ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict hockey team begins MIAC play this weekend as they take on Bethel for a home and home series starting at home on Thursday night at 7 p.m. and then ending on the road in St. Paul on Friday night at 7 p.m.  
 
Fans are welcome at the conference games on Ritschie Arena at the Municipal Athletic Complex in St. Cloud. Per MIAC policy, fans must be masked at all times for all winter sporting events. 
 
About the Royals 
In their shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year, the Royals finished 6-2-1 overall and 2-1-1 in the MIAC. Lexi DeBace returns after finishing with two goals and six assists for eight total points on the season. Goaltender Mallory Tidona split time in goal last season and finished with three wins and a save percentage of better than .900.  
 
Last Meeting 
The last time the Bennies and the Royals met was last year on Feb. 24 where Bethel's dominant second period would give the Royals the 3-2 win over CSB. Jamie Benzie and Brynn Sexauer scored for the Bennies and goalie Maggie Gilchrist stopped a total of 27 shots on net.  
 
The Storyline 
The Bennies are coming off a split with Concordia Wisconsin last weekend. Game 1 was back-and-forth with lots of special team scoring that came down to a Concordia goal in OT to give the Falcons the win. In Game 2 CSB made sure to keep the game to regulation, with first year Kennedy Morris scoring the game winning goal in the third period to give the Bennies the 3-2 win, their first win of the season.  
 
Who to Watch 
The first-year class is making a name for themselves early on in the season. Ava Stinnett leads the team with two goals and three assists, followed by Kennedy Morris, who had a three-point weekend against Concordia Wisconsin, with two goals and one assist. Jenna Timm has one goal and two assists, Sami Boerboom has two goals, and Aurora Opsahl has one goal and one assist. Goalies Maggie Gilchrist and Ally Frantzick have spent games in net. Gilchrist has a .864 save percentage and Frantzick has a .857 save percentage.