MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State women's hockey will travel to the twin cities to participate in the inaugural Minnesota Cup, hosted by the University of Minnesota. The Mavericks will take on St. Cloud State in the first game on Saturday at 1:07 p.m., at Ridder Arena.
 
Minnesota State All-Time: The MSU women's hockey program, which started in 1998-99, is currently in its 21st season of competition and has compiled a 184-471-60 (.299) record in 715 total games played. The Mavericks are in their 20th year as members in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and hold a 114-374-48 (.257) in 536 games played.

Last Time on the Ice: Minnesota State (8-7-3, 3-7-2-1 WCHA) traveled to Duluth, Minn., for the last series of the 2018 calendar year. The Mavericks came back to tie the Bulldogs 2-2 on Dec. 7, and then were beaten 2-1 on Dec. 8.

On Dec. 7, Minnesota State scored both goals in the third period to force overtime and eventually the tie in game one of the series. Sophomores Brittyn Fleming and Tristen Truax lit the lamp in the third period. Fleming's goal was scored when there was a scrum in front of the net and poked it past the Bulldog netminder. Truax's goal came when the teams were playing 4-on-4 because of penalties. The Bulldogs ended up winning the shootout 1-0 for the extra conference point.

The Mavericks dropped the series finale when they attempted another comeback in the third period after the Bulldogs scored twice in the second period, but fell short in the end. Minnesota State's lone goal came with 38 seconds left in the period when senior Corbin Boyd scored with an extra attacker on the ice.

In net, freshman Abigail Levy (8-7-3) started both games for the Mavericks collecting 53 saves on 57 opportunities. Levy ended the series with a .930 save percentage and a 1.93 goals-against average. Levy had a great first half of the season and leads the WCHA in saves, save percentage and shutouts and is second in goals-against average. 

Scouting St. Cloud State: The Huskies (7-15-1, 2-12-0-0 WCHA) were the only WCHA team to play this past week and swept Lindenwood at home. SCSU defeated LU by the scores of 3-1 and 2-1 on Dec. 29-30. This was St. Cloud State's second home series sweep of the season by also sweeping RIT early in the season. These were the first wins for the Huskies since Nov. 20, when they defeated Bemidji State 3-0 in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game.

The Huskies offense features senior Julia Tylke who leads the team in points, is second in goals this season (8-9--17). Junior Hallie Theodosopoulos leads the team in goals scored so far (9-4--13).

In net, St. Cloud State features junior Janine Adler (3-9-1) and sophomore Emma Polusny (4-6-0) who split time. Between the two of them they hold a 2.92 goals-against average, a .926 save percentage and have 853 saves so far this season with one shutout.

Facing St. Cloud State: All-time, the Mavericks are 33-39-12 against the Huskies, dating back to 1998. The last time the two teams met was Oct. 19-20, this season where MSU won the first game by a score of 3-1 and SCSU won the second game 2-1.

Looking Ahead: In the Minnesota Cup, the Mavericks will play the winner/loser of the Minnesota Duluth and Minnesota game on Sunday. Minnesota State will return to WCHA action on Jan. 11-12 when they host Minnesota at 7:07 p.m., on Jan. 11 and 3:07 p.m., on Jan. 12.