MANDAN, N.D. – A good start for half the game was not enough for the Minot State men's hockey team as they were leapfrogged by in-state rival University of Mary at Schwan Cadillac Arena in Mandan, ND on Wednesday night.

The 1^st-ranked Beavers (22-5-0) were upset by the No. 10 Marauders (19-9-0) in a 5-3 final score. Minot State jumped ahead to 2-0 and 3-2 leads, all for Mary to battle back from multiple deficits and take it out of the hands of the Beavers. Minot opened the game with the ice breaker on a beautiful centering feed midway through the first to go up 1-0 heading to the locker room. In the second period, things were looking up for the Beavers after a Marauders miscue in the defensive zone to make the lead 2-0. Gearing towards the final five minutes of the period, Mary would up the intensity to not only answer once but twice, with the tying goal occurring at four seconds left in the second period. Minot State responded early in the third only for the Marauders to tie it just over a minute later. It would stay 3-3 for about 14 minutes until Mary scored the go-ahead goal, a back breaker for the Beavers with just over 3 minutes left in regulation. Minot State would eventually fall short in rally efforts with the extra attacker as Mary collected the empty netter to seal the deal.

Both teams will meet one last time this season on February 22 in Minot.

The two top point leaders on the Beavers combined for the opening goal, as Christian Kadolph set up Carter Barley for his 12^th of the year. You can tally another goal for Reid Arnold after he was able to extend his total to 17 on a short-handed effort in the second period. Jay Buchholz also grabbed his ninth goal in the final period of regulation.

Going into the night with a shutout streak on the line, it was Riley Wallace getting the start for the Beavers in net. Unfortunately, the streak came to an end at 224 minutes for Wallace as he managed his way up to 23 saves on 27 total shots.

Up next for the Beavers is a home-and-home set this weekend with the Jamestown Jimmies. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. (CT) in Jamestown on Friday and 3:45 p.m. (CT) Saturday in the Magic City.