Midland Falls to Top-Ranked Minot State

MINOT, N.D. — No. 17 Midland University traveled to Minot, North Dakota, to face No. 1 Minot State University in a weekend series on Friday and Saturday. Minot State's hot start forces Midland to drop the series.

FRIDAY: No. 1 Minot State 5, Midland 2

After a scoreless first period from both teams, the Beavers got on the board in the second period with an early goal at 6:21 to take a 1-0 lead. Minot State added another goal before the period ended at 14:44 to extend the lead to 2-0.

The Beavers opened the third period with an early goal at 49 seconds to push their lead to 3-0. Tommy Babb got the Warriors on the board at 9:58 with a goal assisted by Jack Olson. A few minutes later, Leo Milan capitalized on a power play, scoring with an assist from Brady Wicklund to cut the deficit to 3-2. Minot State added two more insurance goals late in the period at 18:04 and 19:15 to secure a 5-2 victory.

SATURDAY: No. 1 Minot State 4, Midland 1

Minot State struck first with back-to-back goals at 6:45 and 7:30 of the first period to take a 2-0 lead.

The Beavers added another goal in the second period at 9:31 to go up 3-0. Midland responded at 17:07 as Ethan Brown converted a power play with assists from Tommy Babb and Karl Grafelman, making it 3-1.

Minot State capped the scoring with an early third-period goal at 2:22, resulting in a 4-1 road victory.

Midland (6-15-1) will take a week off before traveling to Bismarck, North Dakota, for a weekend series against UMary (19-8) on Jan. 30-31. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. Saturday.