Off the Hop
Rated third this week both by USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine and USCHO, Minnesota State (11-2-1 overall, 8-0-0 WCHA) hits the road for a pair of Western Collegiate Hockey Association games at Alabama Huntsville (2-7-1, 2-2-0 WCHA). Face-off between the Mavericks and the Chargers at Von Braun Center (6,600) is slated for 7:07 p.m., CST Thursday and 7:07 p.m. Friday
 
Mavericks vs. Chargers
In a series that dates back to the 1988-89 season, Minnesota State owns a 40-16-7 mark vs. Alabama Huntsville. The Mavericks have not lost to UAH since the 2001-02 season and own a record of 30-0-4 vs. the Chargers in the 34 games played during that time. Minnesota State stands 17-12-3 in games played vs. UAH in Huntsville.

Behind the Bench
Minnesota State has gone 225-87-24 for a .705 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 (225) 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 has 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.

Arrêter la Rondelle
Junior netminder Dryden McKay stands 11-1-0 and owns a 0.84 goals against average and a .959 save percentage for 2020-21. He leads the country in goals against average, save percentage, winning percentage (.917) and shutouts. McKay, a three-time WCHA Goaltender of the Week this year whose name appears on this season's Hobey Baker and Mike Richter Watch lists, is tied for second on the NCAA's all-time list with 21 career shutouts

McKay stands 7-0-0 all-time in games vs. Alabama Huntsville. His goals against average vs. the Chargers is 0.57 and along with a .962 save percentage, he owns three shutout vs. UAH.

Film Score
Senior forward Reggie Lutz leads the Mavericks in goal-scoring with seven goals this year and owns a team-high 60 shots on goal.  In a 126 career games, the Elk River, Minn., native has registered 34 goals and 46 assists for 80 points, which ties for 32nd on the school's career scoring list.

A Few Words in Defense
Currently in the midst of a three-game point-scoring streak during which he's registered 1-5--6, senior defenseman Riese Zmolek has 1-6--7 in 11 games played on the year.  The Rochester, Minn., native shares the team-lead for blocked shots with 22.

Pay it Forward
After chalking up a three-point weekend in the series vs. Bowling Green, sophomore center Nathan Smith enters the UAH series riding a four-game point-scoring streak (1-5--6). Smith has 3-13--16 in 14 games played this year and his assists per game mark of 0.93 stands tied for fifth in the country.

Cas-Cade
Sophomore forward Cade Borchardt stands tied for Minnesota State's scoring lead with 6-10--16.  His points per game average of 1.14 stands tied for 19th in the nation.

Cat Nap
Junior forward Julian Napravnik stands tied for first on the Mavericks in scoring with 6-10--16 in 13 games played. He leads Minnesota State with three game-winning goals and stands tied for the team lead with three power play markers.

You Only Live Twice
Freshman defenseman Jake Livingstone registered two assists in last Friday's 4-0 win over Bowling Green for the first multi-point game of his college career. The Creston, B.C., native has 2-3--6 in 14 games played.

Defensive Tactics
Junior defenseman Wyatt Aamodt, who has 1-2--3 in 14 games played this season, stands tied for the team lead with 22 blocked shots.

Self Defense
Freshman Akito Hirose is Minnesota State's top-scoring defenseman with 1-8--9 on the year. The Calgary, Alta., native leads the Mavericks with a +13 rating - a mark that ties for third in the country amongst all freshmen.

Horse Power
Minnesota State has connected on 16 of 53 power play chances for a .302 power play percentage, which ranks second in the nation. The Mavericks own an .880% success rate on the penalty kill to rank sixth in the nation in having fended off 44 of 50 opponent chances with the man advantage.

On the Docket
Following this weekend's series at Alabama Huntsville, the Mavericks are at Ferris State Feb. 19-20 in their next action.