MINOT - Coming off a stellar season that saw the Beavers get within a goal of a national title, the Minot State women’s hockey team is preparing for another run at the championship by playing the best in the nation this coming season.
The Beavers have announced their 2023-24 schedule, a slate that with an early-season rematch of the ACHA Division I National Championship game as Minot State hosts Liberty (Va.) in the Beavers home debut at Maysa Arena on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 13-14. Puck drops at 3:45 p.m. both days.
The title-tilt rematch comes after the Beavers open the season on the road as Minot State plays an exhibition game each at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology on Sept. 22 and at the University of Regina on Sept. 23, then opens the season in earnest in Nebraska playing at Midland on Sept. 29 and 30.
“We are excited to share yet another strong strength of schedule for the upcoming season,” Minot State head coach Ryan Miner said. “We learned from last season that playing Top 10 opponents on a consistent basis best prepared us for making a run at the National Tournament. We hope that this will continue to build the student experience that we provide for our players as well as provide Minot State and the community with a similar experience!
“We open the season with a bang starting with an exhibition showcase up in Canada,” Miner added. “This will provide a first look of our team versus some great opponents and allow our Canadian families to attend. We hit the gate running with our regular-season opener versus Midland and home opener versus Liberty on October 13th. This will be the first time facing off at home against Liberty in the regular season.
“On top of that, we will see a few new faces in Lake Superior State, Lake Region, and Assiniboine. The ACHA Women’s Division 2 passed a bylaw allowing Division 2 teams competing against Division 1 teams to have those games go towards rankings so we will look forward to welcoming them.
“In addition, our conference will hold its first ever WMCH All-Star Game in January when all eight teams meet in St. Louis for a weekend showcase!”
Lake Superior State (Mich.) makes its Maysa Arena debut the weekend after the reigning ACHA Division I champion Flames visit as the Beavers host the 4th-year Lakers on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20-21. Puck drops at 3:45 p.m. both days.
The Beavers then play 10 straight against National Tournament qualifiers, starting with a busy week with games at Indiana Tech on Oct. 26-27 and then games at Adrian (Mich.) on Oct. 28-29.
Back home at the Maysa Arena for four in a row, Minot State hosts Maryville (Mo.) on Friday and Saturday, November 3-4, then Midland on Friday and Saturday, November 10-11. Puck drops at 3:45 p.m. for all four games.
The Beavers then hit the road to renew their in-state rivalry with Jamestown, playing the Jimmies on Nov. 18-19 before closing out the 2023 home slate hosting another in-state rival in Division 2 Dakota College of Bottineau on Saturday, December 2, at Maysa Arena at 3:45 p.m.
After playing on Dec. 3 at Bottineau, the Beavers play twice more at Jamestown, on Dec. 8-9, before taking a month off for Christmas and New Year’s.
Back in action after the winter break, Minot State will host Jamestown for the first time this season on Saturday and Sunday, January 13 and 14, with puck-drop Saturday at 3:45 p.m. and at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
The Beavers then continue their brief homestand by hosting Midland on Friday and Saturday, January 19-20, with puck drop both days at 7:30 p.m.
Minot State then heads East for the Women’s Midwest College Hockey (WMCH) All-Star Game, playing at Maryville on January 25, at McKendree (Ill.) on January 26, and at Lindenwood (Mo.) on January 27 prior to the All-Star Game, which is scheduled for Sunday, January 28.
February finds Minot State back at the Maysa Arena to close out the regular season as first-year Lake Region State College visits on Wednesday, February 7, for a 7:30 p.m. game, then Division 2 Assiniboine Community College – which has won 2 of the last 3 ACHA Division 2 National Titles – plays the Beavers on Saturday and Sunday, February 10 and 11. Puck drop is at 3:45 p.m. on Saturday and at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
The Beavers then finish the home slate and regular season hosting Jamestown on Friday and Saturday, February 16 and 17, with both games starting at 3:45 p.m.
Postseason play gets underway with Liberty hosting the WMCH Tournament on Feb. 22-24 in Lynchburg, Virginia, then the 2024 ACHA Division I Women’s National Tournament will be March 13-17 in St. Louis, Missouri.
“There is a lot to be excited for and from Day 1,” Coach Miner said. “We will have that same mind set we had last season of returning to the ACHA Championship game and getting the job done!”
