• Mavericks Own 16-4-1 Overall Mark and Are 11-1-1 in Last 13 Games
    • Franklin Rides Five-Game Point Streak Into Weekend
    • Blueger With Points in Last Four Games
    • Williams Moves Into Fifth-Place on School All-Time Wins List    

On Tap:  Top-rated Minnesota State (16-4-1 overall, 13-2-1 WCHA) continues Western Collegiate Hockey Association action with a two-game road series this weekend in Big Rapids, Mich., at Ferris State. The Mavericks and Bulldogs square-off at FSU's Ewigleben Ice Arena (2,490) Friday (7:07 p.m.) and Saturday (7:07 p.m.) EST.

Minnesota State Most Recently:  Minnesota State stands 16-4-1 overall (13-2-1 WCHA) after a home sweep (5-2 and 3-1) over Lake Superior State last weekend.

Minnesota State enters the series with Ferris State having gone 11-1-1 in its last 13 games.

About Ferris State:  The Bulldogs, who enter the weekend with an 11-11-1 overall mark and are 8-6-0 WCHA, are coming off a weekend in which they claimed a pair of league victories at Alaska Anchorage (4-1 and 3-2).  FSU is led offensively by junior forward Matt Robertson (6-15--21), senior forward Justin Buzzeo (6-9--15) and sophomore forwards Chad McDonald (8-6--14) and Gerald Mayhew (6-8--14). Senior netminder C.J. Motte (11-11-1, 1.98, .928), was a finalist for Hobey Baker Award last season, has started all 23 games for Ferris State. Head coach Bob Daniels (Michigan State '82) is in his 23rd year behind the Ferris State bench and enters the weekend owning a 390-400-88 career record.

Minnesota State is 8-3-2 in the all-time series vs. Ferris State. Including a win in the championship game of the WCHA Final Five, the Mavericks went 3-0-0 vs. the Bulldogs last season. MSU stands 2-3-1 all-time vs FSU in games played in Big Rapids.

All Three Zones:   Minnesota State is ranks first in the nation in goals (81) and goals per game (3.86). The Mavericks lead the country in goal margin (+35) and also fewest shots on goal allowed per game (21.24), are first in shot margin (+276) and shots on goal margin per game (+13.1). The Mavericks are fourth in shots on goal for per game (34.38).

Polling: Following last weekend's home league sweep over Lake Superior State, Minnesota State is rated #1 in the nation according to polls released by USCHO.com and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine. This week's ranking marks the first time Minnesota State has been rated #1 in either poll in the history of the program. Minnesota State now has three programs this year that have been rated #1 in their respective sports with men's hockey joining women's soccer and football with that distinction.