WILKES-BARRE – This Saturday, the Wilkes University women's ice hockey team hosts their second consecutive Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Championship game, as they host the No. 2 seed Arcadia University Knights in a rematch of last year's championship at the Toyota SportsPlex. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

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Tickets - $11 Adults | $6 Seniors (65+) and Youth (7-17) | Free for MAC Students with an ID, children under 6 with an adult

Wilkes enters this contest after defeating No. 4-seed Alvernia University 5-0 in the MAC Semifinals. They currently rank 14^th in the latest USCHO.com Division III Poll.

The Colonels boast the second-best scoring offense in the nation averaging 4.96 goals per game and lead the MAC in assists per game (7.64) and points per game (12.6). The offense is led by Haylee Bouchard (Sioux Lookout, ON/) and Nina Hudakova (Košice, Slovakia/Hoosac Prep School), who both earned All-MAC First Team honors for their play this season. Bouchard, who was named MAC Player of the Year, leads the team and MAC with 51 points, including a new single-season program record in assists with 34 and counting. The Sioux Lookout, ON native currently ranks second in the nation in assists per game (1.36) and third in points per game (2.04).

Hudakova leads all Colonels with 22 goals, a new single-season program record, adding 24 helpers to put her second on the team with 46 points. The Slovakian international ranks fifth in Division III averaging 0.88 goals per game. Along with the dynamic duo of Bouchard and Hudakova, Wilkes has also seen significant offensive contributions from Jordan Ferry (Bohemia, NY) (25 points), Renee Ng (Hong Kong, China/Mount Academy) (25 points), Gianna Pacilio (Franklinville, NJ/) (21 points), and Megan Bell (Waterloo, ON/St. David Catholic) (19 points).

In defense, Wilkes is lead by the All-Conference duo of Hannah Franz (North Bay, ON/) and Tilly Wierdsma (New Hartford, CT), who were named to the All-MAC First Team and Honorable Mention respectively. Together, the two have combined for 51 blocked shots this season, and rank third and fourth in the MAC in plus/minus at +41 for Wierdsma and +33 for Franz. Between the pipes you will find All-MAC Second Team goaltender Audrey Milne (London, ON), who leads the conference in goals against average (1.24), save percentage (.944), and shutouts (7).

Arcadia enters this game after defeating No. 3 seed Lebanon Valley College in their semifinal.

The Knights rank just behind the Colonels in goals per game (4.00), assists per game (6.00), and points per game (10.00), and hold the MAC's best power play percentage (.260). They are led by All-MAC Second Team trio of Chloe Makinson (31 points), Ava Glab (27 points), and Phoebe Roberts (26 points). Makinson, a first-year, leads the conference with nine power play goals, while Glab matches Hudakova with two hat-tricks this season, the most in the conference.

The defense is led by All-MAC First Team selection Leah Hatcher, who leads the team with 36 blocked shots. Her senior leadership has helped the team to a goals allowed average of 1.77, the third best in the conference. In goal, Gabby Meger leads the team with a 9-5 record and a goals against average of 2.15 in 15 games played.

Wilkes won all three games of the regular season series between the two teams, with an aggregate score of 11-5. The Colonels won last season's championship game 2-1 with two third-period goals.