Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota State women's hockey returns to Mankato Civic Center to take a break from WCHA action and play Merrimack in a nonconference series. Games will be played on Friday and Saturday, beginning at 2:07 p.m., both days.
 
Minnesota State All-Time: The MSU women's hockey program, which started in 1998-99, is currently in its 22nd season of competition and has compiled a 189-487-66 (.299) record in 742 total games played. The Mavericks are in their 21st year as members in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and hold a 116-387-53 (.256) record in 556 games played.

Last Time on the Ice: Minnesota State (4-4-2, 2-4-2-2 WCHA) swept St. Cloud State on the road in the National Hockey Center last weekend. The Mavericks earned a 1-0 shutout in game one and then won game two by a 4-1 score.

In game one, the visiting Mavericks scored the lone goal and took the 1-0 lead at the 16:53 mark in the first period with a man advantage. Junior forward Brittyn Fleming received the puck in the slot from sophomore blueliner Anna Wilgren behind the net and ripped a wrister to the low left corner of the net. The goal beat junior netminder Emma Polusny to her stick side and sophomore netminder Abigail Levy was also credited an assist on the play.

In game two, St. Cloud State scored first after sophomore forward Jenniina Nylund gathered her initial shot that was blocked and scored to the far post. Minnesota State bounced back after junior forward Mariah Gardner forced a turnover deep in the offensive zone, then fed junior blueliner Tristen Truax on the back side with the puck tucking inside the right post. Wilgren forced a turnover in the neutral zone and finished top shelf for the unassisted breakaway goal at the 8:03 mark in the second period for the go-ahead goal. The second goal of the period also came off a Huskies' turnover as sophomore winger Brooke Bryant made a cross-ice pass to junior winger Mallorie Iozzo to beat the goaltender to her stick side. Minnesota State scored the final goal in the last period at the 7:32 mark with a man advantage. Truax scored her second goal of the game from the right face-off circle, going top shelf.

In net, sophomore Abigail Levy (2-2-1) made the start in game one, making 30 saves in her second shutout of the season. Freshman Calla Frank (2-2-1) made 34 saves in the game two start and allowed one goal in the first period.

WCHA Defenseman of the Week: Anna Wilgren was named WCHA Defenseman of the Week after assisting on the game-winning goal in game one and scoring the game-winning goal in game two against SCSU. Wilgren upped her blocked shot total to 34 on the season, which is second-best in the NCAA. The game-winning goal was the only one scored by WCHA blueliners last weekend.

Scouting Merrimack: The Warriors (2-5-2, 0-5-2 WHEA) most recently tied game one 4-4 against Vermont and dropped game two 6-2 last weekend. 

The Warriors' offense is led by senior forward Mikyla Grant-Mentis, who leads the team with six goals and nine points, with also having three assists. Sophomore forward Keisha Dicaire leads the team with seven assists and has also scored a goal for eight points.

In net, Merrimack features senior Lea-kristine Demers who has started eight of the nine games. She has a 3.43 GAA, .892 save percentage, 232 saves and a shutout on the season.

Facing Merrimack: This will be the first time that Minnesota State and Merrimack will play in school history.
 
Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will have an off week before traveling to play No. 1 Wisconsin on Nov. 16-17 in Madison, Wis.