MINOT, N.D. – The top-ranked Minot State hockey team flexed some muscle in a top-five tussle Friday night.
Bouncing back strong from their first loss of the season a week ago, the top-ranked Beavers (14-1-0 overall) took control midway through the game against visiting and fifth-ranked Central Oklahoma, rolling to an 8-1 victory at the Maysa Arena.
The same two teams meet again Saturday at 7:30 p.m., wrapping up their weekend series at the Maysa Arena.
Early on, the game was a close contest as Minot State got a power-play goal from Reid Arnold for a 1-0 lead after the first period, and grabbed a 2-0 edge on a Drew Carter goal with 4 minutes, 19 seconds gone in the second period.
Central Oklahoma (18-4-0) cut that lead in half with a power-play goal of its own with 7:08 left in the second period, then it was all Beavers.
Troy Hamilton and Sheldin Howard each scored, giving Minot State some breathing room on top 4-1 after two periods, then, Howard and Hamilton each scored in the third period for a commanding 6-1 lead.
Christian Kadolph and Austin Wieler added a power-play goal apiece for the Beavers who cruised to the win.
Minot State goalie Riley Wallace added 27 saves in the victory for the Beavers.
