A lengthy stretch on the road comes to an end Thursday night, October 10, as the top-ranked Minot State University (MSU) men’s hockey team battles at sixth ranked Jamestown to wrap up a four-game, season-opening road trip.

A trip that actually began almost a month ago with a pair of exhibition games in Canada for the Beavers, who despite being away from home have been successful, racking up a 3-0-0 overall record and earning the top spot in the first American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division I Men’s Hockey national poll released today.

“I believe it’s great for a team to play away from home early on,” said fourth-year head coach Wyatt Waselenchuk. “The bus trips, hotels, team meals – that’s how you get to know one another. It’s been a nice stretch here early, and lots to build off of; sometimes you get comfortable at home and build off the crowd. On the road, you really have to dig deep and find it within, which I feel we have done a pretty good job of to start the season.”

Balance has been one key for MSU early on as Colby Joseph, Joey Moffatt, and Reid Arnold each have two goals through the first three contests.

Meanwhile, in goal, senior goalie Jake Anthony has two victories, a 2.00 goals against average, and a .905 save percentage, while freshman William Dyke earned his first collegiate victory with 26 saves in a 4-3 victory at Illinois.

As for Thursday’s foe, Jamestown comes in playing extremely well, also, as the Jimmies are ranked sixth and have gone 6-0-0 early on this season, taking a pair of wins from Midland, Iowa State, and Waldorf each, to date.

“It’s always a battle with them,” said Waselenchuk. “They’re big, work hard, and play great within their system. We need to match and exceed their work ethic. It’s a great rivalry and we are excited for the challenge ahead against a top-notch program.”

A rivalry dominated by the Beavers who hold a 53-17-4 all-time series edge, but two of those Jamestown wins came just last season, a 2-1 victory in Minot and a 4-1 win on Jamestown’s home ice.

Brandon Weare leads the Jimmies in goal with all six wins this season, including a pair of shutout victories to date, and boasts a stunning 0.83 GAA and phenomenal 0.962 save percentage. Against MSU over the past two seasons, though, he is 2-11.

Offensively, Brad Fortin and Darius Makse each have netted five goals through the teams’ first six games, while Jordan Baranesky and Kole Christensson each have four goals apiece for a Jimmies squad outscoring foes 33-5.

While Thursday is the final game of a 4-game road stretch to open the season, the Beavers make their home debut next weekend hosting “Defend the Pepsi” night at the Maysa Arena when Minot State battles Ohio on Friday, October 18, at 7:30 p.m., then again on Saturday, October 19, at 7:30 p.m.

Beavers No. 1 in first ACHA poll

Riding a three-game road win streak to open the season, the Minot State men’s hockey team was ranked first in the first ACHA Division I Men’s Hockey national poll released today.

Receiving 12 first-place votes and 853 points in the poll, MSU jumped into the top spot just ahead of reigning national champion Adrian (Mich.), which picked up 16 first-place votes and 851 points.

UNLV was third followed by Ohio at fourth, who the Beavers host next weekend, then Liberty was No. 5.

In-state rivals Jamestown, who the Beavers play on the road Thursday, and Mary, who Minot State beat last week, were sixth and eighth, respectively.