GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The #3 University of Providence hockey team will return to action this week with a road game against the University of Montana on Jan. 28. The puck will drop in Missoula at 7:00 p.m.

The Argos (9-4) are coming out of an off-week, after defeating #5 Montana State twice two weeks ago.

"We've had a physical season and Montana State was a pretty physical opponent," head coach Jeff Heimel said. "That mental rest and physical rest and recovery is a hidden benefit. We had some hard practices these last two weeks where we competed and had fun. It was good to stay on the ice and stay focused. We had some really good conditioning sessions in the gym. We didn't want to lose an edge there."

Heimel believes that while the team is still improving, they're getting close to playing their best hockey.

"We're trending upwards," he said. "We have a ways to go but you're either moving one of two directions and we're moving in the right direction. We've cleaned some things up this week. We've got an opportunity to showcase that in these next two games."

The team has two games left of the regular season before the Conference Tournament, which begins on Feb. 10. The Argos will take on the Grizzlies this Friday before hosting the team again next Thursday, Feb. 3.

The two teams opened the season with a pair of games against each other, with the Argos winning 8-0 and 8-1, respectively.

"They had some guys out when we played them last," Heimel said. "They were a little short-benched when we played them. They're healthier and they have a better, more consistent lineup than the first week when we played them. We're expecting a good game."