-off at Verizon Wireless Center (4,832) in downtown Mankato Friday (7:37 p.m.) and Saturday (7:07 p.m.).

About the Series:  MSU, which dropped a pair of games at DU Nov. 12-13 (3-2 and 6-1) is 13-21-5 all-time vs. the Pioneers.  The series dates back to the 1997-98 season and head coach Troy Jutting owns a 9-18-5 mark vs. the Pioneers.

Most Recently:   MSU is now 10-8-4 overall (and 4-8-2 in Western Collegiate Hockey Association action) after collecting a pair of home wins over American International last weekend.

The Mavericks, who have won eight of their last ten games, got a first-period goal from senior forward Rylan Galiardi and sophomore Phil Cook had 17 saves as MSU claimed a 1-0 over the visiting Yellow Jackets Friday.  Five different players scored and junior forward Justin Jokinen had a goal and two assists as the Mavericks handed AIC a 5-2 loss Saturday.

About Denver:  The Pioneers last played Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 when they earned a  win and a tie in nonconference action with Western Michigan.  DU, which downed UWM 5-2 before earning a 2-2 tie, is led offensively by  sophomore forward Drew Shore (14-11--25 in 20 GP) and freshman forward Jason Zucker (14-7--21 in 20 GP).  Freshman Sam Brittain (10-4-1, .926, 2.06) has started 18 of 22 games in the DU nets.  

Head coach George Gwozdecky (Wisconsin‘78) is in his 25th year as a college head coach and has amassed a 536-356-75 record.

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