Insider: Huskies helping to grow the game

For a rapidly growing sport like girls' hockey, providing young players with positive role models to look up to is imperative for keeping them involved in the sport, which is a responsibility the St. Cloud State women's team gladly embraces.

During their bye week, the Huskies participated in the the sixth annual International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Girls' Ice Hockey Weekend, Oct. 8-9, which celebrates the strides girls' hockey has made both in participation and player development. It also offers new families an opportunity to try hockey in a fun and safe environment.

"They were loving it," senior defenseman Caroline Markstrom said. "They would try to get the puck and be falling over as we were dangling around them."
"It's a big deal for them, but it is also fun for us."

SCSU players skated alongside new players in the Sartell and River Lakes youth associations—the impact of which was not lost on them.

"We're role models for them," redshirt freshman forward Dana Rasmussen said. "By being involved, we're setting a great example."

"They were having a great time," she added. "There is nothing better than seeing a little kid smile."

Girls' hockey is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and Markstrom said opportunities to get to know youth players in the community, and be on the ice with them, are imperative to its continued development.

"They need to see where we are to keep their motivation up and want to reach the same point," Markstrom said. "I hope they keep playing hockey and keep wanting to get to where we are right now."

Assistant coach Jinelle Siergiej leads St. Cloud State's community initiatives and said getting involved with the IIHF's girls weekend was a no-brainer.

"I wanted to get our hands into the community more this year," she said. "It's important for our girls to see the impact they can have for youth hockey players."

Twenty four communities in Minnesota and over 40 countries took part in the IIHF's girls' weekend. The memories it created, especially in Central Minnesota, will hopefully inspire the sport's next generation of super stars to take the first steps of their careers.

UP NEXT: St. Cloud State (2-4-0, 1-3-0 WCHA) at Minnesota State (2-4-0, 0-4-0)—Friday, October 21, 7:07 p.m.; Saturday, October 22, 3:07 p.m.

SCOUTING THE MAVERICKS: After winning its first two games of the season against RIT, Minnesota State has lost its last four games—all against WCHA foes. The Mavericks have been out-scored, 19-4, through their first two weekends of WCHA play. Minnesota State was swept, 6-0 and 4-3, at North Dakota in its most recent outings. Sophomore defender Megan Hinze scored twice in the series. Junior blue liner Anna Keys leads the team with three points (0 3) in six games.

In 2015-16, Minnesota State's first under head coach John Harrington, it finished with a 3-29-4 record and a 0-25-3 mark in WCHA play. The Mavericks were swept by No. 1-seeded Wisconsin in the first round of the WCHA playoffs. St. Cloud State was unbeaten (3-0-1) against MSU last season, taking 11 of a possible 12 points.

LAST MEETING (Jan. 8-9, 2016): St. Cloud State took five of a possible six points against the Mavericks in Mankato, beating MSU, 4-3, in overtime before closing out the series with a 1-1 tie. The Huskies prevailed in the shootout, 2-1, to earn the extra point in the WCHA standings. Forward Molly Illikainen scored the OT-winner in the series opener. Five different SCSU players scored in the series, including returning forwards Alyssa Erickson and Hannah Potrykus.

KEY NOTES TO CONSIDER:

St. Cloud State is 34-30-9 (.527) all-time against Minnesota State—its best mark against a WCHA rival. SCSU is unbeaten in seven of its last eight games against the Mavericks (5-1-2).
Sophomore forward Julia Tylke has six points (3 3) in four career games against Minnesota State—which led all Huskies against MSU last season.
After playing its first six games within the friendly confines of the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, SCSU will be on the road for its next four games and six of its next eight contests starting with this weekend in Mankato.
SWISS SENSATION: Through three games this season, freshman goaltender Janine Alder has shown poise beyond her years. The Zurich, Switzerland native boasts a .962 save percentage and 1.15 goals-against average through three games played, the former of which ranks second, nationally. Alder was named the WCHA's Rookie of the Week for Oct. 7-8 after stopping 51 of 52 shots (.982 SV%) in two games against North Dakota.
SILKY TYLKE: Sophomore forward Julia Tylke has accounted for five of SCSU's 10 goals SCSU this season. The Delafield, Wis., native has five goals in her last five games and is tied for sixth, nationally, and tied for second among WCHA players in goal scoring. Tylke, a 2015-16 All-WCHA Rookie Team honoree, is St. Cloud State's top returning scorer, having registered nine goals and 24 points a season ago—the most for an SCSU rookie since the 2006-07 season, when Holly Roberts and Caitlin Hogan scored 35 (18 17) and 29 (12 17) points, respectively.
HOCKEY DAY MINNESOTA: The WCHA and Fox Sports North announced on Oct. 13 that St. Cloud State and Minnesota State's game on January 21 will be feautred on Hockey Day Minnesota. The game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports North Plus from the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center beginning at 3 p.m. This is the first time in Hockey Day Minnesota's 10-year history that an NCAA women's game will be broadcast as part of the festivities. The league also announced its first-ever extended women's hockey television package in partnership with FSN. The Huskies will have a league-high six of its 2016-17 contests broadcast live on the network.
OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN: Senior forward Lauren Hespenheide has four points (0 4) in six games this seson. The Huskies' captain had a career day against Merrimack on Sept. 29, tallying three assists and has already equaled her career high in assists (four).