On Tap:    Minnesota State (14-16-6 overall, 8-16-4 WCHA) opens 2010-11 WCHA postseason action this weekend with a best-of-three first-round series at #5 Denver (21-10-5 overall, 17-8-3 WCHA). The Mavericks and the Pioneers square-off at DU’s Magness Arena (6,026) Friday (7:37 p.m.), Saturday (7:07 p.m.) and Sunday (7:07 p.m., if necessary).

About the Series:  MSU square-off against Denver in this year’s play-offs in marking the first time the two schools have met in the WCHA postseason. The Mavericks went 0-3-1 vs. the Pioneers this year and stand 13-22-6 all-time vs. DU.

MSU Most Recently:   Minnesota State stands 14-16-6 overall and finished 11th in the WCHA with an 8-16-4 mark.

The Mavericks enter the postseason having been dealt a pair of losses (4-0 and 4-1) by Alaska Anchorage in Mankato last weekend.

About Denver:  The fifth-rated Pioneers split a league home series with St. Cloud State to complete the regular season with a 21-10-3 mark.  DU, which finished second in the WCHA regular season standings with a 17-8-3 mark, is paced offensively by sophomore forward Drew Shore (22-21--43 in 34 GP) and freshman forward Jason Zucker (20-18--38 in 34 GP). Freshman Sam Brittain (15-7-5, 2.28, .922) has started 27 of 36 games in the DU nets. 

George Gwozdecky (Wisconsin ‘73) is in his 17th  season at the DU?helm and owns a 394-237-55 mark with the Pioneers. Gwozdecky stands 544-361-76 all-time and is in his 24th year as a collegiate head coach.