ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict hockey team continues the MIAC season Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2-3, when facing Gustavus Adolphus College in a conference weekend series. Saint Benedict plays the Gusties at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, in St. Peter, Minn., and at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, in St. Cloud, Minn.
 
About Gustavus
The Gusties are 4-3-1 this season, and 1-2-1 in the MIAC. They will be coming into this weekend off a win against UW-Eau Claire on Tuesday. Gustavus had an overall record of 9-11-5, and went 8-6-4 in the MIAC in 2015-16. Emily Gustafson and Kaitlyn Klein lead the team with three goals each, and Amanda DiNella leads the MIAC with a .960 save percentage.
 
Last Year
Saint Benedict tied then beat the Gusties last season on Dec. 4-5 in St. Cloud and St. Peter. The Blazers tied Friday's game 2-2 and won Saturday's game 3-2 in OT.  Brigette Miller scored on a power play with just over a minute left in regulation to tie the first game, and Natalie Roberts and Maddie Rainey both scored in the upset of the No. 9 Gusties.
 
Who to Watch
Senior forward Elli Marvin currently leads the MIAC with 7 goals and 11 points. She also leads the nation with 1.40 goals per game. Senior defender Hannah Esselman leads the MIAC with a +7 +/- rating, and Brigette Miller has four goals and four assists. Sophomore Julia Carle leads the team with 83 saves this season.
 
The Storyline
CSB enters this season looking to improve on its 5-10-3 MIAC finish from 2015-16, and missed out on the conference tournament. Saint Benedict was picked to finish eighth again this season in the MIAC preseason poll. The Blazers are coming off a 2-1 loss at Hamline on Nov. 19. After scoring 23 goals through five games, the Blazers look to keep scoring against a Gustavus team that they scored five goals against last year.
 
This starts a busy stretch for CSB, which travels to Eau Claire, Wis., to take on UW-Eau Claire Monday, then heads back to Wisconsin to take on Concordia (Wis.) Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9-10.