MINOT, N.D. - The Minot State Beavers men's hockey team is headed to Arizona to play 3 games in 3 days against the University of Arizona and Grand Canyon University. Game one is scheduled for Thursday, December 12, at 8:30 pm against the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. Game two and game three are scheduled for Friday, December 13, at 8:00 pm, and Saturday, December 14, at 8:00 pm against Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. The University of Arizona is 8-8-0 and Grand Canyon University is 7-7-1 on the season. The #2 ranked Minot State Beavers are 16-2-2 on the season. 

The Beavers are coming off of a two-game series sweep over their in-state rival, University of Jamestown. The Beavers defeated, previously ranked #5, Jamestown on Friday, December 6, in Jamestown, North Dakota, by a final score of 3-1. On Saturday, December 7, the Beavers defeated Jamestown 4-2 in Minot, North Dakota, to sweep the two-game series. 

Over the years, the Beavers have performed extremely well against the University of Arizona. Minot State is currently 5-0-0 against Arizona with their last match-up resulting in a 3-2 victory for the Beavers back on November 21, 2024. Historically, the Beavers are also unbeaten against Grand Canyon University with a 6-0-0 record over the years. The Beavers are already 2-0-0 against Grand Canyon this season with their last match-up resulting in a 4-1 Beavers victory back on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Over the next few days, the Beavers will be looking to continue their unbeaten streak against these two teams. 

Players to watch:

Jay Buchholz is the leading forward in points scored with 21 points on the season, and Colby Joseph is the leading forward in goals scored with 12 goals on the season. Logan Rands is the leading defensemen in both points scored and goals scored with 13 points and 7 goals on the season. Jake Anthony and William Dyke have both been stellar in goal this season for the Beavers. Jake Anthony holds a 9-2-1 record with a 0.926 save percentage, and Will Dyke holds a 6-0-1 record with a 0.922 save percentage. 

Following the road trip to Arizona, the Beavers will be back in action following the New Year at home in a two-game series against Midland University. The two-game series is scheduled for Saturday, January 4, at 3:30 pm, and Sunday, January 5, at 4:30 pm at the Maysa Arena.