No. 2 Warriors Drop Game to No. 4 Minot State

MINOT, N.D. – It was a matchup of longtime rivals on the ice this weekend as No. 2-ranked Midland University traveled to face No. 4-ranked Minot State University in a two-game series. The two sides skated to a scoreless overtime tie, 0-0, on Friday. Saturday's contest saw the Beavers edge the Warriors, 2-1, on their home ice inside Maysa Arena.

Natalie Rampton earned the shutout in goal for the Warriors in the series opener, stopping all 29 shots she faced. Midland held the edge on special teams with three power-play opportunities and outshot Minot State, 37-29.

On Saturday, the Warriors again had the advantage in power-play chances, earning five opportunities to the Beavers' two, with both teams converting once. Minot State scored twice in the opening period, including a goal in the final minute, to take a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. The Beavers maintained that advantage through the second period.

In the final frame, Taylor Bell found the back of the net at the 12:53 mark off a feed from Grace Page and Haley Blaine. Midland was unable to net the equalizer over the final seven minutes of play, falling 2-1.

Rampton finished with 26 saves in the loss as Minot State outshot Midland, 28-24.

Midland (22-4-3) will look to bounce back next weekend with a single-game matchup against Colorado State on Friday, Feb. 6, inside Sidner Ice Arena in Fremont, Neb.