The Bemidji State University women’s hockey team makes its first appearance in the Minnesota Cup to start the new year. The second-annual tournament features four teams within the state of Minnesota pit against each other for the opportunity to bring home the championship trophy. In their first attempt at the cup, the Beavers will have to go through St. Cloud State University and either Minnesota State University or No. 10 University of Minnesota Duluth. Bemidji State begins the tournament Saturday, Jan. 4 versus the Huskies (4-13-2, 0-12-0-0 WCHA) at 1:07 p.m., followed by either the Mavericks (7-10-2, 2-8-2-1 WCHA) or the Bulldogs (8-8-2, 4-6-2-0 WCHA) Sunday, Jan. 5. Minnesota Duluth hosts the second-year tournament for the first time at AMSOIL Arena.

A Look at the Huskies
Bemidji State and St. Cloud State will meet for the 93rd meeting in the all-time series history with the Beavers holding a 45-38-9 advantage over the Huskies. BSU earned a series sweep over SCSU when the two teams met earlier this season on Dec. 6-7 and the Beavers are winners of their last six against the Huskies.

St. Cloud State begins the new year after going 4-13-2 during the first half of the season and are last in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association with a 0-12-0 league record. St. Cloud State is winless in their last four games (0-3-1) after ending the first half of the season against the Beavers and going 0-1-1 at Mercyhurst University.

The Huskies are sixth in the WCHA by averaging 2.11 goals per game and are last by allowing opponents 3.16 goals per game. SCSU’s power play is third in the league with a .180 percentage (9-of-50) while its penalty kill is fifth at .839 percent (52-of-62). The Huskies are led by freshman Klara Hymlarova who paces the team and league freshmen which 13 points off of four goals and nine points in 19 games this season. She is followed by Hallie Theodosopoulos who has 11 points off of eight goals and three assists and Jenniina Nylund who has 10 points off of three goals and seven assists. In net, the Huskies are paced by junior Emma Polusny who has posted a 3-11-2 record in 16 games and has a .910 save percentage to go along with a 3.06 goals against average.

A Look At The Mavericks
Bemidji State and Minnesota State may meet for the 86th meeting in the all-time series history with the Beavers holding a 43-30-12 advantage of the Mavericks. BSU earned a series sweep over the Mavericks when the two teams met earlier this season on Nov. 22-23.

Minnesota State begins the new year after going 7-10-2 during the first half of the season and are sixth in the WCHA standings with a 2-8-2-1 league record. Minnesota State last played Dec. 7 at the USA Hockey Hall of Fame Museum Classic after having its series with Lindenwood University postponed.

The Mavericks are last in the league by averaging just 1.89 goals per game and are sixth by allowing opponents 2.84 goals per game. Minnesota State’s power play is last in the WCHA by converting at just a .106 percentage (5-of-47) while its penalty kill is fourth at .843 percent (59-of-70). The Mavericks are led by Mariah Gardner (5g-7a) and Kelsey King (3g-9a) who each have posted 12 points in 19 games this season. They are followed by Anna Wilgren who has posted 11 points off of four goals and seven assists in 19 games. In net, sophomore Abigail Levy has posted a 3-7-1 record to go along with a 2.83 goals against average and .906 save percentage while freshman Calla Frank is 4-3-1 on the season with a 2.82 goals against average and .908 save percentage.

A Look At The Bulldogs
Bemidji State and Minnesota Duluth may meet for the 99th meeting in the all-time series history with the Bulldogs holding a 74-20-4 advantage over the Beavers. Bemidji State earned a series sweep over the Bulldogs earlier this season when the two teams met Oct. 18-19 with UMD being ranked No. 8 in the nation.

Minnesota Duluth enters 2020 after going 8-8-2 during the first half of the season and are fifth in the WCHA standings with a 4-6-2-0 league record. UMD last played Dec. 6-7 and were swept by No. 1 University of Wisconsin by scores of 4-3 and 5-2 in Madison.

The Bulldogs are fourth in the league by averaging 2.72 goals per game while its defense is third by allowing opponents just 2.28 goals per game. UMD’s power play is sixth in the WCHA by converting at just a .109 percentage (6-of-55) while its penalty kill is third at .827 percent (41-of-47). Minnesota Duluth is led by sophomore Gabbie Hughes who is tied for seventh in the league by posting 25 points off of 10 goals and 15 assists. She is followed by senior Sydney Brodt who has 19 points off of nine goals and 10 assists while junior Ashton Bell has added 17 points off of six goals and 11 assists. In net, senior Maddie Rooney leads the team with a 7-8-2 record and has posted a 2.18 goals against average and .922 save percentage to rank third and second in the conference, respectively.