ATHENS COUNTY, OH - The #1 ranked Minot State Beavers men's hockey team defeated #3 Ohio University in a shootout with a final score of 6-5 in game one of a two-game series on Saturday, February 15. With the win, the Beavers improve their record to 32-2-3, while Ohio University drops to 17-3-3. 

The Beavers got on the board early on a Sheldin Howard goal scored only 7 seconds into the first period. At 1:40 into the period, Ohio answered back with a goal of their own, scored by Barron Stibbe, to tie the game at 1-1. Ohio took a 1-2 lead at 7:32 into the period on a short handed goal scored by Drake Nabozny. At 8:58 into the period, the Beavers tied the game back up at 2-2 on a goal scored by Joey Moffatt. Before the end of the first period, Minot State took a 3-2 lead at 16:27 into the period on a power play goal scored by Colby Joseph. 

Similar to the first period, the Beavers opened up the scoring early into the second period, taking a 4-2 lead on a goal scored by Reece Henry 32 seconds into the period. At 12:14 into the period, Ohio cut Minot State's lead down to 4-3 on a goal scored by Will Cohen. 

At 7:50 into the third period, Minot State took a 5-3 lead on a goal scored by Brett Tataryn. At 19:13 into the period, Ohio cut the Beavers lead down to 5-4 on a goal scored by Drake Nabozny, his second goal in the game. With just 10 seconds left in the game, Ohio tied the game at 5-5 on a goal scored by Mathieu Ovaert to send the game into overtime. 

Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the overtime period, sending this game to a shootout. 

Sheldin Howard went first for the Beavers in the shootout, and was able to score to give Minot State an early advantage. Mathieu Ovaert went first for Ohio in the shootout and was denied by the Beaver's goalie, Jake Anthony. Christian Kadolph went second for the Beavers in the shootout and was denied by Ohio's goalie, Scott Bird. Laker Aldridge went second for Ohio in the shootout and was denied by Jake Anthony. Joey Moffatt went third for the Beavers in the shootout and was denied by Scott Bird. With the game on the line, Barron Stibbe went third for Ohio in the shootout and he was able to score to send the shootout to a fourth round. Colby Joseph went fourth for the Beavers in the shootout and he was able to score to give Minot State the advantage. With the game on the line, once again, Nolan Abraham went fourth in the shootout for Ohio and he was denied by Jake Anthony to give Minot State the 6-5 win.

Reid Arnold (2), Christian Kadolph, Brayden Pawluk, Matthew Yakubowski, Sheldin Howard, and Josh Pederson were credited with assists in the game. Jake Anthony led the way in goal for the Beavers, tallying 38 saves on 43 shots on goal to secure the victory, improving his record to 18-2-2. 

Following the 6-5 victory in a shootout against #3 Ohio University, the Beavers will be back in action tomorrow, Sunday, February 16, against Ohio University in game two of a two-game series in Athens County, Ohio, at 2:00 pm.