Kari Gibb/MDN Minot High senior Easton Panasuk (11) in previous action, was one of three Magicians with two goals in the quarterfinal win at the 2024-2025 NDHSAA Boys Hockey Tournament in Grand Forks on Thursday, February 27.

GRAND FORKS – The Minot High Magi played Fargo Davies in the first round of the state championship. Minot High went into the tournament as the top ranked team from the west region, Fargo Davies is the fourth ranked team from the east region. Minot High beat Fagro Davies earlier in the season 8-5 and had high hopes going into the game.

Minot High started the game off slow with only a few shots in the first period. Well into the second period the Magi let loose and dominated the period with four goals. Minot High continued to play dominantly and won the game 6-1 with two more goals in the final period of the game.

The Magi started the game with the first shots on the goal. The Eagles decided to start the first period aggressive and took the first penalty of the game from Dom Deibert for slashing. With a man down, Fargo Davies still managed to put a couple shots on Minot High’s goal.

Both teams played through the first period trying to get a feel for the game and only taking a few shots. The first period ended 0-0. The Magi took seven shots on the goal, the Eagles followed behind with five shots.

The Eagles took the first shots of the second period, the Magi fired back immediately. Six minutes into the second period Cole Richeson earned Minot High their first goal of the game.

The Magi kept putting shots on the goal and less then two minutes after the first the Magi earned their second point. Eight Minutes into the period Easton Panasuk, with assists from Rylan Roteliuk and Cade Erhart, made Minot High’s second goal of the night.

Fargo Davies picked up their second penalty, a major from Luke Voeller, and gave Minot HIgh the opportunity to score. Panasuk, with assists from Carter Coleman and Aidan Diehl, took advantage of the Eagles penalty and scored a power play goal in the second period.

Minutes later the Magi still with advantage scored another power play goal. Coleman, with assists from Richeson and Paxton Packulak, earned Minot High their third goal of the game.

Fargo Davies’ Logan Spiewak, made their first goal of the game with only minutes left of the second period. Seconds after the goal the Magi’s Mackley Morelli collected his team’s first penalty of the game. Minot High defended their 4-1 lead through the end of the second period

Minot High got down to business early in the third period. Richeson with assists from Panasuk and Morelli, earned the Magi their fifth point of the game.

With minutes left of the game Panasuk earned a two minute penalty for roughing. Minot High’s Coleman with an assist from Diehl pulled off a short handed goal for the Magi. Minot High held off the Eagles in the last moments of the game and won the first round 6-1.

The Magi advanced to the semifinal round today and will face either the Grand Forks Rough Riders or the Mandan Braves in the second semifinal match for a shot at the state championship.