What's On Tap: Minnesota State women's hockey continues Western Collegiate Hockey Association play with a two-game series against St. Cloud State at Verizon Center this week. Puck drop is scheduled for 2:07 p.m., on both Friday and Saturday.

Last Time on the Ice: Minnesota State (1-4-1, 0-2-0-0 WCHA) began WCHA play with a two-game home series with No. 1 Wisconsin on Oct. 13-14. In the first game, the Mavericks carried a 2-1 lead into the third period, but their upset attempt came up short in a 3-2 loss. Minnesota State lost the series finale 3-1.      
 
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 third in the nation with 121 blocked shots after totaling 38 in its series with No. 1 Wisconsin on Oct. 13-14. Senior defenseman and team captain Anna Keys is tied for the third-most blocked shots in the nation with 22, while defenseman Jessica Kondas ranks third in the nation amongst freshman with 16. Minnesota State's season high for blocked shots is 33, which was achieved against then-No. 9 ranked Robert Morris on Oct. 7. The 33 blocked shots is the highest total by the Mavericks since they recorded 34 blocked shots at Wisconsin on Feb. 26, 2016.

Mighty McLaughlin: Junior forward Jordan McLaughlin (2-3--5) is tied for the team lead in points with five. Her most recent point was tallied with an assist against No. 1 Wisconsin on Oct. 13. McLaughlin has garnered 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points in her Maverick career.

Impact Freshman: Freshman forward Brittyn Fleming (0-5--5) leads the Mavericks with five assists on the season and she is tied for the team lead in points. Fleming enters the week on a three-game point streak after tallying an assist in each of the Mavericks' games against No. 1 Wisconsin on Oct. 13-14.
 
Coming Home: After playing her first two collegiate seasons for the now defunct University of North Dakota women's hockey program, junior forward and Mankato native Rebekah Kolstad returned to her hometown to play for the Mavericks. Kolstad scored her first goal in a Mavericks uniform against No. 1 Wisconsin on Oct. 14 inside Verizon Center.

Power Play Hinze: Junior defenseman Megan Hinze, who scored a power-play goal against No. 1 Wisconsin on Oct. 13, has now scored six goals on the power play in her collegiate career — establishing herself as a potent offensive threat when the Mavericks have the man advantage.

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 Oct. 7.
 
Scouting St. Cloud State: St. Cloud State (1-5-0, 0-2-0-0 WCHA) comes to Verizon Center on a four-game losing streak, including a two-game series sweep at the hands of then-No. 4 ranked Ohio State last weekend in St. Cloud, Minn.
 
The Huskies have struggled to score so far this season — tallying three goals while surrendering 19. Junior forward Julia Tylke has scored two of the Huskies three goals. 
 
Last season, the Mavericks finished 0-2-2 against the Huskies, including a 2-2 tie and 2-0 loss at Verizon Center.
 
Looking Ahead: Minnesota State wraps up its season-long eight-game homestand with a two-game WCHA series against No. 6/7 Minnesota on Nov. 3-4.