MINOT, N.D. -- A promising start to Alumni Weekend ended bitter sweet for the Minot State Beavers hockey team. The weekend kicked off with the Beavers getting revenge on the team that knocked them out of the National Tournament in March, the Illinois Fighting Illini. Midway through the first period the Beavers got themselves into penalty trouble, however, goaltender Josh Bykowski came up huge when they needed him. Bykowski reached out and stoned Illini forward Kacper Ryba back door with the glove to keep it scoreless. The Beavers used the save as momentum with sophomore Adam Wowryk making a no-look pass to freshman forward Davis Sheldon. Sheldon proceeded to fake a move on the forehand and put the puck past the outstretched Illini goalie for his 3rd goal of the season, giving the Beavers the 1-0 Minot State. Throughout the 2nd period it was a goalie duel, with both teams unable to score. In the third period, Justin Ries of the Illini, deadlocked it at one a-piece. Overtime was needed; this marked the third time the Beavers entered the extra frame this season. In overtime, senior Eric Bollefer came through in the clutch for the Beavers. Sitting on zero goals on the season, Bollefer came down the wing on a 2-on-1 and ripped a shot under the blocker of Illini goaltender Jake Barnhart, giving the Beavers a 2-1 win. Head Coach Wade Regier had this to say of his former captain in the Minot Daily News,

“He’s been waiting 5 years to score a goal like that. Probably one of the biggest goals of his career, it was a huge win for us”.

Josh Bykowski stopped 28 shots in the win.

On Friday, a breakout from the Beavers offence finally transpired as the offence exploded for double digits, beating the Utah Skating Utes 10-2. The Beavers showed off their depth with 10 different goal scorers finding the back of the net. Freshman Grayson Neufeld scored his first ever ACHA goal. Shain Scheschuk, Rhett Lough, Eric Bollefer, Dylan Johnson, Cody Longie, Connor Navrot, Justin Metcalf, and Davis Sheldon also scored in the win. It was the third straight win on home ice. Minot native Brey Effertz earned his first win of the season stopping 13 of 15, improving his record to 1-0-1 on the campaign.

On Saturday, however, it was the complete opposite has the Beavers offence ran into a red-hot Utes goaltender in Jacob Slough. Coming into the game with a goals-against average of 10.88, Slough stole the show, frustrating the Beavers by stopping 41 of 42 shots he faced. The Utah Utes found themselves up 3-0 eight minutes into the third period after Utes defenceman Tristan Leberknight tapped in a back-door opportunity. Minot State head coach Wade Regier tried to change momentum by giving goaltender Holden Kurtz the rare hook, replacing Kurtz with Joshua Bykowski. Just over a minute and a half into the third period, transfer defenceman Cody Longie brought the stunned crowd back to life when he snuck in from the point and finally solved Slough. The Beavers pushed the play and controlled most of the third period but couldn’t find the back of the net the rest of the night. This marked just the second loss on home ice for the Beavers since 2014.

Next up, the Beavers will have a home and home matchup with the Williston Tetons. Thursday Oct 18th in Minot, with the Beavers traveling to Williston on Saturday the 20th for a return trip. The Beavers then hit the road to take on the always tough Iowa Cyclones next weekend. Be sure to come support the Beavers tomorrow as they look to get back on track. 

Blake Friars                                                                                                                                                                                                              Broadcasting Junior                                                                                                                                                                                                 The Voice of Beaver Hockey