No. 2 Warriors Split Games at Weather-Shortened Showcase
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — No. 2-ranked Midland University returned to the ice for the first time this semester, competing in the Women's Midwest College Hockey (WMCH) Showcase in the St. Louis metro area. The Warriors opened the weekend with a 5-1 win over No. 10 Jamestown on Thursday afternoon. On Friday, Midland battled top-ranked Liberty University to overtime before falling 4-3. Due to impending winter weather, the remaining showcase games were canceled, including Sunday's annual All-Star Game.
THURSDAY: Midland 5, Jamestown 1
In its first game back from winter break, Midland took time to find its offensive rhythm. Taylor Bell scored the Warriors' first goal of 2026 at the 13:23 mark of the opening period, assisted by Haley Blaine and Ava Matthews-McCulley. Jamestown responded minutes later, tying the game with just over four minutes remaining in the period.
Midland regained control with a flurry of late goals. Molly McMurrich scored off an assist from Camryn Falloon with 2:02 left, and Jordan Bell added another before the final minute to give the Warriors a 3-1 lead. Blaine and Ashlyn Kuffler earned assists on the goal.
The second period featured limited scoring, as Midland successfully killed four penalties, including three power plays for the Jimmies. During one of those penalty kills, Callie Maguire connected with Davanna Ditto for a shorthanded goal, extending the Warriors' lead to 4-1 heading into the final intermission.
Kennedy Wood added an unassisted goal five minutes into the third period, and Midland held off Jamestown's final push to secure the 5-1 victory.
Brynn Knaus earned the start in net and made 28 saves. Midland outshot Jamestown 34-29.
FRIDAY: Liberty 4, Midland 3 (OT)
Friday morning marked the only scheduled regular-season meeting between perennial contenders Midland and Liberty. After a scoreless first period that featured power-play chances for both teams, Liberty struck first in the second period.
The Flames scored twice in the first seven minutes, including a power-play goal, and added another before the intermission to take a 3-0 lead.
Midland responded quickly in the third period. Jaicee Huberdeau scored on a power play at the 4:22 mark, assisted by Darbi Poole and Grace Page. Eight minutes later, Callie Maguire finished a feed from Victoria Campbell to cut the deficit to one.
Following a tripping penalty, the Warriors tied the game when Ashlyn Kuffler scored off assists from Kiara McGregor and Katie McNair with 3:24 remaining. Regulation ended with the teams deadlocked, sending the matchup into overtime.
Liberty capitalized 27 seconds into the three-on-three overtime session to secure the 4-3 win.
Meghan Stewart recorded 28 saves in the loss, while Midland outshot Liberty 39-32 and converted on two of three power-play opportunities.
Midland (22-3-2) returns to action next weekend with a road series at Minot State (12-5-5). The two-game series is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 30, and Saturday, Jan. 31, at Maysa Arena in Minot, N.D.