MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State women's hockey will travel to Duluth, Minn., to take on the Bulldogs in its last tilt before the holiday break. Games will be played at Amsoil Arena beginning at 7:07 p.m., on Friday and 4:07 p.m., on Saturday. Saturday's game can also be seen on Fox Sports North Plus.
 
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 184-470-59 (.299) record in 713 total games played. The Mavericks are in their 20th year as members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and hold a 114-373-47 (.257) in 534 games played.

Last Time on the Ice: Minnesota State (8-6-2, 3-6-1-1 WCHA) hosted games at Verizon Center for the first the in a month and split a series with then #6 Ohio State. The Mavericks shutout the Buckeyes 3-0 last Saturday, and then were shutout 2-0 last Sunday.

On Saturday, Minnesota State scored all three goals in the third period to win game one of the series. Senior Corbin Boyd found freshman Anna Wilgren on a power-play by passing through the crease as Wilgren beat the tardy Buckeye's netminder. Senior Megan Hinze's first goal to the season came off a rebound attempt as the puck laid in the middle of the ice and she fired it top shelf. Sophomore Brittyn Fleming scored the last goal on an empty net as time was running down.

The Mavericks were then shutout in the series finale as Buckeye goalie, Andrea Braendli, made 27 stops in the win. Tatum Skaggs and Samantha Bouley both scored a goal in the first period for Ohio State. OSU came out firing in the first period after being shutout the previous night, hoisting a total of 22 shots on net and having another 18 blocked. That was the first time the Mavericks had allowed a goal in 218:17, dating back to the second period in game two against Robert Morris.

In net, freshman Abigail Levy (8-6-2) started both games for the Mavericks posting one shutout and having 79 saves on 81 opportunities. Levy continues to make great saves, one after another, and leads the WCHA in saves, save percentage and shutouts and is second in goals-against average. 

Scouting Minnesota Duluth: The Bulldogs (5-8-1, 3-6-1-1 WCHA) were idle this past week. UMD was swept by then #3 Clarkson by the scores of  4-1 and 4-2 on Nov. 23-24. Minnesota Duluth has played 10 of its 14 games against teams ranked in the top ten of NCAA Division I. The Bulldogs currently have a home record of 4-1-1 this season.

The Bulldog offense features freshman Gabbie Hughes who leads the team in goals, points and assists this season (6-6--12). Sophomore Naomi Rogge is second on the team in goals scored so far (5-3--8).

In net, the Bulldogs feature junior Maddie Rooney (4-8-1), who won the 2018 Winter Olympics gold medal with the USA Women's Hockey Team and started four games going 2-1-0-1. Rooney holds a 2.70 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage and has 417 saves so far this season with one shutout.

Facing Minnesota Duluth: All-time, the Mavericks are 7-68-4 against the Bulldogs, dating back to 1999. The last time the two teams met was Feb. 16-17 last season where UMD swept the series winning 2-0 and 3-2.

Looking Ahead: The Mavericks will be off for the holiday break until the Minnesota Cup, which starts on Jan. 5. MSU will face St. Cloud State in the first game on Jan. 5 at 1:07 p.m., in Minneapolis, Minn.