MSU Women's Hockey Gameday

Issue date: 11/29/07
Section: Womens Sports

Who

Minnesota State Mavericks (4-7-1, 4-5-1 WCHA)
at North Dakota Fighting Sioux (2-10-4, 2-6-2 WCHA)

When

Friday - 7:07 p.m., Saturday - 2:07 p.m.

Where

Ralph Engelstad Arena - Grand Forks, N.D.

Preview

After impressive wins against Ohio State, Minnesota State was swept last weekend by Minnesota Duluth. They will look to rebound as they travel to North Dakota to square-off against the Fighting Sioux.

Forwards

Jodi Helminen was one of the few offensive sparks for MSU last weekend, netting her first goal of the year and adding two assists. Maggie Fisher and Kristina Bunker each had a goal as well. The weekend also saw Kala Buganski's scoring-streak end at four games after tallying four goals and two assists during her last four contests. One of MSU's top offensive threats, Lindsay Macy, will be a game-time decision Friday after missing both games last weekend.

Defense

The Mavericks stressed special-teams play in practice this week after giving up five power-play goals to the Bulldogs over the weekend. Head coach Jeff Vizenor said the power-play and penalty kill units will stay the same and will focus more on being aggressive. Facing a team that has struggled scoring on the power-play all year, it could be a good time for the Mavericks penalty kill to rebound. Andreanne Thibault and Holly Snyder were the only defenders with points against UMD, both getting assists Saturday; Snyder's fifth assist leads the team. Freshmen Ashley Bliskowski's availability for the weekend will be a game-time decision.

In Net

Goaltender Britni Kehler played better than the stat sheet suggests Friday, with 38 saves, and all three goals against coming from the special teams unit. Saturday Kehler was pulled after UMD's sixth goal in favor of freshmen Paige Thunder, who was rewarded with playing time after a good week of practice. Kehler is set to start Friday for the Mavs.

Scouting the Fighting Sioux

A team that has been at the bottom of the WCHA for the last few years, UND is playing better and much more competitive hockey this year. Goaltending has not been too much of a problem for the Sioux, with Brittany Kirkham playing in every game this year and owning a respectable 3.17 goals against average. Forwards Melissa Jaques, Jodi Holland and Stephanie Roy will provide most of the offensive punch. UND has not recorded a victory in 10 straight contests, (two ties) but they have not been blown-out in any of them either.

Last Meeting

Minnesota State won all four games against UND last season, including a pair of shutouts last October at Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Up Next for MSU

MSU host the University of Minnesota next weekend for a Western Collegiate Hockey Association series at All Seasons Arena.