JAMESTOWN, N.D. – As the road portion of the season enters closure, the Minot State men's hockey team will be heading into Senior night feeling confident. The Beavers returned to the ice for a midweek matchup with the longtime rival Jamestown Jimmies. Wilson Arena had all the happenings as Minot would end up finishing strong in their final road game of the regular season.

The No. 1 Beavers (28-6-1) built an early lead on No. 4 Jamestown (24-9-0) and were able to close it out after a pushback by the Jimmies. In Jamestown, the final score was 4-2. They did not just get the ice breaker; the Beavers would add to their advantage. It took a little bit of time, but after 19:07 in the first period, a shot from the blue line found its way through with a little bit of help in the slot. At the end of one period, the Beavers led 1-0. Making way into the second, a power play opportunity would allow Minot to get into a groove offensively. After the Beavers made it 2-0 with a cross-ice feed, they would score again to make it 3-0 less than five minutes later with another point shot through traffic. What feels like a comfortable lead may not seem like it as things start to get interesting heading into the final period of regulation. At 8:14 of the third, Jamestown broke off the attempt of a shutout to make it 3-1. That one was a power play chance of their own, as special teams factored into tonight's game. Then things may have gotten a little too comfortable as the Beavers committed a tripping infraction late, which then prompted Jamestown to pull the goalie for a 6-on-4 attack. In the end, the Beavers rose to the occasion to put the lead out of reach in a race towards the empty cage. The Jimmies found the back of the net one more time at 19:17 but it was too little too late. Minot State wins 4-2 with a chance to make it another two-game sweep of Jamestown when they return to the Magic City for Senior night tomorrow at Maysa Arena.

Both teams will meet again for a 7:15 p.m. (CT) puck drop. It is going to be a special one, as the Beavers will honor their three graduating Seniors during the night.

Nothing says welcome back like scoring your 14^th of the season, as Troy Hamilton returned from injury just in time for the postseason run. Inching closer to the team lead in goals, Carter Barley got his 18^th goal on a power play in the second period. Logan Rands was the recipient of his sixth of the season. Closing it out with the empty netter was Josh Pederson for his fifth, along with an assist on Rands' goal for a two-point effort.

Another fantastic performance in the crease by Minot State's Jake Anthony, as he goes for 29 saves on 31 shots. The second goal given up took place during nonfactor garbage time minutes.

The Beavers tally their fifth win of the season over Jamestown, along with their 21^st under MSU Athletics affiliation. Minot State is eager to finish out the regular season on a high note against Jamestown once again before they head off to Nationals. With a little extra motivational boost, the Beavers will be honoring Tre Sortland, Riley Wallace, and Carter Barley as the three Seniors embark on their final gameday at the Maysa. Tomorrow's game is the last chance to see the Beavers on home ice, with yet another good one on deck against the in-state rival Jimmies.