ST. LOUIS, Mo. - It took Minot State a little time to skate their game back into shape after nearly three weeks away from the ice, but once the Beavers got rolling they cruised into the quarterfinals of the ACHA Division I Women's National Tournament.

Denali Sigurdson scored what proved to be the game winner with 11 minutes, 15 seconds gone in the first period for Minot State, which tacked on eight insurance goals in the final two periods for a 9-0 win over the University of Colorado on Wednesday night. 

With the win, Minot State (25-6-1 overall) advances to play at either 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. on Friday against an opponent yet to be determined. The Buffaloes (14-13-1) play an elimination game Thursday against Adrian (Mich.). 

Alisha O'Hara and Megan Norris assisted on the first-period goal for the Beavers, who protected that tenuous lead until midway thru the second period when Riley Ball's power-play goal off an Ensley Fendelet assist with 8:26 left in the session opened the offensive floodgates. 

Just 13 seconds later Lauren Blight scored off a Gillian Gervin assist, then  Ball scored her second off the period with 5:20 left until the break off a Mackenzie Heide assist for a comfortable 4-0 lead. 

Sydney Spicer, Makena Welby, and O'Hara each added a goal in the third period while Norris scored twice for Minot State. 
Fendelet assisted on two of the Beavers' third-period goals, while Ashley Spence, Mia Mckee, Jenae Cockerill, Haley Wickham, Aspen Cooper, and Norris all added one assist each in the late surge. 

Jordan Ivanco earned the shutout in goal, but save totals were not available.