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This Week: The Saint Benedict hockey team returns to MIAC play after a six week break through the holidays. This weekend the Blazers travel to Concordia for two games, dropping the puck at 7 p.m., Jan. 17 and at 2 p.m., Jan. 18. The Blazers enter with a 4-9-0 overall record and 1-5-0 mark in MIAC play, while the Cobbers counter with a 2-8-3 overall record and 1-4-1 tally in conference action.
 
About the Cobbers: In a disappointing start after going 11-4-3 last season, Concordia has won just once since Dec. 1. Led by rookie head coach Sarah Erickson, their lone MIAC win came 1-0 over Bethel, while, most recently they scored a 2-1 win over Concordia Wisconsin on Jan. 9. Their scoring offense ranks last in the MIAC at 0.77 goals per game, and they are the only team in the conference averaging less than a goal a game. Five times on the season, they have been shutout, while being held to a single goal five other times. Last weekend, they were swept at home by then No. 8 UW-River Falls, falling 3-0 and 2-1.
 
Last meeting: Last year, the Cobbers swept the Blazers in St. Cloud, winning 4-0 on Friday night, and 3-1 on Saturday. The Cobbers scored in each period en route to their 4-0 win, outshooting the Blazers 36-to-18 on the night. A day later, the Blazers were trailing 2-0 in the third, before scoring to pull within one. It wasn't enough, though, as the Cobbers added a third for insurance for the 3-1 win and the sweep.
 
The Storyline: Can the Blazers carry their strong play from nonconference action into their series with the Cobbers? The Blazers had a good run through their middle-of-the-season nonconference stretch, sweeping Stevenson, scoring six in a won over Concordia Wisconsin, and battling UW-Superior within a goal of a win. Now the task will be carrying that play into conference action, where the Blazers need to rack up wins quickly in hope of getting back into contention for a MIAC tournament berth.
 
Who to Watch: Stephanie Kirk ranks fourth in the MIAC in goals with eight, and her 10 total points rank 12th in the nation for rookies. Christine Brodersen is close behind with eight points (4G/4A), a mark that ranks her 23rd in the country among defenseman. Elli Marvin is third on the team in scoring with two goals and five assists for seven points, ranking 41st in the country among rookies.
 
Last Time Out: Last Saturday, the Blazers battled then No. 9 ranked UW-Superior to a 1-0 loss. The Yellowjackets scored just once in the first period, but it proved to be the difference. The highlight of the night was sophomore goaltender Dory Johnson, who stopped 27 shots in just her second start of the season, holding the Yellowjackets to their lowest scoring output of the season.