What's On Tap:  The Minnesota State women's hockey team will bring in the New Year by hosting Lindenwood tomorrow (2:07 p.m.) and Wednesday (2:07 p.m.) before challenging Bemidji State at All Seasons Arena Saturday (3:07 p.m.) and Sunday (2:07 p.m.). The series with LU will mark the Mavericks' final non-conference action of the regular season.
 
MSU (6-12-0, 3-11-0 WCHA) had won three of its last four games before being upended by No. 4/5 North Dakota on December 13-14 by margins of 5-2 and 2-1. Lindenwood (2-16-2, 2-7-1 CHA) enters this week's series on a three-game losing streak and 1-9-0 away from home this season, while Bemidji State (7-9-2, 4-7-1 WCHA) stands fifth in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings despite being swept at No. 2 Wisconsin last time out.
 
Last Time on the Ice:  After falling in a 2-0 hole, Minnesota State responded by outscoring North Dakota 2-1 in the second period on Dec. 13 behind goals from juniors Casey Hirsch (Maple Grove, Minn.), her first of the season, and Natalie Stoltz (St. Paul, Minn.). Sophomore netminder Erin Krichiver's (Chicago, Ill.) 39 saves in the game matched a career-high, but it wasn't enough as UND added an even-strength goal and empty-net marker in the third period to claim a 5-2 victory.
 
The Dec. 14 series finale saw North Dakota once again jump out in front as freshman Susanna Tapani found twine just 61 seconds into the affair. MSU senior Kelsie Scott (Souris, Man,) retaliated in the second period with a four-on-three power-play goal, her third of the year, but Tapani struck again in the third period to propel UND to a 2-1 win and series sweep. Senior goaltender Danielle Butters (London, Ont.) turned in a strong performance between the pipes amassing 43 saves for the Mavericks who shutout UND on five power-play opportunities in the game.
 
Scouting the Lady Lions:  Lindenwood enters this week's series sitting 2-16-2 overall and 2-7-1 in College Hockey America play after dropping its last three contests. Offensively, LU is averaging 1.10 goals and 22.4 shots per game while allowing 3.7 goals and 41.2 shots per contest to its counterparts. The Lady Lion power-play is converting at 10.6% (10/94) and the penalty-kill owns a 72.7% (64/88) success rate this season. Lindenwood has been led in scoring by junior Kendra Broad (F, 5-7, Petrolia, Ont.) with 4-5=9 through 20 games, while senior Jocelyn Slattery (F, 5-8, Hugo, Minn.) leads the team in goals with 5-2=7. Additionally, junior Katie Erickson's (D, 5-11, Elk River, Minn.) four power-play goals are a team-best, and sophomore Nicole Hensley (G, 5-6, Lakewood, Colo.) has produced a 3.50 goals against average and .915 saves percentage in 19 starts.
 
Inside the MSU-LU Series: Minnesota State remains unblemished with an 8-0-0 all-time record against Lindenwood after sweeping the host Lady Lions by scores of 7-1 and 3-1 back on Oct. 11-12.
 
Scouting the Beavers:  Bemidji State owns a 7-9-2 overall mark and 4-7-1 record in WCHA play despite being swept at Wisconsin last time out. BSU is averaging 1.94 goals and 26.3 shots per affair compared to the 2.78 goals and 31.6 shots per game its opponents have averaged. The Beaver power-play boasts a 17.9% (10/56) efficiency and the penalty-kill unit has been successful on 84.5% (60/71) of its attempts. A trio of sophomores lead BSU in scoring as Kaitlyn Tougas (F, 5-4, Thunder Bay, Ont.) has paced the Beavers with 4-6=10 to date, while Hanna Moher (F, 5-6, Milton, Ont.) and Ivana Bilic (D, 5-7, Coquitlam, B.C.) have turned in 7-2=9 and 2-6=8, respectively. In goal, freshman Brittni Mowat (G, 5-7, Glenboro, Man.) owns a sparkling 2.10 goals against average and .930 saves percentage in 16 games and 15 starts.
 
Inside the MSU-BSU Series: The Mavericks stand 24-27-10 all-time against the Beavers after BSU swept Minnesota State by margins of 4-1 and 3-2 in Bemidji on Nov. 15-16 earlier this season.
 
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 151-348-46 (.319) record in 545 total games played.  The Mavericks are in their 15th year as members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and hold an 85-263-38 (.269) mark in 386 league contests.

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