GREAT FALLS, Mont. – After a dominant opening weekend, the University of Providence hockey team will set their sights to their next opponent, University of Mary, who the team will host this Friday at 7:00 p.m. The Argos (2-0) will also host Williston State on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m., with both games being played at the Great Falls Ice Plex. 

The weekend will also feature as a pair of special nights. Friday's game will double as Youth Hockey Night, while Saturday's will be a Costume Night in celebration of Halloween.

The squad is coming off a strong opening weekend, in which the Argos handily defeated the Montana Grizzlies, scoring eight goals in each game. The rout was even more impressive considering the team had only had seven practices before the two games.

"It was a great opening weekend," head coach Jeff Heimel said. "Of course there were some things that we could have done better, but at the end of the day, we played two pretty solid hockey games coming out of the gate with very limited practice time. I'm pleased regardless."

The focus is now set to the Marauders (8-2), who the team has had an intense rivalry with over the past couple years. Two years ago, the Argos took down the top-seeded Marauders in the conference championship when Leo Felt scored the game-winning goal 18 seconds into overtime.

The Marauders got the best of the Argos last season, defeating the team six times before the Argos pulled out a 2-1 home victory in the team's final regular season game. The two teams met again in the ACHA National Tournament last season, with the Marauders defeating the Argos in pool play 3-1.

"It's a big rivalry," Heimel said. "I was trying to quantify it in my head on why it's such a great rivalry, and I think it's because they do things well and compete hard. As another competitive hockey team, you appreciate that. It's just created a dynamic where guys are excited to be in the rink playing hockey."

The Marauders already have 10 games under their belt this season, so the team knows they'll have their hands full.

"They're physical, they're fast, they're well-coached," Heimel said. "In the past they've done really well with special teams. They have some returners that we're familiar with. I don't see foresee a ton of drastic changes from their philosophies and the way that they do things. Most of all you have to keep them off the rush. You have to defend well against them and keep them on the outside and not let some of their forwards get loose. That's where you can get in trouble there a little bit."

Regardless of what happens Friday night, the team will have to switch gears to Williston State on Saturday. The Tetons (2-0) will have played a total of four games by the time they meet the Argos on Saturday.

"They have a new coach this year so it'll be interesting to see how their philosophies translate," Heimel said. "We're treating it more like a newer team experience. We haven't looked too far past Mary at this point. We can expect them to be reinvigorated with a new coach and their energy. We're excited to see where that one goes."