MINOT, N.D. – The Beavers are getting use to spoiling opponents time being ranked No. 1.
For the second straight year, the No. 2-ranked Minot State men's hockey team prevailed in a 1 versus 2 battle as the 2
nd-ranked Beavers toppled No. 1-ranked UNLV 4-2 on Tuesday night at the Maysa Arena.
The loss was the first of the season for the Rebels (6-1-0 overall), the reigning ACHA National Champions, and the third straight win head-to-head in the series for the Beavers (6-0-1).
Minot State won another 1 vs 2 battle as the 2
nd-ranked team last season, scoring a 6-1 victory over then No. 1-ranked Jamestown on November 12 at the Maysa Arena.
Like their previous victory over the Jimmies, the Beavers controlled the contest throughout Tuesday against the Rebels as
Logan Rands broke open the scoring 9 minutes, 30 seconds into the first period, finishing off assists from
Colby Joseph and
Slade Stanick.
Just 3:17 later,
Brett Tataryn gave the hosts a 2-0 lead with a power-play goal assisted by
Christian Kadolph and Joseph.
The Rebels got on the scoreboard midway through the second period, but Minot State answered with 4:17 left in the session when
Logan Cyca scored, finishing off assists from
Matthew Yakubowski and
Sheldin Howard, putting the Beavers back in control, up 3-1.
Joseph then iced the win for Minot State with a power-play goal 8:03 into the third period for a comfortable 4-1 lead.
The Rebels got one back on the power play with 8:24 left but could get no closer as Minot State goalie
William Dyke finished the night with 21 saves to keep UNLV at bay.
With the upset win in a big 1 versus 2 matchup under their belt, the Beavers now prepare for another big contest on Friday night as Minot State hosts in-state rival, the No. 12-ranked Mary Marauders at 7:30 p.m.
The second half of a Minot State women's and men's hockey doubleheader that gets underway with the Beaver women hosting Midland at 3:45 p.m., fans can also enjoy some Halloween fun with a trunk-or-treat at the Pepsi Rink between the women's and men's games on Friday night.
