MARLBOROUGH, Mass. – Last March, the Minot State men's hockey team found its focus for this season with one disheartening outcome.
Eliminated by Ohio in the first game of the ACHA National Tournament a year ago, the Beavers have focused on this moment for the past 12 months, a return to nationals and the chance to chase a third National Championship.
And no opponent will be overlooked as Minot State (31-3-0 overall) awaits its first-round foe who the Beavers play Friday at 7 p.m. (CT) in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
The Beavers foe will be either No. 16-ranked Lawrence Tech, or No. 17 Michigan-Dearborn in a similar scenario to the 2022 season when the Beavers awaited an opponent who opened nationals on Thursday night.
The Blue Devils (25-7-2 overall) and Wolverines – WHAC rivals who recently played in their conference tournament in late February – play tonight at 7 p.m. (CT) with the winner facing Minot State. The Wolverines are 4-1 this season against their league rivals.
Lawrence Tech is led by Thimo Ey who has 21 goals and 18 assists this season, along with the goaltending tandem of Noah Brandau and Spencer Krul. Brandau is 12-1-1 with one shutout and a 1.79 goals against average, while Krul is 13-6-1 with three shutouts and a 2.03 GAA.
As for the Wolverines (21-12-2), they are led by the nation's top scorer in Brendan West, who has 32 goals and 45 assists, and a trio of goalies led by Eric Polzon, who is 10-4-1 with two shutouts and a 2.20 GAA.
As for the Beavers, who had the chance to tune up for nationals with back-to-back wins over No. 7-ranked Jamestown last week, they are led by a prolific offense featuring 10 double-digit goal scorers.
Freshman
Joey Moffatt leads the group with 20 goals and 26 assists, while senior
Drew Carter has 19 goals and 17 assists, and junior
Carter Barley leads the team in total points with 18 goals and 38 assists.
The Beavers have relied heavily on
Jake Anthony in goal this season as he is 21-3-0 with four shutouts and a 1.84 GAA.
With an opening win, the Beavers will then be able to focus on their next game at nationals, a potential quarterfinal contest slated for 7 p.m. (CT) on Sunday, March 19.
The semifinals are on Monday, March 20, and the championship game is Tuesday night, March 21, at 7 p.m. (CT).
