Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's hockey team will open the 2020 portion of the schedule by participating in the second annual Minnesota Cup in Duluth, Minn. The Mavericks will first play the host Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs on Saturday in AMSOIL Arena. The puck will drop at 4:07 p.m.
 
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 190-493-66 (.298) record in 749 total games played. The Mavericks are in their 21st year as members in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and hold a 116-391-53 (.254) record in 560 games played.

Last Time on the Ice: Minnesota State (7-10-2, 2-8-2-2 WCHA) participated in the Hall of Fame Classic on Dec. 7 against #2 Minnesota. The Gophers won the game played in Prior Lake, Minn., at the Dakotah! Ice Center by a 4-0 score.

The Mavericks found themselves trailing 1-0 after the first period of play with the Gophers scoring at the 14:19 mark. Sophomore forward Taylor Heise scored on a wrist shot from the right dot to the top left corner of the net. The Gophers scored the final three goals of the game in the second period as the third period went scoreless, making the final score 4-0. At the 8:08 mark, freshman blueliner Madeline Wethington took a slap shot from the blue line and found its way through traffic for the goal. Sophomore winger Emily Oden found herself alone in front of the net and chipped a shot up over sophomore netminder Abigail Levy's shoulder at the 13:45 mark. Just over a minute later, sophomore forward Amy Potomak finished a two-on-one break with Heise and scored on the back side.

In net, sophomore Abigail Levy (3-7-1) made the start in the single game against the Gophers, making 22 saves in the loss.

Remaining Schedule: The back half of the schedule is mostly comprised of WCHA play following the Minnesota Cup. The Mavericks will play each team in the conference one more time before the season ends and the WCHA playoffs begin.

Climbing Into the Record Book: Sophomore Anna Wilgren has made her way into the Minnesota State career record book, even only being a sophomore. Wilgren currently has five game winning goals in her career, tied for sixth all-time, and also 23 points, which is eighth most by a defenseman at MSU.

Short Handers: Sophomore Claire Butorac has scored a short handed goal in both of her seasons played so far. The two short handed goals scored is currently tied for sixth most all-time at MSU. 

WCHA Rookies: Freshman Kelsey King is making a statement in her first season in college hockey. She currently leads all WCHA rookies in assists, while being second in goals scored and points this season.

Scouting #10 Minnesota Duluth: The Bulldogs (8-8-2, 4-6-2-1 WCHA) currently sit in fifth place in the conference, one spot ahead of the Mavericks. UMD most recently was swept by #1 Wisconsin by the scores of 4-3 and 5-2 for its last games before winter break. 

The Bulldogs' offense is led by sophomore forward Gabbie Hughes, who leads the team with 10 goals scored, 15 assists and 25 points on the season. Senior forward Sydney Brodt is also a main contributor by scoring nine goals and collecting 10 assists for 19 points on the season.

In net, Minnesota Duluth features senior Maddie Rooney (7-8-2) who has started 17 of the 18 games. She has a 2.18 goals against average, .922 save percentage, 426 saves and one shutout on the season.

Facing #10 Minnesota Duluth: The Mavericks have an all-time record of 7-72-7 against the Bulldogs, dating back to 1999. In the most recent match-up this season, the Mavericks were swept by the Bulldogs in a road series on Oct. 11-12 by the scores of 3-2 (OT) and 4-1 in Duluth, Minn.

Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will jump back into WCHA action for the first time since Nov. 22-23 next week. The Mavericks will travel to Columbus, Ohio to face #5 Ohio State on Jan. 10-11 at the OSU Ice Rink. The puck will drop at 6:07 p.m. and 3:07 p.m. EST, respectively.