As next weekend’s series against No. 1 Wisconsin approaches, the Minnesota women’s hockey team could possibly go into Madison as ready as it will ever be.

The Gophers beat Maine and took No. 2 New Hampshire to overtime last weekend at the Easton Shootout and will get a final tune-up this weekend as they open Western Collegiate Hockey Association play this weekend.

Minnesota kicks off a two-game series against Minnesota State Friday at 6:07 p.m. with Saturday’s game starting at 3:07 p.m. Both games will be at Ridder Arena.

The unranked Mavericks (1-2-0 overall) will limp into Minneapolis after losing two big games against Minnesota-Duluth last weekend.

But Minnesota State’s record isn’t relaxing to coach Laura Halldorson.

“I know they have some real strong forwards,” Halldorson said. “Lindsay Macy is going to be someone we will have to reckon with.”

Macy was forced to sit out of last season after transferring to Minnesota State from Wisconsin.

This year, the junior is leading the Mavericks in points (four in just three games) and penalties (four for eight minutes).

“(Minnesota State) Mankato is always a tough team,” senior forward Becky Wacker said. “They play gritty and they like to take it to us physically.”

A tough Mavericks team with a powerful offense doesn’t match up well for the Gophers’ weary defense.

“Any WCHA game is important because of rankings,” junior defenseman Anya Miller said. “We’re getting excited, getting pumped up – we want to be playing our best.”

Minnesota’s defense will need to improve its play after allowing six goals in an overtime loss last week against New Hampshire.

“My main priority is to not get scored on,” Miller said. “After that, everything is a positive.”

Minnesota goalie Brittony Chartier has a .724 save percentage, allowing eight goals in two games this season.

On the other hand, the Gophers’ offense should match up evenly with a Mavericks defense that has allowed nine goals in three games. Minnesota State goaltender Britni Kehler owns a .910 save percentage, stopping 91 of 100 shots on goal.

Offensively, Minnesota has pressured opposing teams this season, outshooting them 91 to 29 and averaging five goals a game.

Last year, the two teams faced off four times in the regular season, with Minnesota winning three games and the fourth game ending as a tie.

Despite last year’s subpar regular season record, Minnesota State gave Minnesota all it could handle on multiple occasions.

The Mavericks took the Gophers to overtime three times and lost the fourth game by a goal. Minnesota State managed to skate with Minnesota, even though the Mavericks were plagued by injuries throughout much of last season.

Minnesota State’s play against the Gophers the first round of the WCHA playoffs last season didn’t leave the Mavericks with a good taste in their mouths.

In two games, the Gophers outscored and outskated Minnesota State, taking both games by a combined score of 11-1.

“(Minnesota State) always gives us a challenge,” Miller said. “We’ve always had good games against them.”

Wacker said Minnesota can’t overlook a good team like the Mavericks and the Gophers need to learn from their early games and this weekend’s series before heading to Wisconsin for a Midwest showdown.

“We need to play well this weekend to gain some momentum for Wisconsin next week,” she said.