MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO. – It was a battle till the very end, but they ultimately fell short. The Minot State men's hockey team was back to hit the ice for an ACHA Nationals quarterfinal matchup that saw them take on 8^th-seeded Ohio University. The Bobcats moved on to face the Beavers after a 4-3 overtime winner over #24 Oswego State the night before.

1^st-seeded Minot State would get knocked out of the bracket at the hands of Ohio in a heartbreaking 2-1 overtime loss. The Beavers were not able to recapture the magic from last year's national tournament run despite leaving everything on the ice.

In the first period, Ohio got a much favorable start with the ice breaker at 7:11. Finding themselves in need to climb up from a deficit, the momentum would shift towards the Beavers side with two Bobcat penalties nearly simultaneously. A 5-on-3 power play chance was a perfect time to strike, and the Beavers did exactly that. It is just what the doctor ordered as Minot State tied it at one goal apiece at the 10:43 mark of the second period.

After a scoreless third period, a sudden death overtime was needed to determine the winner. Despite all kinds of scoring chances to end it early, the Beavers fell short as Ohio with a quick counterattack on the rush finished off the dagger in overtime.

As a result from tonight, the Bobcats move on to the ACHA National Tournament semifinals with their second consecutive victory past regulation.

Jay Buchholz was the recipient of the 5-on-3 power-play goal. It was his second of the tournament as he scored the lone goal in the overtime loss.

In the crease, Jake Anthony did everything he could and gave the Beavers a chance to win. He racked up 29 saves on 31 shots in over 75 minutes of action. His Ohio counterpart, Justin Damon, was incredible by making 56 saves on 57 shots to stun the Beavers.

The Ohio University Bobcats have gotten the best out of the Beavers in a handful of games. Under MSU Athletics affiliation, the Beavers now drop their fourth game out of five total contests (regular and postseason combined) to the Bobcats, including their second ACHA National Tournament defeat to the Cats. The other loss previously came on March 11, 2022, in a 3-2 decision.

That puts a conclusion to the 2023-24 season for Minot State men's hockey. They will return next year no longer as an independent in the ACHA, as the Beavers will compete within a home conference under Midwest College Hockey. Along with that, stick taps go out to the Seniors on the men's hockey program who will move on to the next chapter of their lives.