Due Up: Minnesota State is coming off a 15-19-1 season and 10-17-1 against WCHA (Western Collegiate Hockey Association) opponents will the 2022 season against #1 Ohio State (19- 5-0, 15-5-0 WCHA) this weekend. Face-offs are scheduled for 3:00 p.m., CST Friday and 12:00 p.m. Saturday at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. 

 Last Time Out: MSU hosted Manitoba for an exhibition scrimmage last weekend to sharpen its play for the regular season. The Mavericks peppered Manitoba in shots 43-12 as MSU commanded the pace of play. Senior defender Anna Wilgren led the Mavericks' offensive onslaught with two goals scoring in the first five minutes of the second and third period. Three other Mavericks were able to find the back of the net as MSU beat the Bison 5-1. 

 Taking on #1 Ohio State: In 100 all-time matchups between the Mavericks and Buckeyes, MSU is 14-75-11. The Buckeyes have won 10 straight games in the series and are unbeaten by the Mavericks in the last 15 meetings dating back to Dec. 1, 2018, including when the Buckeyes swept MSU last season with 6-3 and 9-0 outcomes, Nov. 19-20 in Columbus, Ohio. In games played in Mankato, MSU is 8-30-6 vs. OSU. 

OSU owned a 19-5-0 overall record last season with a 15-5-0 mark in league games. The Buckeyes ranked third in the WCHA standings with a .750 win percentage. MSU owned a .394 win percentage in league games while checking in at fifth in the standings.