Off the Hop
Fourth-rated Minnesota State (0-0-0 overall, 0-0-0 WCHA) starts the 2020-21 season this weekend when it takes on #16 Bemidji State (0-0-0, 0-0-0 WCHA) Sunday and Monday. Face-off between the Mavericks and the Beavers in Bemidji at the Sanford Center (4,373) is slated for 5:07 p.m., CST Sunday and 3:07 p.m., CST Monday.

Mavericks vs. Beavers
In a rivalry that dates back to the 1974-75 season, Minnesota State stands 60-58-20 in the all-time series vs. Bemidji State. Including a 3-2-0 mark vs. the Beavers last year, Minnesota State heads into this weekend's series having gone 10-3-1 in the last 14 games vs. Bemidji State.

Season Openers
Minnesota State stands 25-22-4 all-time in season openers. The Mavericks have won their last two season openers (4-1 home win over Arizona State last year and 5-3 win at Boston University in 2018-19).  

Minnesota State has opened its season vs Bemidji State on three occasions: 2001-02 (L, 7-6, Bemidji, Minn.), 2005-06 (L, 4-3, Bemidji, Minn.), 2008-09 (W, Mankato, Minn.)

Behind the Bench
Minnesota State has gone 214-85-23 under the tutelage of head coach Mike Hastings (St. Cloud State '93), who is in his ninth season in charge of the Mavericks. No program in the nation has won more games (214) during the time Hastings has been behind the MSU bench.

For the Ages
The 31 wins last year by the Mavericks ranks second on Minnesota State's all-time single-season list, ranking only behind the 32 victories by the 2018-19 team. The 30 wins the last two years mark the first time the Mavericks have won at least 30 games in back-to-back seasons. Minnesota State has won at least 30 games in a season three times (2019-20, 2018-29 and 1979-80).

Big Mac
Minnesota State won the MacNaughton Cup as 2019-20 WCHA regular season champions - marking the third season in a row to accomplish the feat and fifth time in the last eight years.

Analyze This
Statistically-speaking, the Mavericks finished last year ranking first in the nation in wins (31), first in goals scored (153), first in goals per game (4.03), goals against average (1.47), goal margin (+97), shots on goal margin (+428) and penalty kill percentage (.913). Minnesota State ranked second in face-off percentage (.556) and was third in power play percentage (.272).

Roster Check
Minnesota State returns 17 skaters off of last year's roster who played in at least one game.  Those returnees, who have accumulated a total of 1,107 career games played, registered 69 goals and 204 points last year.

Net Gain
Junior netminder Dryden McKay was named First Team All-American and the WCHA Goaltender of the Year after posting a 30-4-2  mark, .942 save percentage and 1.31 goals against average last season. He led the country in wins, save percentage, goals against average and shutouts (10).

Lining it Up
The Mavericks, who enter the year having won at least 20 games for eight consecutive seasons, return four senior forwards as the program's top active career scorers in Jake Jaremko (30-44--74 in 101 GP), Reggie Lutz (27-40--67 in 113 GP), Jared Spooner (20-45--65 in 112 GP) and Dallas Gerads (27-33--60 in 97 GP).  Juniors Julian Napravnik (17-29--46 in 76 GP) and Walker Duehr (15-19--34 in 74 GP) also rank amongst the returning scoring leaders, while a pair of seniors in Jack McNeely (5-24--29 in 103 GP) and Riese Zmolek (6-21--27 111 GP) are the top active career scoring leaders from the defensive corps.  Sophomore forwards Lucas Sowder (6-25--31 in 31 GP) and Nathan Smith (9-18--27 in 35 GP) are the top returning scorers off of last season's roster.