ST. LOUIS, Mo. – An unforgettable opening night at the ACHA National Tournament for the No. 1-ranked Minot State University (MSU) men’s hockey team ended happily one day later.

Hitting the ice Friday night for their first game at nationals against No. 17 Purdue Northwest, the Beavers grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first period before a tornado warning postponed play until Saturday afternoon, March 15.

Back on the ice about 19 hours after the first intermission began, the Beavers (37-4-1 overall) played unfazed by the day-long delay as MSU skated to a 4-1 win and into a Sunday quarterfinal matchup against an opponent yet to be determined.

MSU will play the winner of Saturday night’s late game between No. 9 Drury and No. 8 Utah. Puck-drop for the Beavers’ quarterfinal game Sunday night is scheduled for 8 p.m.

Christian Kadolph scored off an assist from Slade Stanick with 5 minutes, 14 seconds left in the first period, giving the Beavers the 1-0 lead after the first period, then the tornado warning put action on hold.

When both teams returned to the ice Saturday afternoon, it took MSU just 1:15 to pad its lead as Colby Joseph scored off assists from Walker Jerome and Logan Cyca, which proved to be the game-winner.

Brett Tataryn stretched the lead to 3-0, finishing off assists from Austin Clyne and Stanick midway through the session before the Pride got on the board with a power-play goal with 6:14 left on the third.

Purdue Northwest would not get any closer, though, as MSU’s Josh Pederson iced the win midway through the third period, finishing off the third assist of the night by Stanick.

Jake Anthony made 25 saves in goal in the win for the Beavers.

MSU is 11-1 all-time against Utah, though the teams have not met since February 29, 2020, an 8-1 Beaver win at home. MSU and Drury have never played. Utah and Drury were scheduled to play at 9:45 p.m. Saturday night.