SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Lake Superior State (LSSU) hockey team (8-7-1, 6-2-0 CCHA) is set to take on the Minnesota State Mavericks (12-4-2, 7-1-2 CCHA) on the road for a weekend series between the top two teams in the league standings by points percentage. 

Stories to watch:

• The Mavericks hold a 32-5-2 edge in the all-time series between the two programs, but both teams put together four highly-competitive games last season. In the two games played in Mankato back in February, both teams split the weekend with each earning a 4-3 victory.  The Lakers came out on top in the opening contest, but the Mavericks came back from down 3-2 in the third period the following night, scoring the game-winner in the final minute of regulation. 
• The two programs meet in what will be a battle between the top two teams in the league standings by points percentage with Minnesota State sitting in first place (.767) and LSSU right behind them (.750).
• The Lakers are coming off of a series split against Bemidji State in which Sasha Teleguine (North Attleborough, Mass.) scored four goals, including a hat trick in game-two via a power play goal, a shorthanded goal, and an even-strength game-winning goal. Teleguine was named the CCHA Forward of the Week as a result of his performance. 
• The Mavericks are currently riding a 9-game unbeaten streak (7-0-2), including most recently sweeping Bowling Green with a Rhett Pitlick game-winner in overtime. 
• Pitlick, a transfer from Minnesota, enters the weekend leading the mavericks in points (16), goals (7), and assists (9).
• Connor Milburn (Kamloops, B.C.) and Pitlick enter the weekend as two of the top-three point producers in the league, and both teams will be looking to keep a close eye on the other's star. 
• This weekend will also mark a battle between the league's top offense in LSSU (3.13 goals per game) against the league's top defense in Minnesota State (1.50 goals allowed per game), led by goaltender Alex Tracy with a GAA of 1.38 and a save percentage of .945 which are both the top marks in the CCHA. Meanwhile, the Lakers' rookie goaltender Rorke Applebee (Chateauguay, Que.) has been having himself a strong season as well, especially in league play with a 2.26 GAA and a save percentage of .931 against CCHA opponents.
• C. Milburn enters the weekend leading the team in points with 15 while Teleguine (12), Timo Bakos (Augsburg, Germany) (12), and Dawson Tritt (Spokane, Wash.) (10) have also notched double-digit points so far this season.
• Teleguine leads the CCHA in goal scoring with 8 after a 4-goal weekend against Bemidji State. 
• Nate Schweitzer (Champlin, Minn.) enters the weekend leading the team in assists with 12 which ranks second in the CCHA. 
• 21 different Lakers have recorded at least one point so far this season while 14 Lakers have scored at least one goal.
• Since the start of the 2018-19 season, the Lakers have combined for a 64-16-4 record when scoring the game's first goal.
• Defense has proven vital for the Lakers who are 18-2-1 since the start of the 2023-24 season when allowing two goals or fewer.
• The Lakers are 8-0-1 when leading after the opening period and 8-0-0 when ahead during the second intermission.