• Minnesota State Looks to Regroup After Going 1-3-0 in Four Games in the Last Frontier
    • Second-Ranked Ferris State is Unbeaten in League Play and Swept Michigan Tech Last Weekend
    • Lehrke Stays Hot With Three-Game Point-Scoring Streak
    • Hayes Becomes Ninth Maverick to Play in NHL
    • Lafontaine & Leitner Appear in Hobey Fan Balloting Phase On Tap:    Minnesota State (12-10-0 overall, 10-6-0 WCHA) returns to Mankato for home Western Collegiate Hockey Association action this weekend with second-ranked Ferris State (17-3-3, 12-0-2 WCHA) visiting Verizon Wireless Center (4,892).   The Mavericks and the Bulldogs square-off at 7:37 p.m. Friday and 7:07 p.m. Saturday.

About the MSU-FSU Series:    The Mavericks stand 5-3-2 all-time in the series with the Bulldogs. The meetings in Mankato will be the first with both teams members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

MSU Most Recently:  Winners of its last seven games prior to the Holiday break, Minnesota State could not sustain that run of success, splitting a two-game set at Alaska in Fairbanks Jan. 3-4 before getting swept by the scores of 2-1 and 3-1 at Alaska Anchorage Jan. 10-11.

About the Bulldogs:  Ferris State enters this weekend following a two-game home league sweep over Michigan Tech.  

The Bulldogs, who fashioned a 16-game unbeaten streak before losing to Colgate Jan. 4,  are led offensively by senior forward Garrett Thompson (11-12--23 and junior forward Justin Buzzeo (10-12--22).  Junior C.J. Motte (17-1-3, 2.07, .932) stands tied for the NCAA lead in wins and ranks 11th nationally in save percentage.

Head coach Bob Daniels (Michigan State '82) is in his 22nd year as a college head coach and at Ferris State.  His career record with the Bulldogs stands  367-381-87.

MSU All-Time:  The Minnesota State men's hockey program, begun in 1969-70, completed its 44th year of competition last year.  

MSU is in its 17th year as a member of NCAA Division I (first DI season was 1997-98) and the Mavericks are in their 15th season as members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. 

The Mavericks sport an all-time record of 772-597-137 (.558).

Hayes Makes NHL Debut: Signed as an undrafted free agent by San Jose last April,  former Minnesota State captain Eriah Hayes made his National Hockey League debut last Sunday (Jan. 13) when the Sharks played in Chicago against the Blackhawks. Hayes had been playing in the American Hockey League with Worcester (Mass.) where he had five goals and three assists for eight point in 29 games. 

Named an All-WCHA Third Team pick in 2012-13, Hayes completed his four-year MSU career with 52-44--96 in 153 career games in tying for tenth on the school's career scoring list for the DI era. 

Hayes is the ninth former Minnesota State player to play in the NHL. Other former Mavericks to play in the NHL include Tim Jackman (MSU 2000-02), Ryan Carter (2004-06), Grant Stevenson (MSU 2001-03), David Backes (MSU 2003-06), Steve Wagner (MSU 2004-07), Jon Kalinski (MSU 2005-08), Travis Morin (MSU 2003-07) and Tyler Pitlick (MSU 2009-10). 

Lafontaine & Leitner Hobey News:  The Hobey Baker Memorial Award fan vote is now open and Minnesota State junior forwards Jean-Paul Lafontaine and Matt Leitner are listed amongst the balloting options. 

Fans can now vote once every 24 hours for their pick as to who is college hockey's best player in 2013-14. 

Fan can vote by visit the Hobey Baker website: http://www.hobeybakeraward.com. This first phase of fan balloting runs now through March 9. The fans' vote accounts for one percent of the total ballot in each phase in selecting the award recipient.

Get the complete 12-page Minnesota State men's hockey weekly release (as a pdf) by going HERE.