Men and women’s hockey play at home this weekend

Andrew Neururer
Sports Editor

The No. 2 Minnesota State men’s hockey team will take on No. 18 Bowling Green this weekend, highlighting a big Division I battle. 

Currently, Bowling Green is 4-3 but holds a perfect 2-0 on the road. Before losing to Michigan Tech on Oct. 26, the Falcons were besting a three-game win streak. 

Now they will travel on the road to take on the 5-0-1 Mavericks. Thus far, freshman Lucas Sowder leads the team in points. He currently has two goals and a team high seven assists. 

The next Maverick to lead things is also a freshman, Nathan Smith. Smith has two goals and five assists on the season. 

While Smith and Sowder have got teammates involved, senior Marc Michaelis leads the team with four goals. Right behind him is senior Charlie Gerard with three himself – all three coming in the last series versus Alabama Huntsville.

The Mavericks have scored four or more goals in five of their six games. When the two teams play, they have been even, but Minnesota state holds the 11-9-3 edge. 

On the women’s side, they will be playing Merrimack. MSU boasts a .500 record at 4-4-2 and will be looking to gain its first win at home. This will be the first time these two teams will be squaring off.

MSU will have a good chance of picking up its third straight win, as Merrimack is just 2-5-2 on the season. They have also tied or lost their last five games. 

This season, junior Mariah Gardner and freshman Kelsey King lead the team in points. Gardner splits at three goals and assists, whereas King has all of them from assists. 

Joining Gardner in the goal department are sophomores Claire Butorac and Madison Oelkers. They both have three goals on the season and have been a large part of the Mavericks offense.

Both the men’s and women’s team are at home this weekend and will be play on Friday and Saturday.

Header photo: Minnesota State forward Charlie Gerard (9) shoots the puck against Arizona State at the Mankato Civic Center Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019 in Mankato, Minn. (Kjerstin Hall/MSU Reporter)