The University of Minnesota Duluth returns to Western Collegiate Hockey Association play this weekend when the No. 10 Bulldogs host Minnesota State University, Mankato at AMSOIL Arena.  Both Saturday and Sunday's games will get underway at 3:07 p.m.  Sunday will also feature "Team Autograph Day", with the entire Bulldog team available for autographs and pictures after the game.

USCHO RANKING:  UMD-- 10th, Minnesota State-- N/A
USA TODAY/USA HOCKEY MAG: UMD-- Rec. Votes, Minnesota State-- N/A

THE SERIES:  UMD owns an impressive history against the Mavericks, with a series lead of 53-6-4, including 24 series sweeps.  Currently, the Bulldogs own a five-game winng streak against the Mavericks, dating back to the 2012-13 season.  

Last year, the Bulldogs went 4-0 against MSU, outscoring the Mavericks 16-6 in those four games.  Senior winger Zoe Hickel compiled five goals and four assists against MSU in those four UMD wins in 2013-14.

The Bulldogs also had termendous luck on the power play last season against MSU, going 9-of-22.

The two programs last met on Jan. 10-11 in AMSOIL, a Bulldogs sweep with scores of 3-1 and 4-2.  Eight different players contributed a point in the Jan. 10 3-1 win, with Hickel recording a goal and an assist and blueliner Tea Villila redirecting home the game-winning goal.  The Bulldogs scored three, third period power-play goals to work over the Mavericks, while Kayla Black made 30 save saves in goal.

On Jan. 11, UMD netted two power-play goals by Ashleigh Brykaliuk and Jamie Kenyon and two even-strength goals by Hickel -- including an open netter with 53 seconds remaining to seal the game at 4-2.  UMD was 2-of-8 on the power-play and 5-of-13 in on the weekend with the extra skater.  Black made 27 stops for the Bulldogs.  Hickel figured in five of UMD's seven goals on the weekend, tallying three goals and two assists -- both game-winners.

LAST TIME OUT:  UMD (4-4-2, 1-4-1-1) earned its first series sweep of the season with 3-1 and 6-2 wins over Lindenwood University. last weekend.  

In Saturday's skate, UMD used two goals by Meghan Huertas, one in the first period at 5:18 and a another 10:37 into the second period to pull away from the Lions.  Sophomore Ashleigh Brykaliuk added the third goal at 12:06 of the second period.  Kayla Black made 24 saves while UMD outshot the Lions 31-25.

Sunday the Bulldogs got behind 1-0 with 50 seconds remaining in the first period and were outshot a glaring 13-3 before scoring three unanswered goals in the second period and five unanswered tallies in all.  Brykaliuk got the scoring started 11:06 into the second period and rookie Marie Lindh put UMD up 2-1 22 seconds later.  Zoe Hickel netted the first of her three goals 3:18 after Lindh's, and then Hickel helped blow the game open with a second 4:22 into the final period.  UMD also received goals from Huertas and another by Hickel in the third period.  Karissa Grapp made her first start in goal this season, recording 22 saves.

NOTES FROM THE LINDENWOOD SERIES:  The Bulldogs are 2-0  now after sweeping the Lions in their first ever meetings.  In 12 games now against College Hockey America schools, UMD is 9-2-1.

--The Bulldogs have now won their last their last three games and are 3-1-1 in their last five outings.

-- Meghan Huertas is currently in the midst of a three-game goal scoring streak, and has scored four goals and added an assist for five points over that time.  Huertas was scoreless in her first seven games with just two assists before finding the net over her last three outings.  Huertas now has four goals and three assists for seven points in 10 games.

--Hickel's hat trick was the first of her Bulldog career and propelled her into the UMD scoring lead with Lara Stalder at nine points.  Hickel has a team-high six goals to go with three assists and becomes the first UMD player to nab a hat trick since Brigette Lacquette did it against Ohio State back on Jan. 25, 2013.  It was the first Bulldog hat trick in Duluth, Minn. since McParland buried three against St. Cloud State on Dec. 3, 2011.

--Sophomore center Stalder shares the points lead with Hickel after playing a roll in five of UMD's nine goals on the weekend.  Stalder had both game-winning assists in the series and owns a team-best seven assists.

--11 players notched points in the series against the Lions last week, including three players that had two or more points in one game.  Stalder had back-to-back multiple point games with two assists Saturday and three on Sunday.  Huertas also had back-to-back multiple point games, scoring two goals on Saturday before netting a goal and adding an assist Sunday.

MCPARLAND JOINS THE 100 POINT CLUB: Senior winger Jenna McParland assisted Ashleigh Brykaliuk on Sunday to earn her 100th career point.  McParland, who sits at 46-54=100, is the 19th player to reach the milestone in Bulldog history and now ranks in 19th place on the all-time scoring chart.

BULLDOGS AT FOUR NATIONS:  While none of them will miss any UMD duty, three Bulldogs will play in next week's Four Nation's Cup, including Tea Villila (Finland),  and Michelle Lowenhielm and Marie Lindh (Sweden).     The tournament will be held in Kamloops, BC from Nov. 4-8.  Three former UMD alums will also play in the four team tourney -- Haley Irwin and Jocelyne Larocque (Canada) and Pernilla Winberg (Sweden).  

Katerina Mrázová will also be gone next week the Czech National Team in Japan.


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