MINOT, N.D. – The two-time ACHA National Champion Minot State men’s hockey team is ready to hit the ice for a run at a third Murdoch Cup as the season begins next weekend for the Beavers.
Minot State announced its 2022-23 schedule, which begins with the Beavers hosting Briercrest College from Saskatchewan on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 16 and 17 at the Maysa Arena on the Pepsi Rink.
“We are incredibly excited to announce our 2022-2023 schedule,” second-year head coach Wyatt Waselenchuk said. “We appreciate the patience of all of our supporters."
“We are very home-heavy in the first half of the season, as our fans will notice, however, we look forward to bringing some top-level ACHA Division I competition to the Magic City,” Minot State’s coach added. “Our game-night staff is working feverishly to provide an even greater in-game experience, and we can’t wait to hear the roar of the Maysa come opening night.”
After opening the season against the Clippers, the Beavers take on Jamestown in a home-and-home series on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, with Minot State hosting the Jimmies at Maysa Arena on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 7:30 p.m.
Minot State then hosts Liberty University in an annual meeting between two of the nation’s very best programs, with the Flames visiting on Oct. 7 and 8.
And one week later, Midland hits the Maysa Arena ice for games against the Beavers on Oct. 14 and 15 before another home-and-home series with Jamestown starting on the road on Oct. 28, then back at Maysa Arena Oct. 29.
The Beavers then play a home-and-home weekend with Williston State, starting on the road Friday, Nov. 11, then hosting the Tetons on Nov. 12.
The Beavers continue a five-game homestand hosting the University of Oregon on Nov. 17, 18, and 19, then wrap up the home stretch hosting the University of Mary in the start of a home-and-home series with the Marauders on Dec. 2. The Beavers then play at UMary on Dec. 3.
The 2022 calendar year wraps up with two more home contests for Minot State, which hosts Central Oklahoma on Dec. 9 and 10 before taking time off for the Christmas and New Year’s break.
“Our team has returned 21 players from last season’s roster, including five fifth-year seniors,” Waselenchuk said, looking at this year’s team. “We have brought in five top-notch freshmen to bolster our lineup. Clearly, the way things ended last season will be our driving factor in once again pursuing Beaver hockey’s third Murdoch Cup.”
Minot State returns to the ice in 2023 with a pair of games in Nebraska at Midland on Jan. 6 and 7, then after hosting Colorado State on a Monday, Jan. 9, the Beavers head to Oklahoma for the Central Oklahoma Showcase, playing Illinois State on Jan. 13, the host Broncos on Jan. 14, then the Oklahoma Sooners on Jan. 15.
The Beavers wrap up an extended road trip playing at Jamestown on Jan. 20, then are back on the Maysa Area ice to host UMary on Jan. 21, then Dakota College at Bottineau on Jan. 22. Minot State wraps up the brief homestand hosting Waldorf on Jan. 26.
Minot State then hits the road for games at Ohio on Feb. 3 and 4, then at Bottineau on Feb. 14, and at UMary on Feb. 18.
A quick game at home on Feb. 19 against Jamestown breaks up a seven-game road stretch that continues with back-to-back games at Liberty in Virginia on Feb. 24 and 25, then concludes on March 8 at Jamestown.
Minot State then closes the regular season at home hosting Jamestown on March 9, then heads to the ACHA National Tournament in Massachusetts, March 16-23.
“The Maysa Arena has become a premier facility in the state and therefore is as busy as ever,” Waselenchuk said of his team’s schedule.
“Between the Minotauros, Minot State women’s hockey, our high school teams - the always-growing Minot Hockey Boosters, and the Magic City Figure Skating Club - it gets tougher and tougher every year to host home events,” he added. “We are so fortunate to call the Pepsi Rink our home, and can’t thank all of the staff and other programs enough for working with us and providing us with these 20 home dates.”
“We look forward to seeing you all out for our season opener, and all season long!”
