After starting 2016 with a sweep of with a sweep of St. Olaf, the College of Saint Benedict hockey team returns to action this weekend (Jan. 22nd & Jan. 23rd) against Bethel. The Royals come into this game riding a two-game losing streak.
 
The Schedule:
Blazers @ Bethel, 7 p.m., Friday, January 22nd, National Sports Center, Blaine, Minn.
Bethel @ Blazers, 3 p.m., Saturday, January 23rd, Municipal Athletic Complex, St. Cloud, Minn.
 
The Records:
CSB: 5-9-1 (3-4-1 MIAC)
BU: 6-7-2 (4-4-2 MIAC)
 
Who to Watch:
CSB:
Jr. F. Elli Marvin | Five goals, two assists in past three games. Leads the team with eight goals and 12 points this season
So. F. Brigette Miller | Six goals and three assists this season. Leads the team in plus/minus at +2
Fy G. Angel Hillstrom | Leads the MIAC with 323 saves this year
BU:
Sr. D Erin Harper | Second in the MIAC with eight assists this season
Sr. F Caroline Kivisto | Leads the Royals with six goals
So. G Maggie Straka | Fifth in the MIAC with a 1.82 save percentage
 
About the Royals:
Bethel currently sits fourth in the MIAC standings, and their season has featured a mix of highs and lows. While they have yet to be swept in a two-game series, they have swept only one other team (St. Catherine). They are led by the MIAC's second-best defense, which has yielded a 1.36 goals against average. They will be looking for a couple wins this weekend to stay afloat with the rest of the MIAC leaders.
 
Storyline:
After sweeping the Oles to earn their second and third MIAC wins, the Blazers carry momentum into this weekend's series against the Royals. The Royals however, present a much larger challenge than the last-place Oles. The Blazers will need to score early against the stingy Royal defense in order to avoid having to play behind against the MIAC's second-best defense.
 
Last Year:
In 2015, the Blazers and Royals played each other towards the end of February as the season was wrapping up. The Royals won both games to sweep the season series. In the first game the Blazers struck first, scoring off a goal by Katie Cristan. The Royals however, rallied back to score three unanswered goals and won the game 3-1. In the second game, the Royals scored once in the first period and twice in the second to win the game 3-0.