MINOT, N.D. - The Beavers play their last home games of the season this weekend against the Lions of Lindenwood.
The games also mark the first of a final two series before the WMCH and ACHA tournaments in for Minot State.
The Lions, under the leadership of head coach Andrew Miller, have lost their last six games and have a overall record of 5-13-1.
The Beavers, who jumped to No. 2 in this week's ACHA poll, on the other hand have won four of their last six games including an upset of No. 1-ranked Liberty University, 4-3, in the finale of a 3-game series hosted by the Flames.
Minot State also completed a season sweep of the Jamestown Jimmies with 6-2 and 6-1 wins last weekend.
Coaches comments:
"This weekend will be full of mixed emotions as our seniors will be completing their degrees in May but we will have to say our farewell on the ice in the coming months," Minot State coach Ryan Miner said. "Of these seven seniors, Ensley, Ali, Denali, and Jordan Ivanco have been through it all with Sydney and Megan coming a year after, and adding Jordan Kulbida this season. From their first day at Minot State 'til their last, they have been part of the foundation that has laid the ground work for our program. Seeing their growth as student-athletes on and off the ice has been an honor to witness and they will be dearly missed come May.
"This weekend we get to celebrate them and everything they have given to this program but our journey is far from over as they will join their teammates as we make a push for a National Championship in March!"
The women's team will also honor seven seniors who will be playing their final home games this weekend:
- Ensley Fendelet, from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, who brought vigor to the Minot State women's hockey team, with 5 game-winning goals and 59 career points for the Beavers, with 28 goals and 31 assists
- Megan Norris, native of Innisfil, Ontario, with a total of 77 points with 45 goals and 32 assists, 5 game-winning goals, and 2 career hat tricks at Minot State University
- Sydney Spicer, from Calgary, Alberta, who kept the Beavers flying high with a total of 21 career goals and 20 assists at Minot State, alongside 5 game-winning goals
- Alisha O'Hara, a native of Chater, Manitoba, strong offensive player who also added 30 career goals, 26 assists, and 5 game-winning goals
- Jordan Kulbida, from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, who is majoring in Criminal Justice and in one season has contributed 16 goals, 12 assists, and 3 game-winning goals to the women's team
- Denali Sigurdson, a native of Riverton, Manitoba, a radiologic technology major and a standout defender with 2 game-winning goals and 35 points with 8 goals and 27 assists
- Jordan Ivanco, an unrelenting goalie from Warman, Saskatchewan, who is the career shutout leader at Minot State with 17, and who has is No. 2 in goals against average all-time (1.61), and in save percentage (93.3)
Puck drops at 3:45 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday at the Maysa Arena.
