MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State Mavericks (13-17-2, 8-8-2 WCHA) travel to St. Paul this weekend to take on St. Thomas (12-19-1, 7-18-1 WCHA) to close out the regular season before the start of WCHA postseason play.

The series will be played at the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. Both games will be streamed on B1G+.
 
Scouting the Tommies

St. Thomas enters the weekend in seventh place in the WCHA standings, sitting just one point behind Minnesota State with 23 points. The Tommies are not currently ranked in the USCHO or USA Hockey polls.
St. Thomas is coming off a series against Minnesota Duluth, falling 3-0 on both Friday and Saturday.

Junior Rylee Bartz leads the Tommies with 26 points on the season, totaling 15 goals and 11 assists. In net, graduate student Julia Minotti anchors the defense with a .906 save percentage and a 2.73 goals-against average.
 
Recap vs. Wisconsin

Minnesota State is coming off a series against Wisconsin Badgers.

On Friday, the Mavericks generated early pressure in the opening period with shots from Whitney Tuttle and Zoe Lopez. Wisconsin took a 2-0 lead before Lauren Zawoyski scored late in the first period off assists from Tuttle and Sophie Stramel to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Wisconsin added a short-handed goal in the second period to make it 3-1. The Mavericks had multiple power-play opportunities but were unable to convert. Hailey Hansen made several key saves to keep Minnesota State within reach.

In the third period, the Mavericks continued to push offensively, but a Wisconsin power-play goal extended the lead to 4-1, which held as the final.

On Saturday, Wisconsin opened the scoring midway through the first period and added a power-play goal shortly after. Ava Guillemette responded for Minnesota State with assists from Makayla Moran and Whitney Tuttle to make it 2-1. Wisconsin answered again on the power play and carried a 3-1 lead into the intermission.

The Badgers extended the lead in the second period. Minnesota State generated chances late but could not capitalize. Wisconsin added a late third-period goal to secure the 5-1 final. Kaydence Roeske made 33 saves in net.
 
Series History

The Mavericks hold a 14-6 advantage in the all-time series against the Tommies. The two teams last met in October, where they split the series. St. Thomas won game one 2-1 in overtime, while Minnesota State took game two 3-0.