MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State women's hockey team is (finally) back on the ice after a long holiday break. After originally scheduled to play Jamestown last weekend but could not because of travel affected by severe weather, the Beavers turn their attention to the number one team in the country: the Midland Warriors.

The 8^th-ranked Beavers (11-9-0) will drop the puck versus No. 1 Midland University (20-0-1) for a pair of games at Maysa Arena in the Pepsi Rink. It will be a rare evening start for the Beavers at 7:30 (CT) for both nights. Alcohol will be available for purchase to the public age 21 and older.

There is no better way to start the new year than against the number one team. Even with a six-game winning streak heading into the series, it will be the Beavers first big test of 2024. They are coming off a 2-0 shutout victory over the Jamestown Jimmies that took place just over a month ago on December 9.

Midland continues to play phenomenal hockey, as they have not lost in regulation at all this season. They will make their way up to Minot while sitting on a seven-game winning streak. Just like Minot, their previous matchup also came against Jamestown in another shutout effort that ended 4-0.

The Warriors are just as advertised both on paper and on the ice, with three players that are on a point-per-game pace. Kayla Flanigan is at the top in points with 30. Goals are easy to come by for Ally Rakowski, as she leads the Warriors with 17. Be on the lookout for those two players to watch on Midland's side.

Leading the charge in net for the Warriors is Hannah Stone. As the number one option, she carries a superb 1.07 goals-against average and .941 save percentage in 13 games of work.

Offense continues to spread amongst many of the Beaver skaters. Paige Ackerman and Paige Kozak are the top point getters as they both have 11. Four individuals are tied right now with the most goals at five. Along with Ackerman and Kozak, Aspen Cooper and Krissy Rink have supplemented the goal scoring as the other two skaters on that list.

While starting netminder Haylie Biever used the extended time to recover from injury, Morgan Baker was stellar in her place. Baker enters this weekend with a 1.48 goals-against average and .934 save percentage.

This weekend will mark the fifth and sixth meetings between the Beavers and Warriors. Midland has turned the tide in the all-time series as they rallied off four straight wins versus Minot State this season and 12 total victories in 22 tries. Their last matchup was a 4-2 decision back on November 11, 2023, in Minot.

Minot State is back to kickstart the second half of the season as they host the No. 1 nationally ranked Midland University Warriors. After they complete their session with Midland, the Beavers will go on a busy Midwest tour for a triple stack of games versus Maryville, McKendree, and Lindenwood before the inaugural WMCH All-Star Game.