MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State women's hockey team collected two important wins after a lengthy hiatus. The Beavers (10-3) took two home games from the McKendree Bearcats (3-8) in their first time on the ice since Feb. 26.
 
MSU had their last three contest canceled, but were able to host McKendree in the final two-game set of the regular season. The Beavers won the first tilt of the weekend 3-2 and were even more triumphant in the second game by an 8-1 margin.
 
Game 1
Minot State jumped out to an early lead after two goals in the first period. Riley Ball benefitted from a power play score while being assisted by both Megan Norris and Sydney Spicer. Captain Sami Jo Henry extended the Beavers' lead in the same period with the help of Megan Ferg.
 
In the second period, McKendree narrowed the margin to 2-1 in favor of MSU when Juliana Davis sent one into the goal. Quinn Atchison and Brittany Koch assisted on the play.
 
The Bearcats evened the tally early in the third period when Camryn Scully scored. Atchison and Laurynn Davey provided assists.
 
Despite the late scare from McKendree, Minot State's experience provided the final blow when Alisha O'Hara scored the game-winner with just under three minutes left on the clock.
 
McKendree's goaltender, Naomi Leasck allowed all three Beaver scores while saving 40 other shots. Minot State's defense countered with an 18-save performance from Jordan Ivanco.
 
 
Game 2
The Bearcats rode their late-game momentum from the weekend's first game into the finale. McKendree got on the board very early when Camryn Scully scored off a Quinn Atchison assist. The first-period goal was the only bright spot in Game 2 for McKendree as the Beavers went on a remarkable run.
 
Minot State scored three goals of their own in the first. Alisha O'Hara netted two of those, one of which on a power play, and Haley Wickham provided the other. Ashley Spence, Sami Jo Henry, Kenzie Heide, and Megan Ferg all recorded assists in the period.
 
The Beavers scored another three goals in the second stanza. Ferg, Maiya Aschberg, and Ensley Fendelet enjoyed the scores while O'Hara, Camryn Clyne, Sydney Spicer, and Story Navrot all chipped in with assists.
 
With a 6-1 advantage, MSU added two additional goals in the third period. Navrot delivered a power play score with assists from Heide and Wickham. Fendelet found the back of the net later in the period for the eighth and final goal after two more Heide and Henry assists.
 
Brianna Burke suffered in net from MSU's impressive attack. While she did allow the eight goals from Minot State but also saved 35 other shots.
 
Minot State featured two players in goal starting with Jordan Ivanco. Ivanco allowed the only McKendree goal in the second game while saving nine shots. Haylie Biever entered as a substitute and recorded ten saves of her own.
 
The Beavers will be back in action this coming weekend at the WMCH Conference Tournament in St. Louis, Mo. The tournament field has yet to be announced.