MINOT, N.D. – The top-ranked Beavers turned it on in their 2026 Maysa Arena debut Friday night, skating away from a feisty Midland team.

The Minot State men's hockey team built a 3-0 lead, weathered a quick charge by the 17^th-ranked Midland Warriors, and picked up a 5-2 win in Midwest Collegiate Hockey conference action.

The same two teams face off again at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday night, at Maysa Arena to wrap up their weekend series.

After a scoreless first period, the Beavers (16-1-1-1 overall, 8-1-1-1 MCH) jumped in front as Sheldin Howard scored 6 minutes, 21 seconds into the second period, then Slade Stanick scored his first of the season with 5:16 left until the intermission for a 2-0 lead.

Then, 49 seconds into the third, Joey Moffatt stretched the lead to 3-0, seemingly icing the victory.

But Midland (7-12-3-1, 5-8-3-1) had different ideas as a pair of goals just 2:33 apart, midway through the third period, made things interesting.

It stayed close into the final two minutes before Trenton Curtis scored with 1:59 left to play, then Logan Cyca did ice the win, making it 5-2 with 45 seconds left on the clock.

Freshman Beaver goalie Blake Sittler finished with 14 saves in goal to improve to a perfect 4-0 in his Minot State career.