MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State women's hockey team will be quite busy for their first action on the ice in 2024. After giving the Midland Warriors a hard-fought effort, the Beavers will make way for their first extended road trip of the calendar year. For three straight days, they will have contests with Maryville, McKendree, and Lindenwood University. Following that stretch of games, Minot State will send six players to the inaugural WMCH All-Star game.

The Beavers (11-10-0) jumped to No. 7 in this week's rankings but have some crucial top five matchups coming their way. Up first in the three-game stretch will be No. 5 Maryville (15-12-0) where the Beavers drop the puck with the Saints at 8:15 p.m. (CT) on Thursday. Next in line are the 4^th-ranked McKendree Bearcats (12-6-1) in a Friday afternoon start at 2:30 p.m. (CT). The Beavers will wrap up team play on the weekend facing the No. 11 Lindenwood Lions (5-9-3) in a prime-time showdown at 8:50 p.m. (CT) on Saturday.

Minot State has been battle tested as of late after wrapping up last weekend versus Midland University, the number one team in the country. The Beavers tied with the Warriors 2-2, and eventually fell 3-2 in the shootout in their most recent match.

With three games on deck, it will be key for Minot State to stay fresh given the start times, especially facing two top-five opponents. There is lots of familiarity amongst all squads, given that they are conference rivals. Maryville and Lindenwood's previous games came against each other, one that saw the Saints pick up a 6-1 win on home ice and their 15^th victory of the season. Looking over at McKendree, they fell in a 5-2 decision to Arizona State as they hope to bounce back just like Lindenwood.

Glancing at the top scorers for each team, first for Maryville is Mady Johnsen with 27 points including 16 goals that also lead the Saints. For McKendree, Aria Groot paces the Bearcats with 29 points. A two-way tie for the top spot in goals is shared between Jayna Barnden and Abigail Jeffers, as they both sit with 10. And finally, for Lindenwood, taking the throne as top point getter is Ardyn Hawryshko. 30 points, including 10 goals, is also good for first in goals scored on the Lions.

Switching things over to the ones that stop the puck are the goaltenders for each group. The Saints go marching with Kaitlyn Cadrain as the number one option, featuring a .921 save percentage and 2.03 goals-against average. From the Bearcats is Rachel Staresinic who stands out with a 1.97 goals-against average and .924 save percentage in the most games played with 11 on McKendree. And then for Lindenwood, they are a team that gives up a lot of shots. Evi Allerding has been tested greatly in 10 games, showing for a 4.26 goals-against average and .903 save percentage.

Offensively for the Beavers, scoring continues to be distributed all throughout the roster. Sitting ahead in points is Paige Kozak with 12 in a nice debut season for the Freshman. After scoring once versus Midland, Krissy Rink took the lead in goals with 6. Right behind her is a three-way tie for five.

Haylie Biever returned for her first weekend of action since suffering an injury. She enters the week with a 2.44 goals-against average and .919 save percentage. However, given the situation of having three games in three days, it is possible we will see Morgan Baker in a stint to keep netminders rested and refreshed. She has been reliable thus far with a .934 save percentage and 1.48 goals-against average.

Minot State will meet McKendree and Lindenwood for the first time this season. As for Maryville, it is the Beavers third meeting with the Saints and first on the road. Minot won a 4-3 overtime thriller back on November 4, 2023, in their previous matchup. The Beavers possess an all-time winning record versus Maryville during MSU Athletics affiliation, taking five of seven total games. Minot State also has maintained control of most games in the past versus McKendree, who will square off for the first time since October 23, 2022. The Beavers completed a 3-0 shutout that day to improve their all-time win total to eight versus the Bearcats. And lastly when it comes to Lindenwood, Minot State carries a three-game winning streak over the Lions. The Beavers won a 4-1 contest less than a year ago on February 11, 2023. Even though Lindenwood claimed the first game, Minot has won every game as they hold a 3-1 record against the Lions since affiliation started with MSU Athletics.

In addition to the three games versus Maryville, McKendree, and Lindenwood, Minot State women's hockey will be sending six players to the first-of-its-kind WMCH All-Star game. That is set to take place on January 28 at noon in Chesterfield, Missouri at the home ice of Maryville University. Forwards Krissy Rink, Makena Welby, and Paige Kozak will join defensemen Anna German and Paige Ackerman, along with goaltender Haylie Biever as the representatives from Minot State.

The Beavers are on their way to competing in a busy week of road games, including the first ever WMCH All-Star festival. Once all is said and done for the weekend, Minot State will return to North Dakota for a rescheduled game with the University of Jamestown on January 31.