LYNCHBURG, Va. - The Minot State Beavers completed a season-opening sweep of one of the nation's best on the road Saturday, turning in an impressive start to their national title defense.

Reid Arnold scored a pair of goals for the Beavers who erased a 2-1, first-period deficit to win their second game in less than 24 hours over host Liberty, this time 5-3.

Late Friday night in a game that stretched into the wee hours of Saturday morning, the Beavers beat the Flames 4-2 in Liberty's Midnight Mayhem game.

"Very proud of the step forward we took this weekend as a program," Minot State coach Wyatt Waselenchuk said. "We didn't make it easy on ourselves, but top to bottom - we did a lot of good things. Our new guys stepped up in a big way, we had solid goaltending, and our returning group really played hard.

"It's a good indicator of the team we have here," Waselenchuk added. "Still lots to clean up, but to come away with two wins against a great team like Liberty, especially in their building – it's a nice way to start our season."

Back in action about 17 hours later, Minot State jumped in front on Jay Buchholz second goal of the season just 4 minutes, 9 seconds into Saturday's game.

The host Flames (1-2-0 overall) rallied with a pair of goals before the end of the first, and maintained a 2-1 lead until halfway through the second period then Troy Hamilton tied it with 9:15 left in the stanza.

Arnold then put the Beavers (2-0-0) on top for good, scoring his first of two with 7:26 left in the second. He scored again just 37 seconds into the third, which proved to be the game-winner.

The Flames closed to 4-3 back, but an empty-net goal by Josh Pederson iced the sweep with 28 seconds remaining on the clock.

Joey Moffatt had a pair of assists, while Sheldin Howard, Logan Rands, Reece Henry, and Christian Kadolph all added helpers in the win.

Jake Anthony earned his second straight win in goal to start the season, making 23 saves for Minot State, which is back in action Wednesday night playing much closer to home as they skate against the Jamestown Jimmies.