On Tap:    Minnesota State (14-10-0 overall, 12-6-0 WCHA) steps outside of league play this weekend by participating in the inaugural North Star College Cup. The Mavericks, one of four teams featured in the tournament slated for Friday and Saturday at Xcel Energy Center (18,568) in downtown St. Paul, Minn., square-off against Minnesota Duluth (9-9-2, 5-6-1 NCHC) Friday at 4:08 p.m. MSU will play the winner or the loser of the other game (Minnesota vs. St. Cloud State) Saturday at 4:08 p.m. or 7:38 p.m.

MSU Most Recently:  The Mavericks are coming of a home conference weekend in which they claimed 6-2 and 4-3 wins over second-rated Ferris State.  MSU enters the North Star College Cup having won 10 of its last 13 games.

About the Bulldogs:  Minnesota Duluth enters this weekend after going 0-1-1 a pair of home games with the University of Denver.  The Bulldogs, which lost 3-2 in overtime Friday before fashioning a 2-2 tie with the Pioneers Saturday, have gone 4-1-1 in their last six contests.

UMD is led offensively by freshman forward Alex Iafallo (8-7--15), junior forward Caleb Herbert (5-9--14) and junior forward Justin Crandall (8-5--13). Senior Aaron Crandall (7-6-1, 2.64, .912) has started 14 of UMD's 20 games this year. Head coach Scott Sandelin (North Dakota '86) is in his 14th year as a college head coach and at UMD.  His career record with the Bulldogs stands 240-238-65.

That's Special: The Mavericks, who had gone 4-for-46 (.086) on the power play through the first ten games of the year, have gone 26-for-78 (.333) with the man advantage in the last 14 contests. Minnesota State stands sixth in the nation in power play percentage (29/124, 23.4%) and is third in the nation in penalty kill (92/103, 89.3%). The Mavericks, who tallied five shorthanded goals in 2012-13, have not scored a shorthanded goal in 2013-14.

Minnesota State's record this year in Friday games is 5-7. In Saturday games, the Mavericks stand 9-3.

On Tap:  Following the games at the North Star College Cup, Minnesota State resumes league play Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 with a pair of WCHA road games at Northern Michigan.

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. Fans can vote by visit the Hobey Baker website: 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.

McInnis Named WCHA Offensive Player of the Week: Senior forward Johnny McInnis was named Western Collegiate Hockey Association Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in Minnesota State's sweep over second-rated Ferris State this past weekend.

A native of Boston, Mass., McInnis totaled four points on three goals and an assist as Minnesota State claimed two wins over the visiting Bulldogs. For the weekend, he had the game-winning goal in both wins along with 16 shots on goal and a +2 rating. McInnis scored twice in the 6-4 win over the Bulldogs Friday and then had a goal and an assist in Saturday's 4-3 victory.

The captain of this year's team, McInnis has 10-9--19 on the year to rank third on Minnesota State's 2013-14  scoring charts.  His four game-winning goals this year, which lead the Mavericks, stand tied for third in the nation. He has 12 career GWGs to tie for third all-time at MSU.

NCAA Plays of the Week:  The game-winning goal by Johnny McInnis off of a pass from Dylan Margonari in Friday's #4 NCAA.com Play of the Week.

This week's national plays of the week are available by going HERE.

The Mavericks have had four NCAA.com Plays of the Week this year.

McInnis GWG in ot (BGSU, Nov. 8)
McInnis goal from Lafontaine (vs. UAA, Nov. 30)
Lehrke (between legs goal) from Lafontaine (vs UAA, Jan. 11)
Margonari pass to McInnis (vs Ferris State, Jan. 17)

To view the entire 13-page release as a pdf, go HERE.