From Minot Daily News

By Alex Eisen

Avenging a 4-1 road defeat from over two months ago on Sept. 28, the No. 4-ranked Minot State women’s hockey team flipped the outcome Friday evening on the No. 11-ranked University of Colorado Buffaloes.

The Beavers (8-3-0) won 4-2 Friday at Maysa Arena in an ACHA Division I affair.

“We didn’t want to remind the girls too much of that last series (against Colorado) because, yeah, it was tough, but it was also early,” MSU head coach Ryan Miner said. “We were over it. But we made sure we stressed this week about complacency and making sure we played a full 60 minutes.”

Missed chances haunted both teams in the opening period.

MSU forward Mackenzie Balogh clanked the left post first. Colorado forward Maura Kieft found the right post minutes later on the power play. Lastly, Camryn Clyne completed the trifecta by clipping the crossbar for the Beavers.

With 5:44 left in the first period, Morgan McIver got to the front of the net to finally push the puck across the line. Her third goal of the season was assisted by Sidney Browne and Mariah Dally.

The Buffaloes (10-4-0) took the 1-0 advantage into the first intermission with the shots on goal even at six apiece.

“We had a slow start and weren’t moving our feet,” Miner said. “But, definitely, the second period we picked it up and played our game.”

MSU forged ahead with three unanswered goals in the second period.

Mackenzie Balogh tied the game with a power-play slap shot from the blue line. Less than two minutes later, Maiya Aschberg gave the Beavers the lead with a 4-on-4 goal.

The third tally came with just 12 seconds left in the second period, as Balogh notched her second goal of the game off a favorable rebound in front. Defender Cassidy Entz had the initial shot.

“Cass (Entz) had a perfect shot on net for a rebound,” Balogh said. “There were four bodies in front, and I just kind of whacked it home.”

Sami Jo Henry hit another crossbar to start the third period.

“That’s a part of hockey,” Miner said. “Sometimes the hockey gods aren’t on your side. The chances were there. They just didn’t go into the net. It could have been a higher scoring game. But sometimes that just happens.”

Catching another bad break, the puck snuck behind MSU goaltender Jordan Ivanco to get the Buffaloes within a goal with 10:44 remaining. Kieft was credited with the goal.

Ensley Fendelet secured the Beavers’ 4-2 victory by roofing the puck into the top of the net with 4:29 to go.

MSU outshot Colorado 38-22.

“We wanted to beat them because we kind of owed them one,” Balogh said. “We need to keep the momentum we had in the second and third period of this game. If we carry that into tomorrow, then we should be fine.”

The Beavers host the Buffaloes again at 5 p.m. this evening at Maysa Arena.

(Originally published at https://www.minotdailynews.com/sports/local-sports/2019/12/three-goal-second-period-lifts-msu-womens-hockey-over-colorado/)