MARLBOROUGH, Mass. – Game No. 1, no problem.
Following the example set by the Minot State women one night before, the top-ranked Minot State men’s hockey team steam-rolled to a first-round, shutout win at the ACHA National Tournament.
Getting goals from eight different players, the Beavers beat No. 17 Michigan-Dearborn, 8-0 on Friday night.
On Thursday, the third-ranked Minot State women rolled past Miami (Ohio) 7-0 in their ACHA National opener.
“I thought we played pretty well top to bottom,” Minot State coach Wyatt Waselenchuk said. “I do think we got a little sloppy in our D-zone at times, but some big blocked shots and timely saves from Jake Anthony kept them at bay.
“They are a good team over there and to have that kind of outcome is a great start,” Minot State’s coach added. “Hopefully, a nice confidence boost for Sunday.”
With the win, the Beavers (32-3-0 overall) move into the quarterfinals on Sunday night at 7 p.m. (CT) against the winner of Saturday night’s first-round matchup between No. 9 Maryvillle (Mo.) and No. 8 Indiana Tech.
Jay Buchholz got the onslaught started, scoring the eventual game-winner with 5 minutes, 49 seconds gone in the first period off assists from Sheldin Howard and Joey Moffatt.
Troy Hamilton pushed the lead to 2-0 just 3:03 later off assists from Wayde Johannesson and Connor Navrot, then Beavers captain Davis Sheldon scored with 3:57 left before the first intermission off a Brayden Pawluk assist, and the rout was underway.
Cochrane pushed the lead with 4-0 midway through the second period, then Pawluk and Drew Carter scored 20 seconds apart for a commanding 6-0 advantage at the end of two periods.
Reece Henry and Buchholz assisted on Cochrane’s goal, Minot State goalie Jake Anthony assisted on Pawluk’s goal, and Cochrane and Christian Kadolph assisted on Carter’s goal.
Minot State then got third-period goals from Moffatt and Reid Arnold to ice the win. Eric Soar and Buchholz assisted on Moffatt’s goal, and Sheldon and Moffatt set up Arnold’s final score.
Anthony finished with 16 saves in goal for the Beavers, recording his fifth shutout of the season.
