Off the Hop
Fifth-rated Minnesota State (3-1-0 overall, 0-0-0 WCHA) begins Western Collegiate Hockey Association action Saturday and Sunday in a pair of road contests at Northern Michigan (1-2-0, 0-0-0 WCHA) this weekend. Face-off between the Mavericks and the Wildcats at Berry Events Center (4,260) is slated for 5:07 p.m., Saturday and 3:07 p.m., Sunday. (times are CST)

Mavericks vs. Wildcats
In a rivalry that dates back to the 2013-14 season, Minnesota State stands 16-5-3 in the all-time series vs. Northern Michigan. Including a 3-1-0 record vs. the Wildcats last year, Minnesota State heads into this weekend's series having gone 7-3-0 in the last 10 games vs. Northern Michigan. The Mavericks stand 6-3-3 vs. NMU in games played in Marquette.

Behind the Bench
Minnesota State has gone 217-85-24 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 (217) during the time Hastings has been behind the MSU bench. Under his leadership, the Crookston, Minn., native had guided the Mavericks to five NCAA tournament appearances, five WCHA regular-season titles and three WCHA postseason tournament championships.

The Group
In his first year serving as captain of the Mavericks is senior defenseman Riese Zmolek. Senior defenseman Jack McNeely, and senior forwards Dallas Gerads and Jared Spooner are serving as alternate captains. All three are in their first seasons wearing an "A" for the Mavericks.

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 the Mavericks have accomplished the feat and fifth time in the last eight years.

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

Out to Dry
Junior netminder Dryden McKay's 19-save shutout at Michigan Tech on Dec. 7 extended his school career shutout record to 16.  His 16 shutouts stand tied for ninth all-time in NCAA DI men's hockey history. McKay, who has registered two shutouts in four appearances so far in 2020-21, was named First Team All-American and the WCHA Goaltender of the Year last season after posting a 30-4-2 mark, .942 save percentage and 1.31 goals against average. His career numbers entering the games this weekend stand at 57-12-4, .153 and .934. His 56 career wins at Minnesota State rank only behind Steve Carroll's 81 victories from 1977-81 and Ken Hilgert's 57 wins from 1984-88.

McKay stands 5-0-0 all-time vs. Northern Michigan and owns a career 1.66 goals again average and a .933 save percentage vs. the Wildcats.  He has one shutout in six games vs. NMU.

Elk Club
Senior forward Reggie Lutz stands tied for second on the team in points with five on three goals and two assists in five games played for the season.  The Elk River, Minn., native has 30 goals and 42 assists for 72 points in 118 games over the course of his four-year college career after notching his third goal of the season the 1-1 tie with Bemidji State on Dec. 19.

Helping Hand
Senior centerman Jake Jaremko assisted on Reggie Lutz's goal in the 1-1 tie with Bemidji State on Dec., 19.  The Nowthen, Minn., native has five assists on the season and his five points stands tied for second on the team. He also leads the Mavericks with a +5 rating. Jaremko's 30-49--79 in 106 career games places him in a tie for 34th on Minnesota State's career scoring list (DI-era).

Motorcade
Sophomore forward Cade Borchardt enjoyed a career night in recording a four-point game in Minnesota State's 5-4 win over Bemidji State Dec. 18. The Burnsville, Minn., native, who had 0-0--0 in ten games as a freshman last year, leads the Mavericks in scoring with six points on three goals and three assists in five games.

Joules
Junior forward Julian Napravnik scored twice and assisted on another in the 5-4 win over Bemidji State on Dec. 18.  His second goal in the contest proved to be the game-winner and gives him seven GWGs for his career.  He also tallied the only goal in the shootout win vs. the Beavers the next night (Dec. 19). With 3-2--5 in four games played, the Bad Nauheim, Germany native stands tied for second on the team's scoring charts.

For the Defense
Freshman defenseman Akito Hirose registered two points on two assists with six shots on goal, a +1 rating and two blocked shots in the home series vs. Bemidji State and as a result was named the WCHA Rookie of the Week.  In the 5-4 win over BSU on Dec. 18, Hirose drew and assist on Julian Napravnik's power play marker at the 19-minute mark of the first period to give the Mavericks a 2-0 lead, and then assisted on Minnesota State's fourth goal of the game which was scored at 17:15 of the third period by Cade Borchardt. For the season, the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL) product has 0-3--3 with 12 shots on goal and a +4 rating in five games played.

Net Gain
Senior netminder Ryan Edquist saw his first action as a Maverick when he stopped 16 of 17 shots in the 1-1 tie with Bemidji State on Dec. 19.  Edquist, a Lakeville, Minn., native who played at Boston College prior to joining Minnesota State, stands 9-6-3 for his college career with a 2.50 goals against average and a .907 save percentage. He owns one career shut out (for BC in 2-0 win vs. UConn, Dec. 30, 2017).

Sand Trap
Sophomore forward Ryan Sandelin tallied his first goal of the season when he scored in the 5-4 win over Bemidji State on Dec. 18.  The Hermantown, Minn., native has 2-3--5 in 27 career games with Minnesota State.

On Deck
Minnesota State continues WCHA action following the series at Northern Michigan with a pair of league home games vs. Michigan Tech Jan. 8-9.