MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State women's hockey returns to the Verizon Center for the first time in a month to play #6 Ohio State. The puck will drop on Saturday at 6:07 p.m., and then on Sunday at 2:07 p.m. This weekend is the Mankato Area Hockey Association Youth Weekend at the rink for both games. Post game autographs will also follow the game on Sunday.
 
Minnesota State All-Time: The MSU women's hockey program, started in 1998-99. is currently in its 21st season of competition and has compiled a 183-469-59 (.299) record in 711 total games played. The Mavericks are in their 20th year as members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and hold a 113-372-47 (.257) in 532 games played.

Last Time on the Ice: Minnesota State (7-5-2, 2-5-1-1 WCHA) traveled to Wentzville, Mo., and swept the road series against Lindenwood. The Mavericks shutout the Lions 1-0 last Friday, and 2-0 last Saturday.

On Friday, Minnesota State scored the lone goal of the game at the 12:27 mark in the first period. Sophomore Tristen Truax poke-checked a Lindenwood player at the red line, then drove down the middle and beat the Lion netminder. That would be all the Mavericks needed in the 1-0 win.

Minnesota State scored two goals in the second period on the way to the win on Saturday. Senior Jordan McLaughlin scored the first goal while teams were playing four-on-four because of penalties. Freshman Brooke Bryant scored her third goal in four games as McLaughlin set her up on a two-on-one opportunity. The Mavericks shutout an opponent in two straight games for the first time since the 2006-07 season against North Dakota.

In net, freshman Abigail Levy (7-5-2) started both games for the Mavericks turning in two shutouts and 35 total saves. She currently leads the WCHA in saves, save percentage and shutouts and is second in goals-against average. Levy earned her third WCHA Goaltender of the Week honor for her play this past weekend.

Scouting Ohio State: The Buckeyes (11-5-0, 7-3-0 WCHA) were idle this past week and held the #6 spot in both of the national polls. OSU swept Minnesota Duluth 3-1 and 4-1 the last time on the ice on Nov. 16-17. Ohio State is currently 4-4-0 on the road this season during regular season play.

The Buckeyes offense features sophomore Emma Maltais, who is the reigning WCHA Rookie of the Year and currently leads the WCHA with 24 points this season (7-5--8). Sophomore Tatum Skaggs leads the WCHA with 10 goals this season (10-2--12).

In net, the Buckeyes feature freshman Andrea Brandli (8-5-0), who has started 13 of their 16 total games this season. Brandli holds a 1.85 goals-against average, a .937 save percentage and has 383 saves so far this season. 

Facing Ohio State: All-time, the Mavericks are 13-63-8 against the Buckeyes, dating back to 1999. The last time the two teams met was Oct. 12-13 earlier this season where OSU swept the series winning 4-0 and 2-1 in overtime.

Looking Ahead: The Mavericks will travel to Duluth, Minn., for the last series of the 2018 calendar year. MSU will face Minnesota Duluth on Dec. 7-8 with the puck dropping Friday at 7:07 p.m., and Saturday at 4:07 p.m.