Off the Hop: #17/17 Minnesota State (12-9-1 overall, 9-6-1 CCHA) remains on the road Jan. 13-14 as the Mavericks travel to Arizona State University (11-12-0) for a pair of nonconference contests. Face-off from Mullett Arena (5,000) in Tempe, Ariz. is scheduled for 8 p.m. (CST) both evenings.

Mavericks vs. Sun Devils:  MSU owns a 4-0-1 advantage against ASU in its short history. The teams tied 2-2 in their first meeting on Dec. 29, 2018, but since the Mavericks have won four straight. Last season at home, Minnesota State swept the series by the scores of 4-2 and 5-3.

Statistically speaking, Minnesota State leads the nation in face off percentage at 59.2 % (717 won, 500 lost)). MSU sits sixth nationally with a 25.8 power play percentage, while ASU ranks 11th in the nation in penalty kill percentage at 85.1%. The Sun Devils have totaled 353 penalty minutes to lead the nation. Their 15.4 penalty minutes per game is second. The Mavericks have been discipled this year and average just 8.73 penalty minutes per game.   

Broadcast Information:  Friday's game will be streamed for free through the Arizona State website (follow the link on our men's hockey schedule page at msumavericks.com).  Saturday's game will air live on Pac-12 Arizona.  Please check your local cable provider for access to that network. If you subscribe to the Pac-12 network, you do have digital access to Pac-12 Arizona.  As always, both games will air on the radio on AM 1420 KTOE here in Mankato.

Last Time Out:  Minnesota State started the New Year with a CCHA series sweep at Northern Michigan University. The Mavericks netted a handful of goals in both wins, as they posted 5-2 and 5-3 victories, respectfully.

In game one, junior center David Silye scored two power play goals and added an assist, while junior defenseman Jake Livingstone added a goal and two assists. Saturday, senior forward Brendan Furry led the offense with two goals and an assist. On the weekend, MSU was 3-for-6 on the power play.

Between the pipes, sophomore goaltender Keenan Rancier picked up a pair of victories. He totaled 44 saves.

Polls: Minnesota State is ranked #17 in both the USCHO and USA Today/USA Hockey national polls released earlier this week. The Mavericks are tied with Michigan State in the USCHO poll for #17, and are tied with UMASS for 17th in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll. Minnesota State has been ranked in all 15 of the USCHO polls this year. MSU returned to the top 20 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine poll this week.

Maverick Hockey History:  Now into the 54th year of its existence, Minnesota State owns an all-time record of 1022-678-159. The Mavericks are in their 27th year as members of NCAA Division I and are in their second season as members of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

To view the complete game note packet, please follow the link at the top of this article.