MINOT, N.D. – After opening the weekend with a 3-1 victory over Arizona State, the Minot State men's hockey team completed the sweep on Sunday night, rallying from a 4-3 deficit to score four unanswered goals in the third period and defeat the Sun Devils 7-4 at Maysa Arena.
With the victory, the Beavers move to 2-0 to begin the season.
Minot State struck first when Joey Moffatt opened the scoring, with Austin Clyne and Colby Joseph picking up assists.
Arizona State quickly answered, however, scoring three unanswered goals to take a 3-1 lead. The Sun Devils scored once in the first period before adding two more goals in the second to put the Beavers in an early hole.
But Minot State wasn't done fighting.
Matthew Yakubowski cut the deficit to one with a power-play goal, assisted by Colby Joseph. Just 33 seconds later, Yakubowski struck again, this time with assists from Sheldin Howard and Cooper Kasprick, bringing the Beavers tied at 3-3.
Arizona State regained the lead with just 32 seconds remaining in the second period, sending the Beavers into the final period trailing 4-3.
Then came the comeback.
Just 5:29 into the third period, Colton Getzlaff found the back of the net to tie the game at 4-4, with Sheldin Howard and Cooper Kasprick providing the assists.
Four minutes later, Walker Jerome gave Minot State the lead with a goal assisted by Logan Cyca and Sean Williams.
The Beavers continued to pour it on as Anthony McIntosh extended the lead, with Kasprick recording his third assist of the night and Getzlaff also earning an assist.
With just 14 seconds remaining, Ryley Cyca put the finishing touch on the comeback, scoring to make it 7-4. Getzlaff and Mathew Ronn assisted on the goal.
Blake Sittler made 17 saves on 21 shots in goal for the Beavers.
Minot State now hits the road for three consecutive games against Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri. The Beavers will face Maryville at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, followed by a 7 p.m. matchup Friday, Oct. 2, before wrapping up the series at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3.
