LINK TO ACHA TOP 25 MEN'S HOCKEY POLL
MINOT, ND — No. 2 Minot State is on fire after winning their last nine games in a row as they head into their weekend competition in Virginia against the No. 3 Liberty University Flames. The Beavers remain at the top of the poll rankings, coming in at No. 2 in the ACHA Division I for the seventh week in a row with a record of 24-2-0-0.
Minot State remains undefeated in their last six years of matchups against the Flames, ever since LU ended the MSU's 18-game win streak in the 2014-2015 season. Both teams have been looking forward to this weekend in Lynchburg since Minot State's sweep-style victories over the Flames this past October. MSU looks to grab two more wins on the road against their toughest competition this season while LU seeks to break the six-year losing streak to the Beavers.
The first time these two top-ranked teams met up this season, the Beavers took the reins on the night, scoring early and keeping the lead to put them on top of Liberty 6-4. It wasn't until the final period of play where the Flames earned their last two goals on a power play due to MSU penalties called, allowing them to improve their score on the night from two to four in the final period of play.
Following their first victory of the two-night October series the Flames kept their scoring torch lit as they took the lead early on in the first period. MSU responded in the second period with a scoring ambush, scoring three goals in seven minutes and adding a fourth at the very end.
Jake Bestul added the cherry on top to seal the deal in the No. 2 Beavers' sweep over the No. 3 Liberty flames, with a final score of 5-2.
Leading the Beavers' offense having surpassed double-digit scoring are
Davis Sheldon who has 15 goals with 11 assists,
Carter Barley with 14 goals and 18 assists, and
Jared Hamm who's tacked on 14 goals this season with 11 assists.
Drew Carter and
Reece Henry are also key to MSU's ongoing success, having contributed a combined 16 goals for Minot State this season along with a combined 24 assists on the year.
Jake Anthony is the only goalie the Flames have faced so far this season and he remains undefeated against the LU offense this season, having earned two wins from both games. Anthony has saved over 94% of all shots his way in 780 minutes of play in the last 26 games this year. Rookie
Riley Wallace has also seen great success in between the pipes for the Beavers as the only undefeated goalie on the roster with over 700 minutes of play. Saving 93% of all pucks flying his way has earned him the No. 10 spot in the nation for best goalies in the ACHA Division I, with
Jake Anthony just three spots ahead, earning No. 7 goalie in the nation.
Getting ahead and staying ahead will have to be MSU's main focus as they step into this No. 2 MSU v No. 3 LU weekend series in the heart of the Flames' hostile home crowd. The top-ranked matchup will be broadcasted on ESPN+ and the Liberty Flames Sports Network. Puck drops at 8p.m.
