Mankato, Minn.--- The Minnesota State women’s hockey team will close the books on the home portion of its 2012-13 schedule this weekend as it hosts rival St. Cloud State - who MSU split with earlier this year - Friday and Saturday at All Seasons Arena.

Huskies (8-20-2)	vs.	Mavericks (10-17-3)
17-of-116 (14.7%)	Power-Play	18-of-95 (18.9%)
97-of-124 (78.2%)	Penalty-Kill	107-of-130 (82.3%)
1.7	Goals/Game	2.0
27.5	Shots/Game	24.1
9.2	Penalty Min./Game	10.3
Alex Nelson (9-12--21) Molli Mott (9-12--21) Haylea Schmid (8-12--20) Audrey Hamner (3-12--15)	Scoring Leaders	Lauren Smith (21-11--32) Tracy McCann (12-8--20) Emlia Andersson (3-16--19) Kathleen Rogan (6-10--16)
Katie Fitzgerald (3.07 GAA)	Goaltending Leader	Danielle Butters (3.05 GAA)

Last Time on the Ice:  Minnesota State garnered a series split with No. 10 Minnesota Duluth last weekend at AMSOIL Arena. Sophomore netminder Erin Krichiver earned her first collegiate win in her first career start as she recorded a career-high 39 saves in a 2-1 win in the series opener,  but the Mavericks dropped the finale by a score of 4-2. Senior Lauren Smith scored twice in the two-game set, including Saturday’s game-winner.

A Little Bit More On St. Cloud State:  SCSU owns an 8-20-0 overall record including a 4-19-1 record in WCHA action and 4-10-2 mark away from St. Cloud this season.  The Huskies currently reside in eighth-place in the league standings after being swept by Wisconsin last weekend by scores of 6-0 and 5-1. St. Cloud State is fifth-worst in scoring offense nationally at 1.73 goals/game.

Last Time Around:  The two programs split a series earlier this season at National Hockey and Events Center as the Mavericks claimed a 2-1 victory in the series opener before falling 5-2 in the finale. Sophomore Shelby Moteyunas scored her first two career goals - one in each game - in the series.

Minnesota State All-Time:   The MSU women’s hockey program, started in 1998-99, is currently in its 15th season of competition and has compiled a 145-330-44 (.322) record in 519 total games played. The Mavericks are in their 14th year as members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and boast an 82-252-36 (.270) mark in 370 league contests.

Strong Special Teams: As a team, Minnesota State is sixth in the country in combined special teams at 55.5%.  The Mavericks boast the 12th-rated power-play (18.8%) and 22nd-best penalty-kill (82.4%).  MSU converted on two-of-seven power-plays last week vs. Minnesota Duluth, while shutting out the Bulldogs on their eight chances on the man advantage.

Standing Out: With four regular-season league games left, Minnesota State holds a six-point cushion over Bemidji State in the  battle for sixth place in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings.  The Mavericks two remaining league opponents, St. Cloud State and Ohio State, currently reside in the bottom half of the conference.

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