Fresh off clinching the MacNaughon Cup and its first Western Collegiate Hockey Association regular-season title, the Bemidji State University men’s ice hockey team (19-12-3; 19-5-2-2- WCHA) returns to the Sanford Center to host Minnesota State University, Mankato (18-10-4; 14-8-4-2 WCHA) to wrap up the regular-season slate. The Beavers will also celebrate their senior class Saturday as Nate Arentz, Brendan Harms, Phil Marinaccio, Reid Mimmack, Charlie O’Connor, Carter Struthers and Jesse Wilkins will each suit up for their final home regular-season contest.

Minnesota State comes into the weekend as one of the hottest teams in the WCHA. With a 4-1-1 record in their last six games, the Mavericks have won their last three games, netting at least five goals in each. The league’s top scoring offense, at 3.31 goals per game, is led by freshman Marc Michaelis, who has 34 points (13g-21a) and a team-best 21 helpers. Junior Brad McClure leads MSU with 14 goals, while four of fellow junior C.J. Franklin’s 12 goals have stood as game-winners. All three MSU goaltenders have seen significant time this season, but Aaron Nelson has backstopped the Mavericks to their current three-game wining streak. He is 6-2-1 on the season with a 2.53 GAA and a .898 save percentage. Senior Cole Huggins leads the team with an 8-5-1 record to go with a 2.31 GAA and a .901 save percentage.