On Tap:    Minnesota State (1-1-0 overall, 0-0-0 WCHA) plays a home-and-home nonconference series with #20 Minnesota Duluth (1-1-0, 0-0-0 NCHC) this weekend. MSU and UMD play in Duluth at Amsoil Arena (6,726) Friday (7:07 p.m.) and in Mankato at Verizon Wireless Center (4,832) Saturday (7:07 p.m.) CST.

Minnesota State Most Recently:  The Mavericks opened 2014-15 by splitting a nonconference road series at Nebraska Omaha last weekend. UNO claimed a 5-3 victory Friday before MSU responded with a 4-2 triumph Saturday.  Senior defenseman Zach Palmquist totalled two goals and assist in the two games, while freshman forward Brad McClure accounted for a goal in each game for the first two goals of his college career. Junior forward Bryce Gervais had two points on a goal and an assist, while senior forward Matt Leitner had a pair of assists.

About Minnesota Duluth:  The 20th-rated Bulldogs opened the season at the IceBreaker Tournament hosted by Notre Dame last weekend. UMD dropped a 5-3 decision to #1 Minnesota in the first game before claiming third place with a 3-0 win over Notre Dame. Sophomore forward Dominic Toninato had three goals and an assist in the two game, while sophomore forward Alex Iafallo contributed a goal and two assists.  Scott Sandelin (North Dakota '86) is in his 15th season as head coach of the UMD men's hockey program and owns a 248-246-67 mark at the Bulldog helm.

MSU All-Time:  The Minnesota State men's hockey program, begun in 1969-70, completed its 45th year of competition last year.  

MSU is in its 19th year as a member of NCAA Division I (first DI season was 1997-98) and the Mavericks are entering their 16th season as members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

The Mavericks sport an all-time record of 787-602-138 (.561).

Leadership Corps:   Serving as team captains for Minnesota State in 2014-15 are senior forward Chase Grant and senior defenseman Brett Stern.  Alternate captains are senior defenseman Zach Palmquist and sophomore defenseman Carter Foguth.