The College of Saint Benedict hockey team begins the final stretch of its season this weekend, as they play a home-and-home series with fifth-place Bethel. The Blazers are currently in seventh-place in the conference standings, but trail the fifth-place Royals by just one point.
 
The Schedule:
Friday: Bethel @ Blazers, 7:00 p.m., Municipal Athletic Complex, St. Cloud, Minn.
Saturday: Blazers @ Bethel, 3:00 p.m., National Sports Center, Blaine, Minn.
 
The Records:
CSB: 6-10-2 (5-7-2 MIAC)
BU: 10-8-3 (5-6-3 MIAC)  
 
About the Royals:
After opening up the season 7-3-1, the Royals have won just two of their past nine games. They are coming off a weekend series in which they tied once and loss once to second-place St. Thomas. Their high-octane offense is third in the conference in goals scored (2.76), and is led by the MIAC's leading goal scorer in Kathryn Larson (13 goals).
 
Who to Watch:
CSB:
So. F Elli Marvin (Leads the Blazers with seven goals, five assists, and 12 points)
So. F Allison Kirk (Scored two goals within six minutes of each other in Blazer victory over Hamline last week)
Fy. F Brigette Miller (First-year sensation is second on team with six goals and scored the game-winner in OT against Hamline)
 
BU:
So. F Kathryn Larson (Leads the MIAC with 13 goals this season)
Sr. F Kalie Johnson (Tied for team lead with 10 assists, second on team with 15 points)
Fy. G Michelle Klimstra (Bethel has given up just 1.95 goals in games she has started this year)
 
 
Storyline:
With both teams teetering on the edge of playoff relevancy, which team will emerge from this weekend on the inside track to the MIAC playoffs? With only St. Thomas left to play, the Blazers likely need at least a win and a tie this weekend in order to realistically have a chance at making the playoffs. Although the Royals are higher in the standings, they have won only twice in the past nine games. The Blazers will need to contain the Royals high-powered offense in order to secure a win and have a chance at making the MIAC playoffs.
 
Last Year:
In 2014, the Royals swept the Blazers. In the Friday night game at Bethel, the Blazers lost 1-0. In that game, the Royals scored early in the first period and then shutout the Blazers to secure the win. On Saturday night, the Royals came to St. Cloud and beat the Blazers 5-1. In that game the Royals again took an early lead and then coasted to the victory. Key to the win tonight will be to not let the Royals get on the board first.
 
Last Time Out:
Last weekend the Blazers used an overtime goal from first-year forward Brigette Miller to beat the Hamline University Pipers 3-2. Sophomore forward Allison Kirk scored twice in the second period to keep the Blazers in the game. On Saturday the Blazers went to St. Paul and came home with a loss.
 
Did You Know:
Just two short years ago, the Blazers leading goal-scorer (Elli Marvin) and the Royals leading goal-scorer (Kathryn Larson) were teammates at Mounds View High School. In their junior year, Marvin and Larson helped lead the team to the MSHSL state quarterfinals, where they lost to Edina on a controversial goal which officials chose not to review.