Minnesota State University Reporter

Issue date: 1/17/08 Section: Mens Sports

WHEN: Friday - 7:37 p.m., Saturday - 7:07 p.m.

WHERE:Alltel Center - Mankato

PREVIEW: No. 20 Minnesota State started strong last weekend in Duluth with two separate two-goal leads on Friday, but saw that lead disappear at the end of regulation. They lost that game in overtime, 4-3. On Saturday, the roles were reversed as MSU saw itself behind 2-0 but managed to salvage the 2-2 tie with a late goal from Trevor Bruess. They host No. 6 North Dakota this weekend.

FORWARDS: Trevor Bruess and Geoff Irwin led the offensive attack against the Bulldogs. Bruess tallied 1-1-2 last weekend to bring his team-leading point total to 16, while Irwin tallied 2-1-3 to bring his season total to nine points. After a slow start, senior captain Joel Hanson tallied three assists against Duluth and now ranks third on the team with 4-8--12. Hanson is in the middle of an eight game point scoring streak, while Bruess enjoys a five game streak of his own.

DEFENSE: Brian Kilburg leads all MSU defensemen in scoring with nine points to help out the Maverick offense. Defensively, newcomers Kurt Davis and Ben Youds have added some much needed depth to a veteran defensive core that has quietly become a major strength of the team. The Mavericks have killed off a WCHA best 97 penalties this year and look to lean on that penalty kill as special teams will likely be a main factor in the series against North Dakota.

IN NET: Mike Zacharias has established himself as a top-tier goaltender in the WCHA all while earning the starting spot for himself this season. Although he surrendered six goals last weekend against Duluth, Zacharias gives his team a chance to win every weekend and sports a 1.94 GAA and a save percentage of .930. He will start in net for the Mavs Friday night.

SCOUTING THE FIGHTING SIOUX: Returning Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner-the award given to the nation's top college hockey player- Ryan Duncan leads North Dakota in points with 22. Along with him will be forward T.J. Oshie, who is second on the team with 20 points to head an offense that ranks second in the WCHA in scoring. Goaltender Jean-Philippe Lamoureux was a big part of the team's Frozen Four appearance last season and will likely be between the pipes both nights.

LAST MEETING: The last meeting between these teams came in the first round of the 2007 WCHA playoffs. The Sioux beat the Mavericks 5-2 and 2-1 thus ending MSU's season. North Dakota leads the all-time series 25-9-7 and is 8-1-1 in the last ten meetings.


Pat Ottum is a Reporter staff writer

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