Kari Gibb/MDN MSU sophomore Paige Kozak (18) had three goals in two games to help the Lady Beavers sweep Niagara University over the weekend in Minot.

The sixth ranked Minot State University (MSU) Beavers women’s hockey team shutout Niagara University 2-0 in game two on Sunday, January 26, to secure the series sweep. With the win, the Beavers improve their record to 18-7-2, while Niagara University falls to 7-10-2.

Neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first period as both goalies were perfect throughout the first 20 minutes of play. Niagara’s goalie, Mackenzie Addley, tallied 16 saves on 16 shots on goal, and MSU’s goalie, Haylie Biever tallied eight saves on eight shots on goal.

The Beavers took a 1-0 lead at 17:13 into the second period on a goal scored by Paige Kozak. Biever remained perfect in goal for the Beavers in the second period, tallying seven saves on seven shots on goal.

At 16:08 into the third period, Minot State extended their lead to 2-0 on a goal scored by Marlie Rutherford. Biever was flawless, once again, in the third period, tallying 13 saves on 13 shots on goal, to secure the 2-0 shutout victory.

Abby Pineau (2), Olivia Opheim and Erica Fijala were credited with assists in the game. Biever led the way in goal for the Beavers, tallying 28 saves on 28 shots on goal to secure the shutout and improve her record to 7-5-2.

Following the two-game series sweep over Niagara University, the Beavers will be back in action on the road in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for a two-game series against the University of Minnesota.

Game one is scheduled for Saturday, February 1, at 6:30 pm, and game two is scheduled for Sunday, February 2, at 1:00 pm.

MSU Women 4, Niagara University 1

The No. 6 ranked MSU Beavers women’s hockey team took down Niagara University in game one of a two-game series on Saturday, January 25, by a final score of 4-1.

Both teams were left scoreless in the first period as Niagara’s goalie, Mackenzie Addley, tallied 13 saves on 13 shots on goal, and MSU’s goalie, Jillian Ackerman, tallied seven saves on seven shots on goal.

Niagara took a 0-1 lead at 0:28 into the second period on a goal scored by Niagara’s goalie, Mackenzie Addley. The Beavers tied the game at 1-1 at 0:44 into the period on Marlie Rutherford’s first collegiate goal.

At 15:11 into the period, the Beavers took a 2-1 lead on a power play goal scored by Abby Pineau. MSU extended their lead to 3-1 at 18:42 into the period on a power play goal scored by Paige Kozak.

At 16:33 into the third period, the Beavers extended their lead to 4-1 on Paige Kozak’s second goal of the game. Ackerman held Niagara scoreless in the third period, tallying ten saves on ten shots on goal, to secure the 4-1 victory for MSU.

Krissy Rink, Paige Kozak, Payton Lang, Paige Ackerman, Cameron Schmidt and Makena Welby (2) were credited with assists in the game. MSU’s goalie, J. Ackerman tallied 27 saves on 28 shots on goal to secure the victory and improve her record to 5-1-0.