MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State men's hockey team looks to keep it rolling in the new year as they get their first extended period on the road. They will be on their way to Fremont, NE to face off with Midland University in a weekend clash with the Warriors.
The No. 1 Beavers (20-4-0) square off with the Midland Warriors (9-13-1) at Sidner Ice Arena on Friday and Saturday. Puck drop for both nights is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. (CT).
Minot State has been stout as of late, opening the 2024 chunk of the season with three wins in their last three games. Furthermore, they have only given up four goals in those three games, including back-to-back shutouts. Their previous game was a 3-0 decision over in-state rival University of Mary.
Midland is on the struggle bus, as their end of 2023 and start of 2024 have not been kind. They sit amid a four-game slide, and things do not get any easier when they welcome the No. 1 ranked team in the country. Their last game was a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Iowa State on home ice.
Two players have been a bright spot for the Warriors this season. Tommy Wardas has taken charge as the team's leading point getter, as he sits with 21. Milan Breczko has filled the net many times this season as he leads Midland with 11 goals. Be on the lookout for those players to watch this weekend.
The number one netminder for Midland is Liam Tereposky, with over 1,100 minutes played this season. He comes in with a 3.54 goals-against average and .905 save percentage.
There has been some movement in top-end scoring for the Beavers. Captain
Carter Barley has moved back into a tie for the first spot in points with
Christian Kadolph. Both are sitting at 30 points each heading into the series.
Reid Arnold continues to play the role of goal scorer, as he paces the team with 14 of them at the halfway mark of January.
Riley Wallace has the hot hand in net for the Beavers right now. Even with the stingy defense in front of him, he was the catalyst for those back-to-back shutouts and improved his numbers to a 1.34 goals-against average and .927 save percentage.
Jake Anthony is another effective option for the Beavers. A .912 save percentage and 2.26 goals-against average for him proves the team's sturdiness at the goaltender spot.
The Beavers have had a dominant swing of games on Midland since starting affiliation with Minot State Athletics. They have won all 10 games versus the Warriors when the streak started back on November 12, 2021. Last time these two teams met were in the Magic City when Minot State handed the Warriors a 7-1 defeat just over a month ago on December 8.
Minot State is on the road to travel south as they make their way to Nebraska. After they wrap up another weekend string with Midland, the team will be back to re-match with the University of Mary Marauders once again. Their busy week will continue January 24 in Mandan for another midweek contest.
