MINOT, N.D. - The 2018-2019 season is officially two months away. Since computer rankings have been implemented at the ACHA level, the league has used strength of schedule as the driving force. Every year since the inception of the rankings, the Beavers have consistently had a top five strength of schedule. This has translated into a team better prepared for the national tournament. Some say it has aided in the success of the Beavers at nationals. Including three final fours in the past four seasons. A pretty remarkable accomplishment for any program. Beaver fans will once again be excited as there will be a total of 20 home games at the Pepsi Rink at the MAYSA Arena. 

"It is once again one of the toughest schedules in the country. Just the way we want it." Said Head Coach Wade Regier "This is the only way to truly build character. We need continually face tough opponents game in and game out. With us having such a young squad, it will help develop our guys and hopefully translate to success. We know it is going to be a challenging season and we look forward to being in the unusual underdog situation all season long."

Let's dive into the key dates and opponents. 

The season begins with the annual exhibition series with Briercrest College on September 14th and 15th. At the end of September, the Beavers officially open up the ACHA season on the road to Colorado to face Colorado State once and Colorado twice. In October, the Beavers will face the Jimmies, Williston State and Iowa State.   This year the Beavers and Jimmies will face off eight times. All weekends set as home and homes. The Beavers and Jimmies will once again be travel partners, as both programs head to Arizona and Las Vegas, with both those programs returning a trip up to North Dakota. The Beavers will host a home and home with the Utah Skatin Utes. 

Rivalry's renewed the Beavers will once again face the Tetons and the Lumberjacks this season. 

New additions to the schedule.

The Beavers will face the team that knocked them out of the national tournament, the University of Illinois. The Fighting Illini will head to Minot for one game, while the Beavers will head to Illinois for two. Missouri State travels North Dakota for the first time in program history to face Jamestown for two games and Minot State for one. 

Bismark/Minot and Minot State/UMary rivalry renewed. 

The addition of fully funded hockey at UMary is an exciting time for hockey in North Dakota. The Beavers and Marauders will face each other for the first time on the Ice at the end of November. The big rivalry between institutions will definately be heated on the ice! 

Full Schedule

September 14/15 - Briercrest

September 27-29 - at Colorado State and Colorado

Oct 4/5 -  Home and Home Jamestown

Oct 11-13 - Illinois and Utah 

Oct 18/20 - Home and Home Williston State 

Oct 26/27 - At Iowa State

Nov 8-10 - ASU and UNLV

Nov 16/17 - Home and Home

Nov 30/Dec 1 - Home and Home UMARY

Dec 7/8 - Home and Home Jamestown 

Jan 11/12 - Home and Home UMARY

January 24-26 - Bottineau and Williston

Feb 1/2 - At Illinois

Feb 8/9 - Colorado

Feb 14-16 - At UNLV and ASU

Feb 23 - Missouri State 

Mar 1/2 - at Utah

March 7/8 - Home and Home Jamestown 

March 21-26 - Nationals Dallas Texas.