MINOT, ND - In a meeting between two of the nation's top teams in their respective divisions, homestanding Minot State University edged the University of Mary 5-2 in the opening game of a weekend home and home series between the two programs.
UMary is the top-ranked ACHA Division II team in the nation. Minot State is the defending ACHA Division I national champion and ranks second in the country. The Marauders are 24-4 overall. The Beavers are 15-1.
Zach Garrett gave the Marauders a quick 1-0 lead, finding the net just 3:26 into the game. Less than a minute later the Beavers found the equalizer on the first of two Blake Fournier goals in the opening period.
Minot State scored the only goal of the second period and tallied the opening counter of the third to build a 4-1 advantage.
Kyler Moore cut the gap to 4-2 before the Beavers salted the game away with a final goal at 9:15 of the third period.
Marshall Tschida posted a pair of assists for the Marauders.
Matt Winkle and
Alex Flicek also added assists for UMary.
Lance Knudson made 31 saves for UMary. Joshua Bykowski stopped 21 shots for the Beavers.
The Marauders and the Beavers round out the weekend Saturday, Dec. 7, when the two teams meet at the Schwan Cadillac Rink at Starion Sports Complex in Mandan, ND.
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