MINOT, N.D. – They got the tune-ups out of the way last weekend, not it's time to hit the ice for real for the Minot State women's hockey team.

Fresh off a season that saw the Beavers advance to the ACHA national semifinal game for the second straight year, opening day couldn't come soon enough for a Minot State team that returners 18 players, including its two top goalies, ACHA All-American forward Ensley Fendelet, and National All-Tournament Team selection Megan Norris.

"It's been a long time coming," Minot State head coach Ryan Miner said. "Obviously, the summer months go by quick but at the same time you're ready to jump back right into the season; we've been on the ice since September 1st so it was a lot of practicing and a lot of preparation.

"I think there's a lot of anticipation around how we're going to come out but were excited and ready to get going."

The season opens with the Maryville Saints from Missouri in town Friday and Saturday, with puck drop at 3:45 p.m. each day at the Maysa Arena. The Saints started their season last month and roll into Minot with a 2-0-1 overall record already.

"They're a fairly skilled team, very physical, obviously a work-hard team, a crash and bang team," Minot said, adding, "they like to work the puck below the goal-line.
"Obviously, structure, systems, and our positioning are going to be a key thing this weekend."

Not that Minot State is heading into the weekend untested as the Beavers played a pair of home exhibition games against Northern Alberta Institute of Technology last weekend to shift the team from practice mode into game form, though Coach Miner admits, it took about a full game for Minot State to find its rhythm.

Now ready, the Beavers will look to a slew of talented returners to lead the way, starting in goal with senior Jordan Ivanco (15-4-0, 7 shutouts, 1.30 GAA) and junior Haylie Biever (9-2-1, 4 shutouts, 1.19 GAA) leading a group of four goalies, all of whom Miner feels will have success this season.

"We've always been lucky to have some of the best goalies in the league," he said, adding, "we're in a goalie situation where no matter who is playing in the game, full confidence knowing they can win for us."

The Beavers goalie get lots of help, of course, starting with a defense that'll be anchored by returning juniors Anna German (2 goals, 7 assists) and Aspen Cooper (5 goals, 9 assists), and gets a boost from fifth-year senior Jordan Kulbida, and transfer from the University of Regina with 103 games of collegiate hockey experience under her belt.

While they help anchor the defense, offensively the Beavers return Norris, a senior who led the team with 16 goals and 17 assists, and senior All-American Fendelet (13 goals, 16 assists).

"Those are two players who work hard but also can put the puck in the back of the net," Miner said.

They'll lead the way for a deep, talented group of returning forwards who will also see an immediate impact from freshman Cameron Schmidt from Bismarck, N.D., who had a solid debut in last weekend's exhibitions.

"She showed she is a workhorse," Miner said.

All of the Beavers on-ice talent will be on display this weekend at the season and home openers for Minot State, which will have a busy fall at the Maysa Arena as the team works to return to the ACHA National Tournament in March in Boston, Massachusetts, and looks to take the next step beyond the semifinals.