MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State Mavericks women's hockey team starts the new year hosting #1 Wisconsin for a pair of Western Collegiate Hockey Association games at 2:07 p.m. Jan. 2-3.
Minnesota State All-Time
Minnesota State, which began play in 1998-99, is in its 23rd season of competition and has compiled a 198-508-71 (.254) record in 777 total games played. The Mavericks are in their 22nd year as members in the WCHA and hold a 103-401-56 (.183) record in 560 games played.
Scouting #1 Wisconsin
The Badgers stand 1-1-0 overall and 1-1-0 in WCHA action this season. Last time out, on Nov. 27-28, Wisconsin split a series at Ohio State, losing 3-2 and winning 5-0. That weekend, junior defenseman Nicole LaMantia accumululated four assists including three on Nov. 28. LaMantia leads the Badgers in scoring with four points.
Facing the Badgers
The Mavericks (2-5-1, 2-5-1 WCHA) hold an all-time record of 3-89-3 against the Badgers. In the last meeting, Minnesota State upset Wisconsin 3-1 to take down the nation's top team, Feb. 8, 2020, in Mankato.
Mighty Fine Freshman
Freshman forward Jamie Nelson continues to tear up the WCHA as the league's top-scoring newcomer. Among NCAA freshman this season, Nelson is tied for second with four goals and third with three others that have seven points. In eight games this season, Nelson averages just under a point per game (.088). In MSU's last series, the Andover, Minn., native recorded a goal Dec. 17 and followed it up with another goal and an assist Dec. 18.
Back to Blocking
After finishing last season fifth in the NCAA with 96 blocked shots, junior defenseman Anna Wilgren leads the nation this season with 21 blocked shots. The Hudson, Wis., native made her way onto the scoresheet three times in MSU's last game, a 5-3 win over BSU, with an empty-net goal and two assists. Wilgren now leads Maverick defensive scoring with four points.
Fleming Finishes
Senior forward Brittyn Fleming continued her hot streak in the series vs. Bemidji State, Dec. 17-18, with a game-tying tally and an assist. Fleming leads the Mavericks in shooting percentage (.167) and is the Mavericks' active career scoring leader with 61 points. The Oregon, Wis., native currently rides a three-game point streak (2-1--3).
How About Them Apples?
Junior forward Brooke Bryant leads the Mavericks in the assists department with four helpers. The Linden, Calif., native recorded her last assist in MSU's 2-2 tie with BSU, Dec. 17
Minnesota State Man Advantage
The Mavericks are eighth in the NCAA and lead the WCHA in power play percentage (.161) with a 5-for-31 mark on the advantage this season. Maverick forwards Kennedy Bobyck, Kelsey King, Madison Oelkers, Nelson and defenseman Charlotte Akervik each have a goal on the power play this season.
Setting the Barbro
Freshman goaltender Lauren Barbro (1-2-0) stopped 14-of-17 shots en route to the Mavericks' 5-3 win over the Beavers, Dec. 18. The win marked the first of Barbro's collegiate career.
To be Frank...
Sophomore goaltender Calla Frank, who holds a 1-4 record this season, backstopped the Mavericks' 3-1 upset last season of then-#1 ranked Wisconsin with 35 saves on 36 shots, Feb. 8, 2020.
Looking Ahead
In its next series, Minnesota State is scheduled to travel to Bemidji State Jan. 8-9 to take on the Beavers at the Sanford Center.
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