MINOT, ND – The rivalry on the ice between the University of Mary and Minot State University may be new but hard-fought excitement and exhilaration has quickly set in between the two programs. Tied after regulation for the second straight meeting, the Beavers scored the game-winning goal with 1:11 left in overtime to claim a 3-2 victory over the visiting Marauders.
 
After the Beavers opened the series with a win on Minot State's home ice, the Marauders forged a 1-1 draw the next game. Game three proved just as exciting.
 
Neither team generated much of an attack in the first period as the two squads combined for nine shots and no goals.
 
The Marauders opened the scoring 2:59 into the second when Andrew Heckaman scored with an assist on the goal for Zachery Garrett. The lead proved short-lived as the Beavers countered exactly one minute later on a tally by Connor Navrot.
 
Minot State claimed their first lead of the game at 7:18 of the third period on a Shain Scheschuk.
 
Despite being outshot 20-9 in the third period, the Marauders made their attempts count. Taking advantage of two Minot State players and one UMary skater in the penalty box, Garrett found the net for a power play goal at 15:26 to knot the game at 2-2 and force overtime. Ben Kottmeier and team assist leader Marshall Tschida both were awarded assists.
 
The Beavers captured the overtime win – which doesn't affect the Marauders overall loss record -when Rhett Lough scored at 3:49 of the extra session.
 
Aaron Nelson set a UMary team record for saves, stopping 42 of the 45 shots he faced in the game. Breydan Effertz posted 24 saves on 26 shots.
 
In a free-flowing game, the Marauders were called for just two penalties for four minutes while the Beavers were whistled four times for eight minutes.
 
Playing their inaugural campaign, the Marauders are 31-3-2-1 overall and ranked first overall in the ACHA Division II West region. The Beavers, ranked 12^th in the country in the latest ACHA Division I poll, played in the national semifinals the last two seasons.
 
The two teams conclude a home-and-home weekend series on the Marauders home ice in Mandan, ND, at the Schwan Cadillac Arena at Starion Sports Complex on Saturday, Jan. 12, at 7 pm.
 
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