Mankato, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's hockey team will conclude its regular season  with a Western Collegiate Hockey Association series against the #3 Minnesota Gophers. The puck will drop at 7:07 p.m., and 4:07 p.m., on Feb. 21-22 at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis, Minn.
 
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 194-499-70 (.300) record in 763 total games played. The Mavericks are in their 21st year as members in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and hold a 118-397-55 (.255) record in 570 games played.

Last Time on the Ice: Minnesota State (11-16-6, 4-14-4-3 WCHA) went 0-1-1 in a WCHA home series with then-#8 Minnesota Duluth, dropping the first game 5-4 and collecting the 1-1 tie in game two. 

In the first game, the Bulldogs held a 2-0 lead at the end of the first period, scoring both goals within a minute of each other. Senior center Ryleigh Houston faked to the near post and went back door for the first goal at the 8:19 mark before sophomore winger McKenzie Hewett scored the second goal on a tip in front of the net. The Mavericks cut the deficit in half at the 5:38 mark in the second period as freshman winger Kelsey King went top shelf on a backhanded shot from inside the left dot. Minnesota Duluth took back the two goal advantage as sophomore forward Kylie Hanley's shot from the point made it through the pads of the MSU netminder at the 10:49 mark. UMD took a 4-1 lead at the 2:51 mark in the third period as senior forward Sydney Brodt caused a turnover on a Maverick power play and scored the short handed goal. Minnesota State scored the next two goals to cut the Bulldog lead back to one. Junior defenseman Tristen Truax also scored on the power play on a rebound that was pushed to the backside of the net. Sophomore winger Brooke Bryant brought Minnesota State within a goal as Bryant and junior center Brittyn Fleming completed a 2-on-1 break at the 8:22 mark. A little over two minutes later, sophomore center Gabbie Hughes won the battle in a scrum in front of the net to give UMD a 5-3 advantage. The Mavericks came within one goal once more at the 14:25 mark as junior defenseman Jessica Kondas hit a one timer from the point to make the final score 5-4.

In game two, after a scoreless first period, the Bulldogs broke through with the first goal of the game at the 14:10 mark in the second period. Brodt received a pass in the middle of the ice from below the red line by Hughes and put the puck in the back of the net. The Mavericks continued to trail the Bulldogs until the 19:37 mark in the third period. After pulling the goaltender to gain an extra attacker, senior blueliner McKenzie Sederberg hit a one timer from the point that glanced off the UMD netminder's pads and into the net. The game ended in a 1-1 tis as Minnesota Duluth earned the extra conference point by scoring the the 3-on-3 overtime period with senior defenseman Jalyn Elmes scoring the goal.

In net, sophomore Abigail Levy (5-11-3) made 24 saves in the game one defeat and freshman Calla Frank (6-5-3) made 21 saves in the game two tie.

WCHA Defenseman of the Week: McKenzie Sederberg collected two points off a goal and an assist over the weekend. Sederberg scored the game tying goal on Senior Day with less than 30 seconds left in the third period in the 1-1 tie. She was one of two WCHA defenseman to score a goal and collect an assist over the weekend with the other being her defensive partner Tristen Truax. 

Senior Day: Five seniors were honored before Saturday's game against the Bulldogs. Emily Antony, Chloe Crosby, Jordan Jackson, Sofia Poinar and McKenzie Sederberg all played in their final home game as a Maverick over the weekend.

Offensive Defenseman: The Mavericks' blueliners collected seven of the 14 points against UMD over the weekend. Jessica Kondas (G), McKenzie Sederberg (G,A), Tristen Truax (G,A) and Anna Wilgren (2A) all contributed offensively for MSU.

Scouting #3 Minnesota: The Gophers (23-5-3, 15-5-2-1 WCHA) currently sit second in the WCHA at 48 points, three points behind Wisconsin. UM was the only WCHA team to be off this past week.

The Gophers' offense is led by junior forward Grace Zumwinkle, who leads the team with 20 goals and 38 points, while also collecting 18 assists. Senior forward Sarah Potomak leads the team with 21 assists, while also scoring 16 goals for 37 points.

In net, Minnesota features senior Sydney Scobee (22-5-3) who has started 30 of the 31 games. She has a 1.62 goals against average, .932 save percentage, 672 saves and seven shutouts on the season.

Facing #3 Minnesota: The Mavericks have an all-time record of 3-91-3 against the Gophers. In the most recent match-up, UM defeated MSU 4-0 in the Hall of Fame Classic on Dec. 7 at Dakotah! Ice Center.

Looking Ahead: Minnesota State will await to see where it will be traveling to for the first round of the WCHA Tournament. The Mavericks currently sit in the sixth spot with 19 points, while Minnesota Duluth and Ohio State both sit in the third spot with 40 points.