What's On Tap:  Minnesota State continues Western Collegiate Hockey Association action this weekend as it will play a home and home set with top-ranked Minnesota beginning Friday night at 7:07 p.m. at Ridder Arena and concluding inside All Seasons Arena at 3:07 p.m.
 
The Mavericks (3-5-0, 0-4-0 WCHA) were unable to capture their first league point last weekend as they dropped a pair of home contests to Minnesota Duluth by margins of 6-2 and 3-1, respectively. Minnesota (8-0-0, 6-0-0 WCHA) enters the series riding a NCAA-record 57-game winning streak after sweeping Bemidji State on the road last weekend.
 
Last Time on the Ice:  Minnesota State netted the series' first goal last Friday night off the stick of senior Kari Lundberg (Woodbury, Minn.) for her third of the season; but Minnesota Duluth responded with three consecutive power-play goals to take a 4-1 lead into the second intermission that it would not relinquish. Junior Kathleen Rogan (Vancouver, Minn.) added a power-play goal, her fifth of the year, in the third period for MSU, which fell by a final of 6-2.
 
The Mavericks found the back of the net first in last Saturday's series finale as well. Senior Nicole Germaine (Mississauga, Ont.) used a phenomenal individual effort to tap a loose puck into the net while laying on her back in the slot. However, UMD freshman Sidney Morin knotted the contest at 1-1 on the power-play in the second stanza before scoring the eventual game-winner with 2:56 remaining in regulation. The Bulldogs added their second empty-net goal of the series to cement the 3-1 final.

Scouting the Golden Gophers:  Minnesota stands 8-0-0 on the year and 6-0-0 within the WCHA after sweeping host Bemidji State by scores of 4-0 and 4-3 last weekend inside the Sanford Center. The Golden Gophers have also recorded league series sweeps at Minnesota Duluth and at home against Wisconsin this season. Offensively, UM is averaging 4.12 goals per game and 35.5 shots per game to date. Defensively, Minnesota is surrendering a mere 1.38 goals per game and 25.9 shots per game.  The Golden Gopher power-play in converting at a 30.0% efficiency, while the penalty-kill unit boasts a 90.0% success rate.
 
Minnesota is under the guidance of seventh-year head coach Brad Frost who has accumulated a 194-36-16 career ledger with the Golden Gophers. Frost has won three WCHA regular-season titles along with a pair of WCHA tournament and NCAA championships. Junior Rachel Bona (Fwd., 5-5, Coon Rapids, Minn.) has paced Minnesota in goals and points to date with 6-7--13 this year and a team-high two game-winning goals. Sophomores Hannah Brandt (Fwd., 5-6, Vadnais Heights, Minn.) and Maryanne Menefee (Fwd., 5-6, Lansing, Mich.) have posted 4-5--9 and 4-4--8, respectively, this season as Brandt leads the team in helpers. Seniors Kelly Terry (Fwd., 5-6, Whitby, Ont.) and Sarah Davis (Fwd., 5-4, Paradise, NFLD) have each produced four goals as well, while Davis' two power-play goals are tied for a team-high. Sophomore Amanda Leveille (G, 5-7, Kingston, Ont.) has started all eight games in goal for UM registering a 1.38 goals against average and .947 save percentage with a trio of shutouts.
 
Inside the MSU-UM Series: Minnesota State stands 3-57-3 all-time against Minnesota. The Mavericks dropped all four contests with the Golden Gophers a year ago and will try to capture their first win over UM under head coach Eric Means this weekend.
 
Minnesota State All-Time: The MSU women's hockey program - started in 1998-99 - is currently in its 16th season of competition and has compiled a 148-341-46 (.320) record in 535 total games played. The Mavericks are in their 15th year as members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and hold an 82-256-38 (.269) mark in 376 league contests.

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