Emma Buee/MDN Majette Sydney Bartsch (11) looks to pass the puck while a Mandan Brave defender in black approaches to steal the puck.

The Minot High Majettes faced off with the Mandan Braves for the first time this season. The Majettes hosted the Braves at the Maysa Arena. Mandan held a 10-3 (win-loss) record going into the game compared to Minot Highs 9-4 record. With both teams close on paper it was a battle for Braves to pull away with the 4-3 win.

The game started with the Majettes quickly setting the pace minutes into the game. Minot High started putting shots on the goal immediately while Mandan was putting up penalties. Dakota Swearing for the Braves faced a two minute penalty 26 seconds into the game for tripping.

The Majettes scored the first goal of the game two and a half minutes into the first period. Sydnee Bartsch with assists from Karmyn Garaas and Yvonne Slind brought in Minot High’s first goal.

Minot High also picked up a minor penalty soon after. The Majettes managed to keep the Braves out of their goal just long enough for the Braves to get their own penalty. Minot High took advantage and scored a power play goal on Mandan. Brynn Hanson with the help of Ava Beda and Slind earned Minot High their second point of the game.

The second period of the game was played a little slower. With a girl out due to penalty, Minot High struggled to keep the Braves away from the net. Between lots of tiring defense and the Majettes’ skilled goalie, Promesa Phelps, six shots were deflected.

Minot High fended off the Braves long enough for Mandan to pick up another penalty. With the advantage over the Braves, Minot High passed around the puck to open up a shot. Slind brought in a power play goal with an assist from Brynn Hansen.

After taking a couple more futile shots the Majette’s ended the second period with a 3-0 lead over the Braves.

Mandan showed up for some hockey in the last period of the game. Less than a minute in, the Braves made their first goal of the game. McKenzie Yantzer, with the help of Afton Leingang and Swearingen, brought in Mandans first goal 25 seconds into the third period.

The Majettes worked hard but couldn’t keep the Braves away from the goal. Mandan worked their way back to the goal and earned themselves another point. Tessa Rabenitsch with a nasty swing and a little assistance from Adrianna Kautzman and Abby Ross scored one more goal for the Braves.

not High held Mandan off for the rest of the game. The Majettes made a few more successful shots but kept their 3-2 lead until the Braves took a shot with ten seconds left in the final period. With Yantzer out for a 10 minute boarding penalty, Leingang made a short handed goal, Kautzman on the assist.

In overtime the Majettes immediately picked up two penalties, giving the advantage to the Braves. Down a man, Mandan’s Leingang, with an asissist from Ross made the game winning goal.

Minot High couldn’t hold their lead and lost 4-3 to Mandan in the end.

Thursday, February 13 the Majettes will travel to play the Devils Lake Firebirds. Minot’s Maysa Arena will then host the Dickinson Midgets Saturday, February 15, with the puck dropping at 1:30 p.m.