Men's Hockey | 11/24/2015 9:33:00 AM
On Tap: Minnesota State (6-6-2 overall, 5-1-2 WCHA) hosts Alaska Anchorage (6-4-2 overall, 3-2-1 WCHA) in Western Collegiate Hockey Association action this weekend in Mankato. MSU and UAA play at Verizon Wireless Center (4,832) Friday (7:07 p.m.), Saturday (7:07 p.m.) CST.
Minnesota State Most Recently: The Mavericks are 6-2-2 in the last ten games after skating to 1-1 and 2-2 overtime ties at Northern Michigan last weekend.
About Alaska Anchorage: The Seawolves, who hosted Penn State last weekend and went 0-1-1 in the nonconference series vs. the Nittany Lions, stand 6-4-2 overall and are 3-2-1 WCHA for the year. Alaska Anchorage is paced offensively by a trio of forwards in senior Blake Tatchell (4-9--13) and sophomores Matt Anholt (4-6--10) and Tad Kozun (6-3--9). Sophomore Olivier Mantha (5-4-2, 2.49, .913) has started 11 of 12 games this year for UAA. Matt Thomas (RIT '98) is in his third season as head coach of the UAA men's hockey program and owns a 32-42-10 mark behind the Seawolves bench.
MSU All-Time: The Minnesota State men's hockey program, begun in 1969-70, completed its 46th year of competition last year. MSU is in its 20th year as a member of NCAA Division I (first DI season was 1997-98) and the Mavericks are in their 17th season as members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The Mavericks sport an all-time record of 821-615-143 (.565).
On Tap: Following the two games with Alaska Anchorage, Minnesota State heads to Ohio for a pair of WCHA games at Bowling Green Dec. 4-5. The Mavericks are scheduled to close out the pre-holiday part of their schedule Dec. 11-12 when Alabama-Huntsville visits Mankato for a pair of league contests.
For Future Reference: A total of four players on this year's roster have been selected by National Hockey League teams in the annual draft. Junior forward Zach Stepan was selected by Nashville in the fourth round (112th) of the 2012 draft. Senior forward Teddy Blueger was selected by Pittsburgh in the second round (52nd overall) in the 2012 draft. Sophomore forward C.J. Franklin was selected in the fifth round (129th overall) of the 2014 draft by Winnipeg. Senior forward Jimmy Mullin was selected in the fourth round of 2010 NHL Entry Draft by Tampa Bay (118th overall pick).
Stats Stuff: As a team Minnesota State is outshooting its opponents 444-325 through the team's first 14 games.
The Mavericks, who have outshot their opponents in ten of their 14 games on the season, are first in the nation for fewest shots on goal allowed per game (23.21), rank sixth in shots on goal margin with a +8.50 SOGM mark.
Minnesota State has scored the first goal in three of its 14 games this year.
