What's On Tap:  Minnesota State returns to the friendly confines of All Seasons Arena this weekend when it host Ohio State in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association series Friday (7:07 p.m.) and Saturday (1:07 p.m.). Two of MSU's remaining three series in 2013 will take place in Mankato.
 
The Mavericks (3-9-0, 0-8-0-0 WCHA) are still searching for their first league point after falling twice at Bemidji State last weekend at Sanford Center. Ohio State (3-6-2, 2-6-2-0 WCHA) was swept at home last weekend by visiting Minnesota Duluth and has lost or tied five of its last six league games.
 
Last Time on the Ice:  MSU senior Kari Lundberg (Woodbury, Minn.) scored her fourth goal of the year, unassisted, at 14:30 of the first period in last Friday's series opener at Bemidji State to tie the game at 1-1 through one period. However, BSU junior Rachel Kelly netted a power-play marker with two seconds left in the second period for the eventual game-winner as the Beavers scored twice more in the third frame to claim a 4-1 victory.
 
Last Saturday's series finale saw the Mavericks jump out in front 1-0 behind junior Kathleen Rogan's (Vancouver, B.C.) fourth power-play goal of the year. That score held until the second period when Kelly tied the match at one each, before senior Tracy McCann regained the lead for MSU with a wrister from the slot. Unfortunately, Bemidji State responded with two additional goals in the second stanza and blanked the Mavericks in the third period to escape with a 3-2 win and series sweep.
 
Scouting the Buckeyes:  Ohio State comes to Mankato owners of a 3-6-2 overall record and 2-6-2-0 within the conference after being swept by visiting UMD last weekend. The Buckeyes were edged by the Bulldogs 3-2 last Friday before dropping a 2-0 decision in last Saturday's finale. Ohio State has lost five of its last six league games and stands 1-3-0 on the road in the WCHA. Offensively, Ohio State is averaging 2.09 goals and 31.1 shots per game; while defensively, it is allowing 2.73 goals and 29.6 shots per game to its opponents. The Buckeye power-play has clicked 16.3% of the time this year, while its penalty-kill unit owns a 82.6% efficiency
 
The Buckeyes are under the direction of third-year head coach Nate Handrahan, who has amassed a 38-37-9 record at Ohio State and secured the program's second 19-win season a year ago. Junior twins Sara Schmitt (Def., 5-11, Canton, Mich.) and Kari Schmitt (Def. 5-11, Canton, Mich.) have paced the Buckeyes in goals and points this season totaling 4-7=11 and 4-6=10, respectively. Senior Ally Tarr (Fwd., 5-5, London, Ont.) leads the team with eight assists and 1-8=9 total, while junior Taylor Kuehl (Fwd., 5-8, Minnetrista, Minn.) and sophomore Kendall Curtis (Fwd., 5-7, Highlands Ranch, Colo.) have each added three goals. In goal, senior Chelsea Knapp (G, 5-9, York, N.Y.) owns a 3.15 goals against average and .893 saves percentage in eight starts, and senior Lisa Steffes (G, 5-4, Amherstburg, Ont.) has posted a 1.71 goals against average and .941 saves percentage in four starts.
 
Inside the MSU-OSU Series: Minnesota State stands 9-47-6 all-time against Ohio State in a series dating back to 1999. MSU finished 0-2-2 against the Buckeyes a season ago garnering a loss and tie both at home and on the road. Despite MSU standing 0-8-2 in the last 10 meetings, seven of those games have been decided by one goal or 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 148-345-46 (.318) record in 539 total games played. The Mavericks are in their 15th year as members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and hold an 82-260-38 (.265) mark in 380 league contests.

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