Mavericks Enter Weekend Against Huskies Owning 12-4-0 Overall Record; Lead CCHA Standings With 8-2-0 League Mark; McKay Registers Third Straight Shutout For Third Time in College Career; Edwards Posts First Career Goal and Named CCHA Rookie of the Week

Off the Hop
Rated #2 by USCHO and #3 according to USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine, Minnesota State (12-4-0 overall, 8-2-0 CCHA) entertains Michigan Tech (8-5-0, 5-3-0 CCHA) this weekend in a pair of Central Collegiate Hockey Association games in Mankato.

The Mavericks and the Huskies play at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center  (4,832) in downtown Mankato Friday at 7:07 p.m., CST and at 6:07 p.m., Saturday.

The Last Time Out
Following a two-game CCHA road split at Lake Superior State last weekend, Minnesota State enters the series with Tech having won six of its last seven games

After dropping a 1-0 decision to the host Lakers in the first game last Friday, the Mavericks responded with a 3-0 victory Saturday. Junior forward Ryan Sandelin and senior forward Reggie Lutz both had a goal and assist in the win, senior defenseman Wyatt Aamodt chipped in with a pair assists and freshman forward Tanner Edwards notched his first career goal.  Senior netminder Dryden McKay collected his sixth shutout of the season by turning aside five shots.

Mavericks vs. Michigan Tech
In a series that dates back to the 1996-97 season, Minnesota State stands 46-23-10 in the all-time series vs. Michigan Tech. The Mavericks have won the last three  meetings with the Huskies and own an all-time mark of 27-6-4 vs. Tech in games played at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.

Behind the Bench
Minnesota State has gone 248-94-24 under the tutelage of head coach Mike Hastings (St. Cloud State '93), who is in his 10th season in charge of the Mavericks. Including a trip to the NCAA Frozen Four in 2020-21, Hastings has led the Mavericks to six NCAA tournament appearances and no program in the nation has won more games (248) during the time Hastings has been behind the MSU bench.

For the Ages
Minnesota State went 22-5-1 in 28 games in last year's CoVID-shortened season en route to the WCHA regular-season title, the NCAA West Region championship and the program's first-ever trip to the Frozen Four.  Last year marked the ninth season in a row of having at least 20 wins.  Minnesota State has won at least 20 games in a season 20 times in 52 seasons.

Polling
Minnesota State has been rated in the top five in all ten polls issued by USCHO and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine this year.  The Mavericks are rated #2 by USCHO and #3 by USA Today/USA Hockey this week.

WCHA - CCHA
The conclusion of the 2020-21 season signalled the end of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.  Minnesota State had been a member of the league since the 1999-2000 season and during that time constructed a 306-249-64 mark for a .561 winning percentage in 619 league games.  The Mavericks won six MacNaughton Cups as regular-season champions in their 22-year association with the WCHA.

Minnesota State begins play in the newly-formed Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) in 2021-22, joining Michigan Tech, Northern Michigan, Lake Superior State, Ferris State, Bowling Green and St. Thomas as members of the eight-team conference.  

Succession
Senior netminder Dryden McKay, a Hobey Baker Hat Trick finalist and a finalist for the Mike Richter Award in 2020-21 and a two-time All-American, McKay stands 12-3-0 for the season with a .920 save percentage and a 1.42 goals against average.

For his four-year college career, the Downers Grove, Ill., native stands 87-18-4 with a 1.52 GAA, and .931 Sv% in 112 games played.

Already this year McKay has established a new NCAA standard for career shutouts (he has 30) and a Minnesota State record for career wins (he has 87).

McKay enters the series with Michigan Tech having earned shutouts in his three previous appearances. This is the third time in his career he has accomplished the feat.

02.08.20    Dryden McKay vs. Northern Michigan (1-0)
02.21.20    Dryden McKay vs. Alabama Huntsville (10-0)
02.22.20    Dryden McKay vs. Alabama Huntsville (8-0)

01.02.21     Dryden McKay @ Northern Michigan (5-0)
01.03.21    Dryden McKay @ Northern Michigan (4-0)
01.15.21    Dryden McKay @ Lake Superior State (3-0)

11.18.21    Dryden McKay vs. St. Thomas (9-0)
11.19.21    Dryden McKay @ St. Thomas (5-0)
11.27.21    Dryden McKay @ Lake Superior State (3-0)

Catcher in the Ry
Junior forward Ryan Sandelin, who had a goal and an assist in last Saturday's 3-0 victory at Lake Superior State, has registered 4-3--7 in the last four games. The Duluth, Minn., native has reached career season-highs for goals (9), assists (6) and points (15) this year.

Tan Your Hide
Freshman forward Tanner Edwards, who made his collegiate debut in last weekend's series at Lake Superior State, picked up CCHA Rookie of the Week honors after posting his first career goal with one shot on goal and a +1 rating vs. the Lakers.

To the Point
With 44 goals and 60 assists for 104 points, senior forward Reggie Lutz is 15th on Minnesota State men's hockey career scoring list. Lutz's 154 career games played stands tied for ninth on MSU's all-time list.

The Elk River, Minn., native, who is in his fifth season of college hockey, has registered 7-9--16 in 16 games played in 2021-22.

Wy-Not
Senior defenseman Wyatt Aamodt had two assists in Minnesota State's 3-0 victory at Lake Superior State last Saturday and for 2021-22 has 1-2--3 in 16 games played and leads the Mavericks with 20 blocked shots.

Aamodt, a Hermantown, Minn., native  who has 5-15--20 in 98 career games, is in his first season serving as Minnesota State's captain.

J-Mac
Senior defenseman Jack McNeely, who has 0-5--5 in 16 games played this year, has 6-34--40 in 146 games played for his career.

In addition to a +81 rating for his career (he's in his fifth season of college hockey), the Lakeville, Minn., native has blocked 156 shots.

Mavericks Statistically Nationally
Minnesota State, which stands tied for the NCAA lead with 12 wins (Michigan and Providence also have 12) ranks second in the country in face-off percentage (58.4%) and goals scored (65).

Nathan Smith is tied for fourth in the nation in scoring (9-13--22) and stands tied for eighth in assists (13). Reggie Lutz is third in shots on goal (57). Brendan Furry is tied for fourth in assists (15). Dryden McKay's six shutouts ranks first in the nation.

Of Note:  The five shots on goal allowed in last Saturday's 3-0 win at Lake Superior State are a Minnesota State school record. The previous low was six in a 4-0 home win over Alaska Oct. 26, 2018.

On the Docket
Following this weekend's games vs. Michigan Tech, the Mavericks close out the pre-Holiday portion of their 2021-22 schedule with a road series at Bemidji State (Dec. 10-11).