2008 Woodie Awards
MSU Women's Hockey Gameday
Issue date: 12/6/07
Section: Womens Sports
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at Minnesota State Mavericks (5-8-1, 5-6-1 WCHA)
WHEN: Friday - 7:07 p.m., Saturday - 3:07 p.m.
WHERE: All Seasons Arena - Mankato, Minn.
PREVIEW: Minnesota State started slow last weekend, losing Friday to North Dakota, but rebounded Saturday with a 5-1 victory for the weekend split. They host the No. 5 Minnesota Gophers this weekend.
FORWARDS: Kristina Bunker and Maggie Fisher led the offense in North Dakota, totaling five points between them. Freshman Lisa Edman (3-2-5) has had a solid contribution to the offense thus far. She recorded a goal over the weekend and has already been named WCHA Player of the Week once. Lindsay Macy was able to play last weekend for the Mavericks, recording an assist in each game but will be listed as questionable again for this weekend. Her +3 is tops on the team.
DEFENSE: Holly Snyder and Jodi Helminen have both been able to contribute offensively from the blue line, helping out an offense ranked in the middle of the WCHA in scoring. Helminen has made a good adjustment playing defense after playing forward her first three years. MSU's penalty-kill stopped all 11 chances North Dakota had over the weekend, but the Gophers are a much more high-powered offense than the Sioux. Special-teams play has been a big focus in practice this week again for the Mavs.
IN NET: Goaltender Britni Kehler had an outstanding weekend for the Mavericks. Only picking up one win but allowing just three goals in 120 minutes. Her 56 saves improved her save percentage to .910. Kehler will start in net for the Mavs Friday night.
SCOUTING THE GOPHERS: The Gophers are coming into Mankato on a hot-streak after winning five-consecutive WCHA matchups and outscoring their opponents 19-4 during that stretch. They are talented and much more experienced this year at the forward position. Senior forwards Erica McKenzie (12-9-21) and Bobbi Ross (9-9-18) headline the offense. The Gophers also have two solid goaltenders in junior Kim Hanlon and freshman Jenny Lura, who both have a goals against average fewer than 2.30. They will most likely both see action against MSU.
LAST MEETING: The Mavericks and Gophers split last year with both teams sweeping the other on their opponents home ice. The Mavs are 3-35-2 all-time against the Gophers.
NEXT UP: MSU will have a few weeks off for Holiday Break but return to action Dec. 29-30, when they travel to Pittsburgh, Penn., for a series against Robert Morris.
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