Mavericks Enter Weekend Against Beavers Following Two Home Wins Over Michigan Tech and Lead CCHA Standings With 10-2-0 League Mark; Four-Point Weekend Propels Smith to CCHA Forward of the Week Recognition

Off the Hop
Rated #1 by USCHO and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine this week, Minnesota State (14-4-0 overall, 10-2-0 CCHA) plays at Bemidji State (10-6-0, 8-2-0 CCHA) this weekend in a pair of Central Collegiate Hockey Association games in Bemidji.

The Mavericks and the Beavers play at Sanford Center (4,373) in Bemidji Friday at 7:07 p.m., CST and at 6:07 p.m., Saturday.

The Last Time Out
Following a two-game CCHA home sweep over Michigan Tech last weekend, Minnesota State enters the series with BSU having won eight of its last nine games.

An overtime goal from Nathan Smith helped lift the Mavericks to a 2-1 win over the Huskies last Friday.  Smith then had a hand in all three goals in Minnesota State's 3-1 victory Saturday. Sophomore defenseman Jake Livingstone had a goal and an assist in the game and senior forward Julian Napravnik chipped in with two assists.

Mavericks vs. Bemidji State
One of its oldest-rivals and most-often played opponents, Minnesota State first played Bemidji State during the 1974-75 season. Minnesota State stands 62-61-21 in the all-time series vs. the Beavers. The Mavericks have gone 5-4-1 vs. BSU in the last ten meetings between the two schools.

Behind the Bench
Minnesota State has gone 250-94-24 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 (250) 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 11 polls issued by USCHO and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine this year.  The Mavericks are rated #1 by USCHO and USA Today/USA Hockey this week, marking the fourth time this year that they've been the top-rated team in the country.

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.  

Rest Stop
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 14-3-0 for the season with a .923 save percentage and a 1.37 goals against average.

For his four-year college career, the Downers Grove, Ill., native stands 89-18-4 with a 1.51 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 89).

Earlier this season, McKay put up three shutouts in consecutive games played, marking 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)

Cheat Code
Junior center Nathan Smith was named the CCHA Forward of the Week for the second time this year after turning in a four-point weekend in two wins over Michigan Tech last Friday and Saturday.  

Smith, who scored the game-winner in OT in last Saturday's 2-1 win over Tech, leads Minnesota State in scoring and stands tied for second nationally with 11-15--26 in 18 games played. Smith has totalled 29-29--78 in 81 career games and ranks 40th on Minnesota State's career scoring list.

In Living Color
Sophomore defenseman Jake Livingstone has 5-12--17 on the season and is tied for fourth in the nation in defenseman scoring. Livingstone had a goal and an assist in last Saturday's 3-1 win over Michigan Tech.

Nap Time
Senior winger Julian Napravnik enters the series at Bemidji State with a two-game point-scoring streak (0-3--3).  His career totals of 33-58--91 place him in a tie for 26th on Minnesota State's all-time scoring list.

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 156 career games played stands tied for eighth 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 18 games played in 2021-22.

Sands of Time
Junior forward Ryan Sandelin, who scored Minnesota State's first goal of the game in last Friday's 2-1 victory over Michigan Tech, has registered 5-3--8 in the last six games. The Duluth, Minn., native, who ranks second on the Mavericks in goals, has reached career season-highs for goals (10), assists (6) and points (16) this year.

Mavericks Statistically Nationally
Minnesota State, which owns the NCAA lead with 14 wins (Michigan and Northeastern both have 13) ranks second in the country in face-off percentage (58.4%) and goals scored (65).

Nathan Smith is tied for second in the nation in scoring (11-15--26) and stands tied for sixth in assists (15). Brendan Furry is tied for sixth in assists (15).  Reggie Lutz is tied for 10th in shots on goal (58). Dryden McKay's six shutouts ranks first in the nation.

Of Note
The Mavericks were outshot in a game for the first time this year when Michigan Tech owned a 20-19 shots on goal advantage in Minnesota State's 3-1 win last Saturday.

On the Docket
Following this weekend's games at Bemidji State (Dec. 10-11), the next action for Minnesota State is a nonconference home-and-home series with Minnesota Duluth Dec. 30 (home) and Jan. 1 (away).