What's On Tap: Minnesota State will continue its six-game home stand with pair of Western Collegiate Hockey Association games against No. 3 Wisconsin on Friday and Saturday.

The Mavericks (2-21-1, 0-17-1 WCHA) and Badgers (19-4-3, 14-4-2 WCHA) will square off Friday night at 7:07 p.m. before playing an afternoon game on Saturday at 3:07 p.m. MSU will look to avenge the two losses UW gave them earlier this season in Madison.

Last Time on the Ice: Minnesota State hosted No. 6/7 Minnesota Duluth last weekend inside All Seasons Arena. The Bulldogs came out with a sweep of the Mavericks after winning by scores of 12-0 and 4-0, respectively.

The Bulldogs scored two goals in the first period but would come out in the second and third period and score five goals in each of those sessions. The Mavericks were outshot 56-9 in the loss on Friday as Brigette Lacquette netted a hat trick to lead the Bulldogs. Senior Erin Krichiver and sophomore Brianna Quade combined for 44 saves in the loss.

On Saturday UMD netminder Kayla Black stopped 25 shots to shut out MSU. Both teams were unable to score in the first period but the Bulldogs scored seven seconds into the second period and never looked back.

Looking at the Badgers: Wisconsin comes into the weekend owners of an overall record of 19-4-3 and a 14-4-2 record in WCHA play. The Badgers are ranked No. 3 in both USCHO.com poll and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll. Last weekend the Badgers tied Clarkson 1-1 and shut them out on Sunday, 4-0.

Wisconsin is led by head coach Mark Johnson who has compiled a 350-68-33 record in 12 seasons at the helm of the Badgers program. Sophomore Karley Sylvester (F, 5-9, Warroad, Minn.) leads the team with 30 points after recording 11 goals and a team-leading 19 assists in 25 games this season. Freshman Annie Pankowski (F, 5-9, Laguna Hills, Calif.) and senior Brittany Ammerman (F, 5-6, River Vale, N.J.)each have 28 points on the season. Pankowski is the leading goal scorer on the squad recording 12 while Ammerman has tallied 11-17--28 so far this season. Sophomore goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens (G, 5-9, La Malbaie, Quebec) owns a 16-4-3 record this season allowing 1.29 goals per game while amassing a save percentage of .936.

The Badgers are averaging 3.50 goals per game while allowing 1.19 goals per game. They are also outshooting their opponents averaging 41.5 shots per game while allowing 19.9.

Last Time Around: The Mavericks were swept by the Badgers earlier this season in Madison by scores of 8-0 and 8-2.

Minnesota State All-Time: The MSU women's hockey program - started in 1998-99 - is currently in its 17th season of competition and has compiled a 160-370-48 (.319) record in 578 total games played. The Mavericks are in their 16th year as members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and boast an 89-291-40 (.262) mark in 418 league contests.

Freshman Impact: Eight different freshman have scored a point so for this season for the Purple and Gold. Elin Johansson scored the Mavericks first goal of the season against UND. Hannah Davidson has recorded six assists and five goals for 11 points. Nicole Schammel leads the team in points (13), assists (9) and has four goals. Anna Keys has two goals and two assists while Lindsey Coleman, Emma Wittchow, Amanda Conway and Amanda Martin each have totaled at least one assist on the season.

Schammel Leading the Way: Freshman Nicole Schammel leads the Mavericks in scoring this season tallying 4-9--13 in 22 games this season. She also ranks fourth in the WCHA in scoring by freshmen.

Climbing the Ranks: Senior Kathleen Rogan continues to climb the career scoring list at MSU. She only needs five points to move up to fourth place on the list.

Maverick Career Scoring Leaders
1. Maggie Fischer (05-09)    141    57    52    109
2. Christina Lee (06-10)    139    43    52    95
3. Lauren Smith (09-13)    139    44    50    94
4. Kristina Bunker (04-08)    140    31    47    78
5. Kala Buganski (06-10)    136    33    43    76
    Ashley Young (05-10)    122    27    49    76
7. Kathleen Rogan (10-SA)121    38    36    74
8. Tracy McCann (10-14)    141    36    35    71

MSU vs. Opponents: Minnesota State is averaging 1.21 goals per game this season while allowing 4.46.  They are also being outshot and are averaging 19.3 shots compared  to their opponents 43.0 shots per game.

Welcome to Mankato: The Mavericks bring in 12 freshman to this seasons squad including eight forwards, three defenseman, and one goalie. Five of the newcomers will continue to play in their home state of Minnesota. Three other players come to the Mavericks from Arizona, Colorado and Illinois. The final four come from outside the United States with two coming from Ontario, Canada and the other two from Sweden and Norway.

Protecting Our House: Minnesota State will play its next three games at home. MSU dropped its first series at home to start the season against North Dakota at all Seasons Arena and most recently lost to second-rated Minnesota. The Mavericks now stand 91-159-29 all-time at home.  The Mavericks  have called the arena home since their inception in 1998.

Road Warriors: The Purple and Gold are 2-11-1 on the road so far this season and most recently took two out of three games from Lindenwood. The Mavericks owned a 6-13-0 record on the road last season.

Beat the Best to Be the Best:  Three teams in the WCHA are ranked in the top-ten of either the USCHO or USA Today/USA Hockey polls this week. Minnesota comes in at No. 2, Wisconsin is No. 3 while Minnesota-Duluth comes in at No. 6. In addition Bemidji State and North Dakota are reveiving votes.

The Mavericks are 0-16-0 against top-ten ranked opponents this season losing a couple of games against North Dakota to start the season and dropping contests against Mercyhurst, Minnesota Duluth, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Bemidji State.

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