What's On Tap: Minnesota State women's hockey begins Western Collegiate Hockey Association play with a two-game series against No. 1 Wisconsin at Verizon Center this weekend. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:07 p.m., on Friday and 3:07 p.m., on Saturday.

Looking Back at Last Week: Minnesota State (1-2-1, 0-0-0-0 WCHA) was swept by then-No. 9 ranked Robert Morris in a two-game nonconference series at Verizon Center. The Mavericks lost 2-1 in overtime on Saturday and 6-2 on Sunday.    
 
Back to Blocking Shots: The Mavericks finished last season second in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and fourth in the nation with 568 blocked shots. Minnesota State has picked up where it left off — leading the WCHA and ranking second in the nation with 83 blocked shots after totaling 47 last weekend. Senior defenseman and team captain Anna Keys is tied for the most blocked shots in the nation with 16.Senior defenseman Emma Wittchow and freshman defenseman Jessica Kondas led the Mavericks and tied for second in the WCHA with nine blocked shots last week. Minnesota State blocked 33 shots in Saturday's game with then-No. 9 ranked Robert Morris, which is the highest total by the Mavericks since recording 34 blocked shots at Wisconsin on Feb. 26, 2016.

Mighty McLaughlin: Junior forward Jordan McLaughlin (2-2--4) is leading Minnesota State with four points this season. She recorded her second assist and fourth point against then-No. 9 ranked Robert Morris on Sunday.
 
Cool Like Conway: Senior forward Amanda Conway (3-0--3) scored her team-leading third goal of the season against then-No. 9 ranked Robert Morris on Saturday afternoon. At the time, the goal gave Minnesota State a 1-0 lead in the game.

First Career Goal: Freshman forward Tristen Truax (1-0--1) scored her first career goal to get the Mavericks on the scoreboard against then-No. 9 ranked Robert Morris on Sunday afternoon. Truax one-timed a pass from freshman forward Brittyn Fleming (0-3--3) into the back of the net.

May I Assist?: Freshman forward Brittyn Fleming (0-3--3) leads the Mavericks with three assists this season. Her third assist of the season came on freshman forward Tristen Truax's (1-0--1) first career goal against then-No. 9 ranked Robert Morris on Sunday.
 
Scouting Wisconsin: No. 1 Wisconsin (6-0-0, 0-0-0-0 WCHA), the national runner-up a year ago, has opened up the 2017-18 season with series sweeps of Lindenwood, Mercyhurst and Syracuse.
 
In the early going, the Badgers have been paced offensively by sophomore forward Abby Roque (2-8--10), who enters the week leading the nation in points and assists. Senior forward Claudia Kepler (4-2--6) leads the Badgers in goals. 
 
Last season, the Mavericks finished 0-6-0 against the Badgers, including 3-0 and 3-1 losses at Verizon Center.
 
Looking Ahead: Minnesota State has a bye week before continuing a season-long eight-game homestand with a two-game WCHA series against St. Cloud State on Oct. 27-28.