LYNCHBURG, VA. – Just when they thought they had enough of each other, the latest ACHA rankings made sure of a guaranteed postseason matchup. That is, the Minot State women's hockey team after wrapping up an eight-game regular season series with the Jamestown Jimmies, they are set to meet again in Lynchburg, VA for a quarterfinal matchup in the WMCH Conference Tournament.

After a long grueling series during the 2023-24 season between both teams, the No. 4 Beavers (20-10-1) will duel with 11^th-ranked Jamestown (13-16-0) once again this time in the postseason ranks. Puck drop is set for 2:30 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, which will be the second game taking place in the quarterfinal round of the bracket. The Beavers are the 3-seed, while Jamestown is the 6-seed heading into Tournament play.

Minot State is in a perfect spot to be entering postseason play, and that is a long nine-game winning streak where the team is feeling good heading into higher stakes matchups. The seeding outcome created quite the draw for the Beavers, as they face Jamestown just after sweeping them last weekend on home ice. The Beavers 3-1 win on Senior Day was the most recent result between these two squads.

Jamestown is limping their way into the playoffs following a five-game losing streak to end the season, but those losses were against two top-five teams in the rankings with one of them being Minot State. Their last win came against the University of Minnesota on February 3 in a 3-2 effort.

For a player to watch on the Jimmies, the leading goal scorer and point getter is still Crystal Wale. She potted her 11^th of the season versus Minot State last time out, with hopes to keep it rolling.

In net, it was Makenzie Gibson who got a run last weekend versus Minot State. She enters the postseason with a 2.23 goals-against average and .933 save percentage and likely the number one option heading into the matchup.

Looking at the Beavers offensively, their scoring has come from the back end. There is a tie at the top in points at 16 shared between defensemen Paige Ackerman and Aspen Cooper. While the defensive unit plays a key role in the offensive game plan, the goal scoring lead is possessed by forward Krissy Rink. Her eight goals pace the Beavers in that department.

Even while Morgan Baker picked up a start last weekend, the Beavers will embrace Haylie Biever to get the postseason load as the number one option. She carries a 1.97 goals-against average and .930 save percentage, all while able to even her record at .500 towards the end of the season.

Eight games were not enough, the Beavers and Jimmies needed a meeting in the playoffs. Thursday will be their ninth matchup in totality for the 2023-24 season, and their second time in the WMCH Conference Tournament. Minot State won 5-2 on February 23, 2023 during last year's conference quarterfinals. The Beavers have managed 17 wins in the all-time series, both regular season and postseason combined.

The Minot State women's hockey team is ready to begin their playoff push, with intentions of getting back to the ACHA National Championship. With the Beavers and Jimmies seeded in the 3-6 matchup, the winner will face either 2-seed Midland or 7-seed Minnesota. The Warriors and Gophers drop the puck right after Minot and Jamestown at 5:30 p.m. Other matchups include Maryville and McKendree as the 4 versus 5 seed, they play at 11:30 a.m. and 1^st-seeded Liberty draws with 8-seed Lindenwood at 8:30 p.m. (all times eastern).