MARLBOROUGH, Mass. - Troy Hamilton scored 12 minutes, 8 seconds into overtime, lifting the No. 1 Minot State men’s hockey team to a 4-3 win over eighth-ranked Indiana Tech in the quarterfinals of the ACHA National Tournament on Sunday night.
“What a game to be a part of,” Minot State head coach Wyatt Waselenchuk said. “We stuck true to our game plan like we have all year. Keep doing the little things, and good things will happen.
“Even though we carried the play most of the way, their goaltender was phenomenal,” Minot State’s coach added. “It’s a good wake-up call for us. Every team here is good, and on any given day - anyone can beat anyone.
“Survive and advance.”
With the win the Beavers advance to face a familiar foe in Liberty (Va.) in the semifinals Monday night at 7 p.m. (CT). The two teams met four times this season with Minot State winning three of the four contests.
After rolling to an opening 8-0 win at nationals on Friday night, it look like things would be easy for the Beavers again Sunday as Reece Henry and Drew Carter scored 19 seconds apart midway through the first period.
With Minot State set to break the game open, instead, Indiana Tech goalie Ty Barnhill clamped down, allowing just one early third-period goal to the Beavers and setting his team up for a comeback. Barnhill finished with 45 saves.
Indiana Tech’s comeback started as the Warriors scored with 6:33 left in first, then they netted the lone goal of the second period, sending the game into the third period tied 2-2.
Minot State (33-3-0 overall) tried to break free as Carter Barley scored a power-play goal with 4:37 gone in the third, but a determined Warrior squad tied it with 3:11 left in regulation to force overtime.
Equally determined, Minot State thwarted Indiana Tech’s upset intentions as Jake Anthony made three overtime saves before Hamilton netted the winner with 12:08 gone in the extra session and sent the Beavers into the semifinals.
Davis Sheldon and Connor Navrot assisted on the OT winner, while Reid Arnold, Josh Pederson, Landyn Cochrane, Joey Moffatt, Christian Kadolph, and Barley added assists on the other Minot State goals in the win.
