ST. LOUIS, Mo. – A long season of hard work that began back in September now comes down to this week, this moment.

The Minot State women's hockey team hits the ice for what they hope will be four more wins as they begin their chase for the ACHA Division I National Championship on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. against a familiar foe in the University of Colorado at the Centene Community Ice Center.

"It has been a good rest to get a couple weeks off but I think at this point the players are ready to play some games," head coach Ryan Miner said as the Beavers last played in the WMCH Tournament back on February 26.

"This is what we prepare for all season so we are excited to showcase the work we have put in thus far on the biggest stage."

The chase for the national title begins with a foe in the Buffaloes (14-12-1), champions of the Western Women's Collegiate Hockey League who Minot State (24-6-1) has played, and beaten, four times already this season.

But the Beavers aren't taking anything for granted, especially not the Buffaloes.

"Every team at the tournament has earned their spot and will give us their best," Miner said. "The regular season does not mean anything when it comes to tournament time. We will see a brand new team fighting for the same trophy as us."

Sydney Browne led the way for Colorado this season scoring 21 goals – nearly three times as many as any of her teammates – and assisting on 11 others. She had the lone goal for Colorado against Minot State, which outscored the Buffaloes 17-1 in their four-game series.

Maya Nefs (15 assists) and Celine Long (4 assists) each added nine goals apiece and are next in scoring for the Buffaloes, while Katy Cooley leads the way in goal with a 7-6-1 overall record and a 2.35 goals against average. She played in all four games against the Beavers.

As for the Beavers themselves, balance has been a key all season long, offensively, defensively, and in goal.

Haley Wickham leads a quartet of players with double-digit goals as she has scored 14, along with 12 assists, while Megan Norris has 13 goals and 14 assists, Riley Ball has 12 goals and 13 assists, and Ensley Fendelet – named an ACHA 2^nd Team All-American last week – has 11 goals and 13 assists.

Fendelet was also named to the WMCH All-Conference Team along with teammate Haylie Biever, one of Minot State's two star goalies. Biever was 9-2-1 on the season with a 1.19 GAA and four shutouts sharing time with Jordan Ivanco, who was 14-4-0 with a 1.34 GAA and five shutouts.

They all will be key components to success for the Beavers who will look to continued balanced play all over the ice to secure wins and keep advancing at nationals, regardless of the foe.

"We can only control what we can control," Miner said. "We have the tools to be successful; we just have to make sure that they are in full swing right from puck-drop to the final buzzer. There is no time to take a shift off knowing the format of the tournament."

Win Wednesday night and the Beavers advance to a quarterfinal contests on Friday with time and opponent to be determined. A loss means they would play an elimination game Thursday and need a win to advance to Friday's quarterfinals.

Once they get to Friday, it is win or go home with the semifinals on Saturday and the National Championship game at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

While playing Sunday for the title is the goal, that contest remains a long way off right now as the focus is much more concentrated for Minot State: Wednesday's game and the University of Colorado, and nothing else.

"We are going to focus on the first game and go from there," Miner said. "We're not looking ahead and focused on earning every victory.

"It will be a mental and physical battle, but as long as we can keep ourselves in the right mindset, we will be successful."