MINOT, N.D. – A mid-week clash is in store for the Minot State men's hockey team as they get set to take on the Midland Warriors in the Magic City. It is the first of four meetings between both teams this season, with the first two taking place at Maysa Arena.

The 2^nd-ranked Beavers (14-4-0) will continue their home stand when they welcome Midland University (9-10-1 overall) for a pair of games. Puck drop is different for each night, with Thursday starting at 7:00 p.m. and Friday a 7:30 p.m. slate.

Minot State looks to defend home ice once again coming off a sweep of the Grand Canyon Antelopes last weekend. After a 6-0 shutout victory, the Beavers hope that it is the start to another long winning streak.

Midland will travel to Minot after splitting their previous series with the other Warriors from Waldorf, a team that the Beavers handled convincingly earlier this season. After a 2-1 loss to Waldorf, Midland looks to have a bounce-back effort themselves.

Some players to look out for from Midland include forwards Tommy Wardas and Milan Breczko. Wardas paces the Warriors in points with 20 in a point-per-game effort, while Breczko plays the goal-scoring role having 10 in only 12 games of action.

The leader in net for Midland is Liam Tereposky. With 16 games of work, he carries a 3.07 goals-against average and .914 save percentage and three shutouts.

Scoring is no problem for the Beavers, as they have three point-per-game players, including a defenseman. The captain Carter Barley maintains the top spot with 22 points in 18 games. Christian Kadolph has taken command of the back end, as he continues his breakout season with an impressive 20 points also in 18 games of action. Reid Arnold takes charge as the leader in goals, with 10 of them for Minot State.

Goaltending is very stable for the Beavers. Jake Anthony is 8-3-0 through 11 games with a 2.35 goals-against average and .909 save percentage, including a shutout. Riley Wallace in the backup spot has also been money for Minot State. He is 5-1-0 in six games with a 1.67 goals-against average and .912 save percentage along with a shutout to boot. In the Beavers' last series against the Warriors, both guys each got a start. Given past success against Midland and previous trends, it is possible that coach Waselenchuk will give both guys reps again.

The Beavers and Warriors will meet for the first time this season and third time in the year of 2023. In the all-time matchup history, Minot State has taken all eight games versus the Midland Warriors dating back to November 12, 2021. Their most recent win against the Warriors was in Fremont, Nebraska with a 3-2 overtime win back on January 7 this past year.

Minot State will host Midland University at Maysa Arena to continue the five-game home stand. Following the series against the Warriors, the Beavers welcome University of Mary shortly after for another mid-week matchup between the in-state rivals.