MINOT, N.D. – Back in the state of North Dakota, the three-time ACHA National Champion Minot State men's hockey team is inching ever closer to its home debut.

And Beaver fans are invited to be a big part of that home debut – this Friday, September 29 – at the Maysa Arena at 7:30 p.m. as Minot State hosts "Build the Dam" night with free admission for everyone!

This special event will also be a "Black-out" and fans are encouraged to pack Maysa Arena wearing black and cheering on their Beavers (2-0-0 overall) as they host Liberty University (1-2-0) in the first of two games for the weekend.

Prior to the contest, Minot State will have a special National Championship banner-raising ceremony.

The weekend continues with the Flames and Beavers hitting the ice once again Saturday night, again at 7:30 p.m.

But before Minot State can hoist its banner and "Black-out" the Maysa Arena, the Beavers have one more road contest to settle, Wednesday night at Jamestown at 7 p.m.

The Beavers and Jimmies met eight times last season with the Beavers sweeping the head-to-head meetings between the in-state foes.

The Beavers hold a commanding lead in the series, 47-15-4, with the last win by the Jimmies a 3-1 victory back on Dec. 10, 2021. That win did come at Maysa Arena, though, so Minot State no doubt will be ready for a tough battle with its North Dakota rivals.

Jamestown, which advanced to the ACHA national quarterfinals last season, comes in having played a pair of exhibitions against Briercrest earlier this month but will be making its official season debut when it hosts the Beavers on Wednesday.

As for Minot State, the reigning ACHA National Champions also tested their mettle against Briercrest with a 5-4 exhibition win, along with a 5-3 victory in preseason play at Regina before opening the season this past weekend sweeping a pair of games from Liberty – 4-2 and 5-3 – on the Flames home ice in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Offensive balance was a key for the Beavers over the opening weekend as Reid Arnold scored three goals, Jay Buchholz added two more goals, and Joey Moffatt, Troy Hamilton, Colby Joseph, and Josh Pederson also scored a goal each for Minot State.

In goal, junior Jake Anthony led the way with two wins and 45 saves over the two-game series.

A series that resumes in Minot as the Flames and Beavers pick up where they left off one week ago.

Jacob Kalandyk led the offense for Liberty in the teams' previous two games, scoring a goal in each contest, while Kevin Bite, Ryan Finch, and Truett Olson also scored for a Flames team outshot 102-50 in the opening series.

Hunter Virostek stayed busy in goal with 94 saves to keep the Flames in both contests.