Kari Gibb/MDN Minot High senior Aiden Diehl (14) puts a shot on goal in the first period of play against Dickinson in WDA Tournament quarterfinal action on Thursday, February 20, at Maysa Arena.

The 2024-2025 Western Dakota Association (WDA) Boys Hockey Tournament kicked off at the Maysa Arena on Thursday, February 20, with quarterfinal games all day. The tournament continues today with semifinal games this evening.

No. 1 Minot High 7, No. 9 Dickinson 1

Minot High had 39 shots on goal compared to seven for the Midgets in game one of the WDA Tournament at the Maysa Arena. With the win, the Magicians will face the Blue Jays today at 5 p.m. in the first of two semifinal games.

Minot High was on the board first at the 9:20 mark of the first period when Oliver Thompson hit an even strength goal with Teegan Strand on the assist. At the 13:41 mark, Mackley Morelli scored a short handed goal for the 2-0 lead with Easton Panasuk on the assist.

While the celebration was still happening in the student section, Collin Butz found the power play goal at the 14:07 mark for the Midgets. The first period ended with the Magicians holding the 2-1 lead. Minot High outshot Dickinson 15-3 in the first while each team had one penalty.

The second period was all Minot High. Panasuk found the net after just 18-seconds of play for the even strength goal. Rylan Roteliuk and Morelli were on the assists. Morelli scored his second of the match at the 7:44 mark on a power play goal with Panasuk and Aiden Diehl on the assists as the Magicians led 4-1 with half ot he second period remaining.

Easton Bradley scored next for Minot High at the 12:24 mark on an even strength shot. Oliver Deschamp and Hudson Cope were on the assists. Morelli scored his second short handed goal of the game for his hat-trick at the 15:37 mark with Panasuk on the assist. Minot High increased their lead to 6-1 with one period left to play.

The Magicians outshot the Midgets 10-4 in the second while both teams had two penalties assessed.

Roteliuk scored the only goal of the third period at 5:07 for the 7-1 lead that ended up as the final score. Panasuk and Morelli had the assists on the goal. Neither team had penalties in the third and Minot High had 14 shots on goal compared to zero for Dickinson.

Devon Keller sat the net for the Magicians and had six saves on the seven shots faced in the matchup.

Minot High moved into the semifinal round today and will face Jamestown at 5 p.m.

No. 5 Jamestown 8, No. 4 Mandan 2

The fifth seeds from Jamestown upset the fourth seeded Mandan Braves in the quarterfinals on Thursday, February 20, at the Maysa Arena.

The Blue Jays had 26 shots on goal compared to 18 by the Braves. Jamestown scored two goals in the first period, three in the second and three more for good measure in the third period of play. Mandan scored one goal in the second and one in the third as Jamestown never trailed.

Mandan had three penalties in the game while Jamestown had two.

The Blue Jays move to the semifinal round against the Magicians today at 5 p.m. while Mandan plays Dickinson on the consolation side of the WDA Tournament bracket.