MINOT, N.D. - This time the Beavers didn't need overtime or a shoot-out.

Reid Arnold scored a pair of goals and Trenton Curtis added a goal and two assists as the Minot State men's hockey team erupted early and routed rival Liberty 8-1 on Saturday night at the Maysa Arena, sweeping the four-game season series between the ACHA national semifinalists.

Minot State (5-0-0 overall) beat Liberty 3-2 in a shoot-out Friday night at home, and also beat the Flames 4-2 and 5-3 last weekend in Virginia.

Curtis, just a freshman, put Minot State in front with his second collegiate goal just 3 minutes, 56 seconds into the game Saturday night, then he assisted on Christian Kadolph's first of the season just 3:05 later.

Arnold pushed the lead to 3-0 with his first of the night with 2:19 left in the first, the first of two quick power-play goals for the Beavers who made it 4-0 when Jay Buchholz scored with the man advantage just 1:39 later, and the rout was underway.

From there, Minot State added goals by Reece Henry, Arnold, and Payton Jerome in the second period, claiming a 7-0 lead.
After Liberty broke up the shutout with a power-play goal of their own late in the second, Carter Barley added one more power-play goal for Minot State in the third to finish off the night.

Jake Anthony finished with 23 saves in goal in the win for Minot State, which is back in action next Saturday playing at Mary.