MINOT, N.D. – Back to round out the second game of a back-to-back at Maysa Arena, the Minot State women's hockey team was in search of the sweep over the Assiniboine Community College Cougars. The Beavers are coming off a thrilling 1-0 overtime win the night before, with another win in mind.
Minot State (18-10-1) did just that with a 3-0 win over Assiniboine (13-2-1) and handing their second regulation loss of the season. It was another feisty battle, as the competitive nature did not waiver. The Beavers were grinding for pucks and did everything they could to get the upper edge on Assiniboine in all facets, all that to go along with forcing key turnovers. They were rewarded with a couple of fortunate bounces to go their way. They were opportunistic as well, as Minot kicked off the scoring showing great patience on a breakaway goal for the ice breaker. That goal at eight minutes exactly would be the only marker of the first period. Early in the second, the Beavers snuck one in past the goalie pad 21 seconds into the period. Then at 12:04, a costly errant pass by the Assiniboine defenseman allowed one of the Beavers top shooters to take advantage and beat the goalie on the glove side. Despite a heavy push by a deflated Cougars squad, that was all the scoring that would take place and the final would remain at 3-0 at the end of the third.
The captain
Riley Ball had herself a night, scoring two of the three Beaver goals. She moves up the goal list adding her sixth and seventh on the year.
Kaitlyn Snyder was also the recipient of her sixth.
Haylie Biever was a brick wall today in a sensational performance. She stopped all 30 shots that came her way, with plenty of them being high danger chances. It is also her second shutout of the weekend, with a shutout streak that now sits at 121:06.
The Beavers pick up a huge weekend sweep over Assiniboine Community College, a sweep that was not easy by any means. In their first two meetings with Assiniboine under affiliation of MSU Athletics, both resulted in Beaver wins. Minot State will be back on home ice next weekend to wrap up the regular season. The University of Jamestown Jimmies will be back to battle the Beavers in what should be another hard-fought series. Puck drop is slated for February 16 and 17, with Senior Day festivities taking place during Saturday's game.
