MINOT, N.D. – For the final chapter of the Highway 83 rivalry in the 2023-24 regular season, it was a rather lopsided contest as the Minot State men's hockey team welcomed University of Mary. This one would be the last time both teams meet in the regular season, with a game on hand at Maysa Arena.

The No. 1 Beavers (27-6-1) were everywhere tonight as they dismantled in-state rival Mary (25-13-0) by a final score of 7-0. After previously falling in the Midwest College Hockey Conference championship, it was a game to forget for the Marauders as they look to quickly turn their attention span to the National Tournament. Meanwhile for the Beavers, they took control of the game from start to finish all while scoring in every period. To go along with a few multi-goal efforts in the contest, the Beavers tallied two goals in the first and third, with three goals coming in the second period. It was a quick hitter for Minot State when the ice breaker came along at 2:15 of the first. After 20 minutes of action, the Beavers went into the locker room in a good spot up 2-0. Things would ramp up in a hurry if Mary was to come up with an answer, because Minot State scored twice in a 47-second span to open the middle frame. With two periods gone, the scoreboard reads 5-0. In the third, the Beavers would add two more for good measure to ensure the uneven 7-0 win.

Matthew Yakubowski managed to get his second goal of the year through a shot in traffic, while Walker Jerome netted his first of two goals in the opening period. Sheldin Howard joined Jerome as the other Beaver forward with a two-goal effort as both tallies came in the second. His 10^th and 11^th were sandwiched between Carter Barley's 17^th of the season. Jerome would then hit on his 10^th of the year, followed by Joey Moffatt who grabbed his 11^th to cap off the scoring run. Brayden Pawluk was a distributor from the back end. He added three assists in the win. Christian Kadolph and Reid Arnold also stepped up with two assists each of their own.

Goaltending was sturdy once again for the Beavers. Riley Wallace made his return to the crease after getting a rest last weekend. At this rate, you can just call him stone (Wall)ace as he stopped all 17 shots for his fifth shutout this year.

Having already secured the season series, the Beavers picked up their fifth win over Mary in the 2023-24 calendar and hit double digit wins in the all-time series with their 10^th against the Marauders.

Minot State chased Mary for a convincing win in a midweek match. The Beavers will be back next week to wrap up the 2023-24 regular season before the ACHA National Tournament. On deck is a home-and-home series against another in-state rival: the Jamestown Jimmies. Both games are set to take place on February 28^th and 29^th.