What's On Tap:  Minnesota State hopes to regain its form this week as it travels north for a road Western Collegiate Hockey Association series at Bemidji State. The two-game set will feature a pair of afternoon contests Friday (2:07 p.m.) and Saturday (2:07 p.m.) inside the Sanford Center.
 
The Mavericks (3-7-0, 0-6-0-0 WCHA) are still searching for their first league point after dropping a pair of contests in a home and home series with top-ranked Minnesota two weeks ago. MSU, who was idle last week, faces a Bemidji State (4-6-2, 1-4-1-1 WCHA) squad that picked up five points with a win and shootout victory at Ohio State a week ago.
 
Last Time on the Ice:  Minnesota State entered the first intermission tied with No. 1 Minnesota, 1-1, in the series opener at Ridder Arena on Nov. 1 courtesy of a power-play goal by senior Tracy McCann (Lakewood, Ohio) with two seconds left in the first period. Senior Danielle Butters (London, Ont.) had a career day for the Mavericks registering 21 saves in the initial period and a career-high 48 in the game, but the Golden Gophers scored three goals, including two on the power-play, in the final two periods to claim a 4-1 win.
 
In the Nov. 2 series finale at All Seasons Arena, it appeared MSU would enter the third period trailing 1-0, but Minnesota scored twice in the final 30 seconds of period number two to take a three-goal lead. The Golden Gophers added a power-play marker at 5:21 of the first period and three additional goals in the final three minutes of regulation to claim the series which was the final preview of the 2014 Hockey City Classic to be held Jan. 17.
 
Scouting the Beavers:  Bemidji State owns a 4-6-2 overall record and 1-4-1-1 mark in the WCHA after capturing five points at Ohio State last weekend. BSU edged the Buckeyes 3-2 in a wild series opener, before the two teams played to a 2-2 draw in the finale as the Beavers left Columbus with a 1-0 shootout victory. Bemidji State is averaging 2.08 goals per game and 28.2 shots per game through 12 games this season. Defensively, BSU has allowed 2.67 goals per game and 30.3 shots per game, on average. The Beaver power-play is converting at a 18.4% efficiency, while the BSU penalty kill owns a 87.0% success rate.
 
The Beavers are under the direction of eighth-year head coach Steve Sertich who has racked up more wins than any other coach in program history. Sophomore Hanna Moher (Fwd., 5-6, Milton, Ont.) has carried the Beavers in goal and point production this season posting 5-2--7 with two game-winning goals. Senior Tess Dusik (Fwd., 6-0, Oak Bluff, Man.) is tied with Moher for the team lead in points and ranks second in goals with 4-3--7 to date. Junior Alexandria Citrowske (Fwd., 5-6, Savage, Minn.) leads the team in assists while tying for third in points after generating 1-5--6 for BSU through 12 games. In goal, freshman Brittni Mowat (G, 5-7, Glenboro, Man.) has taken full control of the Beaver netminder job. In 11 starts and 12 total games, Mowat owns a 2.32 goals against average and .920 save percentage to go along with a 4-5-2 ledge.
 
Inside the MSU-BSU Series: Minnesota State stands 24-25-10 all-time against Bemidji State after going 2-2-0 against the Beavers last season. MSU and BSU split both of their series together last year with the Beavers claiming a 2-0 win in Bemidji, before the Mavericks netted a 4-3 OT victory in the series finale at Sanford Center. Since 2010-11, 10 of the 12 contest between the two teams' have been decided by two goals of less.
 
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 148-343-46 (.319) record in 537 total games played. The Mavericks are in their 15th year as members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and hold an 82-258-38 (.267) mark in 378 league contests.

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