ROMEOVILLE, IL -- The #3 Minot State Beavers men's hockey team opened the ACHA Showcase with a strong 2-1 victory over #8 UNLV on Friday afternoon at Canlan Sports in Romeoville, Illinois. With the win, the Beavers improve to 10-1-1, while UNLV drops to 9-5-0.
 
Neither team found the back of the net in the first two periods despite several chances on both sides. Minot State killed off three penalties and stayed composed through a physical, tightly played opening 40 minutes.
 
The scoring opened early in the third period when Colby Joseph buried a shot at 4:00 into the period to give the Beavers a 1-0 lead. Reece Henry and Logan Cyca picked up assists on the play. UNLV responded at 6:41 into the period on the power play with a goal from Heath Mensch, tying the game at 1-1.
 
Minot State answered back on a power play of its own. Joseph struck again at 12:23 into the period for his second goal of the period, with assists from Joey Moffatt and Matthew Yakubowski, putting the Beavers ahead 2-1.
 
The Minot State penalty kill held strong the rest of the way, shutting down a late UNLV power play to secure the win.
 
UNLV outshot the Beavers 30-24. William Dyke continued his strong play in goal with 29 saves on 30 shots, improving his record to 8-1-1.
 
Minot State finished 1-for-8 on the power play, while UNLV went 1-for-5 on the man advantage.
 
The Beavers continue ACHA Showcase play on Saturday, November 22, at 2:40 pm against #17 University of Utah.