Off the Hop
Rated fourth in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll and sixth by USCHO this week, Minnesota State (9-2-0 overall, 6-0-0 WCHA) returns home to host eighth-rated Bowling Green (16-4-0, 5-1-0 WCHA) in a matchup between the top two teams in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Face-off between the Mavericks and the Falcons at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center (4,832) is slated for 7:07 p.m., CST Friday and 6:07 p.m. Saturday
 
Mavericks vs. Falcons
In a series that dates back to the 2008-09 season, Minnesota State owns a 16-10-3 mark vs. Bowling Green. The Mavericks have won the last three times they've faced the Falcons and own an 8-5 mark in games vs. BGSU played in the Key City.

Behind the Bench
Minnesota State has gone 223-87-24 for a .706 winning percentage 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 (223) during the time Hastings has been behind the MSU bench. Under his leadership, the Crookston, Minn., native has 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.

The Mavericks and the MacNaughton Cup
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.

Stop Sign
Junior netminder Dryden McKay, who leads the country with a 0.90 goals against average, a .954 save percentage and six shutouts, stands 9-1-1 for the year. McKay stands tied for third on the NCAA's all-time list with 20 career shutouts.

This past week, McKay's named appeared on the Hobey Baker Award nomination list, the Richter Award Watch list and he was named the WCHA Goaltender of the Month for January.

McKay, who stands 4-2-0 all-time in games vs. Bowling Green, owns a goals against average of 2.24 and along with a .913 save percentage, he has one shutout vs. BGSU.

Coordi-Nate
Sophomore center Nathan Smith, who has three assists in the last two games, has 2-11--13 in 12 games played this year. His assists per game mark of 0.92 ranks eighth in the country.  Smith's name appears on the Hobey Baker Award nomination list.

Barri-Cade
Sophomore forward Cade Borchardt leads Minnesota State in scoring with 6-9--15.  His points per game average of 1.25 stands tied for 11th in the nation. Borchardt, who enters this weekend having tallied 3-6--9 in the last seven contests, is listed amongst the candidates for the Hobey Baker Award.

For the Defense
Freshman defenseman Jake Livingstone registered his third goal of the season in last Friday's nonconference tilt at Bemidji State. The Creston, B.C., native has 3-1--4 in 12 games played in his first season of college hockey.

Building Blocks
Junior defenseman Wyatt Aamodt, who has 1-1--2 in 12 games played this season, leads the Mavericks with 20 blocked shots.  For his three-year Minnesota State career, the Hermantown, Minn., native has 3-9--12 in 66 games played.

You're so Defensive
Freshman Akito Hirose is Minnesota State's top-scoring defenseman with 1-7--8 on the year. The Calgary, Alta., native leads the Mavericks with a +10 rating - a mark that ranks fifth in the country amongst all freshmen.

Wing and a Prayer
Junior forward Julian Napravnik stands tied for second on the Mavericks in scoring with 6-7--13 in 11 games played. His 1.27 points per game marks ranks tenth in the nation. He leads Minnesota State with three game-winning goals and stands tied for the team lead with three power play markers.

Special Teams
Minnesota State has connected on 14 of 46 power play chances for a nation's best .304 power play percentage this year. The Mavericks own an .881% success rate on the penalty kill to rank eighth in the nation in having fended off 37 of 42 opponent chances with the man advantage.

Hobey Hopefuls
The Mavericks have three players appearing on the Hobey Baker Award nomination list in Dryden McKay, Cade Borchardt and Nathan Smith.

In the Beginning
Freshman forward Connor Gregga made his first appearance in Purple & Gold when he suited up in last Friday's nonconference game vs. Bemidji State.

On the Docket
Following this weekend's series vs. Bowling Green, the Mavericks are scheduled for league games at Alabama Huntsville Feb. 11-12. The following weekend (Feb. 19-20) is a road series at Ferris State.