ROMEOVILLE, IL -- The #3 Minot State Beavers men's hockey team earned their second straight win at the ACHA Showcase, defeating #17 University of Utah 4-2 on Saturday afternoon at Canlan Sports in Romeoville, Illinois. With the victory, Minot State improves to 11-1-1, while Utah falls to 8-7-1.
 
The Beavers exploded out of the gate with three goals in the opening period. Walker Jerome opened the scoring just 34 seconds into the game with assists from Logan Rands and Reece Henry. Utah tied the game at 2:52 into the period on a goal from Jake Laurila, but Minot State responded quickly. Colby Joseph scored on the power play at 8:37 into the period, assisted by Rands and Matthew Yakubowski, to put the Beavers back in front. Joseph struck again while shorthanded at 12:37 into the period, assisted by Rands, converting a breakaway opportunity to extend the lead to 3-1 after one.
 
Minot State added to its lead in the second period when Joey Moffatt scored at 9:41 into the period with assists from Yakubowski and Jay Buchholz, making it 4-1 through two periods.
 
Utah cut the deficit to 4-2 at 13:35 into the third period on a goal from Ripley Garden, but the Beavers held strong defensively the rest of the way to secure the win.
 
Utah finished with a 30-29 advantage in shots on goal. Minot State's William Dyke delivered another solid performance in net with 28 saves on 30 shots, improving his record to 9-1-1.
 
Minot State went 1-for-5 on the power play, while Utah finished 0-for-6 on the man advantage.
 
The Beavers conclude their ACHA Showcase appearance on Sunday, November 23, at 11:50 am against Arizona State University.