SPRINGFIELD, MO – After falling to Drury University 3-2 in overtime Friday night, the Minot State men's hockey team bounced back Saturday with a 6-4 victory over the Panthers. With the win, the Beavers improve to 4-0-1 overall on the season.
Joey Moffatt opened the scoring for the Beavers in the first period, finding the back of the net on a power play. Colby Joseph and Matthew Yakubowski were credited with assists on the goal.
Minot State added to the lead with another power-play goal, this time from Walker Jerome with 5 minutes, 34 seconds remaining in the opening period. Moffatt recorded the assist.
The Beavers carried a 2-0 lead into the second period, but Drury responded with a goal to cut the deficit to 2-1. The Panthers' goal was the only score of the second period.
The third period featured seven combined goals as both teams traded scoring chances.
Ty Plaisier opened the scoring in the third period 1 minute, 40 seconds into the frame, with Trenton Curtis earning the assist to extend the Beavers' lead to 3-1.
Moffatt then scored his second goal of the night roughly five minutes later, assisted by Joseph, giving Minot State a 4-1 advantage.
Drury responded with a pair of goals, scoring with 5 minutes, 45 seconds remaining before adding another goal 2 minutes, 15 seconds later to cut the Beavers' lead to 4-3.
Colton Getzlaff answered with an unassisted goal late in the period to give Minot State a two-goal cushion at 5-3.
The Panthers continued to battle, scoring with 40 seconds remaining to make it a one-goal game once again.
With Drury pulling their goaltender for an extra attacker, Colby Joseph sealed the victory for the Beavers with an unassisted empty-net goal with just two seconds remaining.
Minot State goaltender Jase Wareham finished the night with 25 saves on 29 shots (0.862 save percentage).
The Beavers return home for a two-game series against Briercrest College at Maysa Arena. Minot State will face Briercrest at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, and again at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10.
