Men's Hockey | 11/11/2015 9:49:00 AM

Recently: Minnesota State stands 5-5-0 on the year (5-1-0 WCHA) after splitting a two-game league series at Ferris State last weekend.

The Series: The Mavericks, who have gone 5-1-0 in their last six games, take a break from conference action with a pair of non-league games vs. the University of Minnesota this weekend. The two teams play in Mankato Friday before a Saturday-night encounter in Minneapolis.  Minnesota State stands 11-35-6 in the all-time series vs. Minnesota and own a 4-5-0 mark in the last nine meetings with the Gophers.

Maverick Noteables:

Junior defenseman Casey Nelson, this week's WCHA Defensive Player of the Week, extended his point-scoring streak to six games with  a four-point weekend vs. Ferris State on two goals and two assists in the two games vs. the Bulldogs. Nelson stands tied for third in the nation in defensemen scoring and leads the Mavericks in scoring with 3-6--9 on the year. Nelson owns 11-36--47 in 69 career games to rank 12th on Minnesota State career defenseman scoring list (NCAA DI-era).

Senior forward Bryce Gervais, who enters the series with Minnesota riding a consecutive games played streak of 132 straight appearances with the Mavericks, has 54-25--79 in his four seasons with the Mavericks to tie for 26th on the program's career scoring list (NCAA DI era). His 54 career goals rank seventh at Minnesota State for the school's NCAA Division I-era.

Freshman goaltender Jason Pawloski stands 2-0-0, with a 2.57 GAA and .850 save percentage in his first season with the Mavericks. He is one of nine freshmen netminders in the country with at least two victories this year.

Freshman forward Max Coatta tallied Minnesota State's fourth goal last Friday vs. Ferris State for his first career goal. Coatta has appeared in six games in his maiden season with  the Mavericks and MSU owns a 5-1-0 record in those games.

Junior forward Zach Stepan tallied Minnesota State's first goal in last Saturday's 3-2 win at Ferris State. Stepan, who stands tied for second on MSU's scoring charts 3-4--6 on the season, owns 14-25--39 in 79 career appearances. 

Junior defenseman Sean Flanagan assisted on  Casey Nelson's goal in last Saturday's 3-2 victory at Ferris State in upping his season totals to 2-4--6.  Flanagan, who has 8-25--33 in 76 career games, has 2-3--5 in MSU's last four games.

Sophomore defenseman Jaden Schmeisser recorded his first point as a collegian when he drew an assist on Max Coatta's goal last Friday at Ferris State. Schmeisser owns 0-1--1 in ten career games with the Mavericks.

Sophomore forward Zeb Knutson's first goal of the season came in last Saturday's 3-2 victory at Ferris State. Knutson's goal, which stood up as the game-winner, is his second career game-winning tally.

Junior goaltender Cole Huggins turned aside  29 shots in Minnesota State's 3-2 win over Ferris State last Saturday.  The victory gives him a 28-15-1 career mark with the Mavericks and his 28 wins rank 12th on the school's all-time list. Westy Graves (MSU 1979-83) and Des Christopher (1995-98) are tied for 11th at 29 wins.

Sophomore forward C.J. Franklin scored his third goal of the season in last Friday's game at Ferris State. A member of the 2014-15 WCHA All-Rookie Team, Franklin has 12-20--32 in 47 career games.

As a team Minnesota State is outshooting its opponents 316-248 through the team's first ten games.  The Mavericks, who have outshot their opponents in six of their ten games on the season, are fifth in the nation for fewest shots on goal allowed per game (24.6), rank tied for ninth in shots on goal margin with a +7.00 SOGM mark.

Minnesota State's defensemen have totalled 7-17--23 in the team's ten games this year, which, as a group, ranks tenth in the nation.

Minnesota State head coach Mike Hastings is in his fourth season behind the bench for the Mavericks. Hastings, who has guided the Mavericks to a trio of NCAA tournament appearances in his first three years with the program and was named the recipient of the Spencer Penrose Award last season after leading the Mavericks to the WCHA regular and post-season championships, owns a career collegiate coaching record of 84-41-7 (.660).