Mankato, Minn.--- Minnesota State (7-17-0, 3-15-0 WCHA) plays host to the No. 3 University of Minnesota (20-4-2, 14-4-2-1 WCHA) this weekend. Both games will be played at All Seasons Arena in Mankato. Friday is scheduled to begin at 7:07 p.m., while Saturday is slated for a 3:07 p.m. start.

Gophers (20-4-2)	VS.	Mavericks (7-19-0)
29-of-102 (24%)	Power-Play	15-of-85 (17%)
88-of-100 (88%)	Penalty Kill	89-of-108 (82%)
106	Goals	52
1036	Shots	754
242	Penalty Minutes	264
Amanda Kessel (21G, 28A) Jen Schoullis (17G, 26A) Sarah Erickson (11G,15A)	Scoring Leaders	Lauren Barnes (4G, 12A) Lauren Smith (6G, 10A) Kari Lundberg (7G, 7A)
Noora Raty (1.43 GAA)	Goaltender	Alli Altmann (2.98 GAA)

University of Minnesota Notes:

- The No. 3-ranked Golden Gophers (20-4-2, 14-4-2-1 WCHA, 44 points) got five points from Bemidji State at home last weekend.

- Minnesota came back from two goals down for the first time in nearly four years for a 3-2 win over Bemidji Sate last Friday, and then failing to maintain its own two-goal margin or a last-minute lead on Saturday in a 3-3 tie with the Beavers.

- The Gophers took the extra point with a 2-0 shootout win. 

- Amanda Kessel ranks fifth in the WCHA and ninth nationally in points per game, averaging 1.88.

- Kessel had an assist last Saturday, marking her 99th career point...With one more point, Kessel will reach the 100-point milestone and will become just the fourth player in UM’s history to reach 100 career points as a sophomore (Nadine Muzerall, Krissy Wendell and Natalie Darwitz are the others).

- Kessel has more goals than the top three MSU goal scorers combined this season.

- Minnesota averages 4.07 goals per game and has let up an average of 1.38 goals per game. 

- Senior Emily West scored three goals last weekend, including a shorthanded goal on Saturday.

- Junior Megan Bozek leads the WCHA and is tied for first in the country in points by a defenseman with 26.

- The Gophers lead in the WCHA on the penalty-kill, with an 88.0% success rate (88-of-100). - Minnesota leads the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 1.38 goals per game.

Minnesota and MSU History:

- Minnesota State is 3-55-3 against Minnesota, in a series which dates back to 1998-99.

- MSU was swept by the Gophers in late October this season, losing 3-0 on 10/20 and 7-0 on 10/21. 

- Minnesota outshot Minnesota State a combined 87-39 earlier this season.

- With no goals in the October series, the Gophers Sarah Davis and Amanda Kessel each collected four points as Emily West and Megan Bozek marked three points a piece. 

- The Mavericks last win against the Gophers came in 2007 when MSU swept the series at All Seasons Arena. 

- MSU’s three wins against the Gophers all came at home.

- Minnesota State’s Moira O’Connor, Kathleen Rogan and Lauren Zrust each scored against the Gophers last season as Lauren Smith has two assists in the four games. 

- Minnesota’s Sarah Erickson tallied four goals and an assist, Sarah Davis had two goals and Laura may had three goals and one assist in the four game last season.

- There has been four overtime games between the schools.

- The Gophers have shut out the Mavericks 18 times in the 61 games.

For this week's complete notes, click HERE.

She’s Heating Up: Sophomore  Tracy McCann scored and marked an assist last weekend. Fellow sophomore Kari Lundberg scored last Saturday which now gives her a team-leading seven goals on the season. 

In the WCHA:  Lauren Barnes and Lauren Smith each have 16 points this season, landing them at 33rd in the WCHA in points.    Kari Lundberg and Jackie Otto rank 37th in points in the league as they have 14 points. 

  Sophomore Lauren Barnes is tied for 26th in the WCHA for assists (12) through the first 24 games of the season. Senior Jackie Otto is currently tied in 9th in scoring for defenseman (3-11--14). 

Sweep or be Swept:  The Mavericks only sweep this season was against Lindenwood, while they were swept by Minnesota, Ohio State (twice), North Dakota, Wisconsin amd Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State in WCHA play. MSU has split five series to date with season. Out of Minnesota State’s 15 series last season, MSU swept its opponent two times and was swept eight times and split five series.

For this week's complete notes, click HERE.