No. 5 Warriors Drop Opening Game of WMCH Tournament

O'FALLON, Ill. – No. 5-ranked Midland University faced a familiar foe on Thursday morning, taking on No. 6-ranked Minot State University in the opening game of the Women's Midwest College Hockey (WMCH) Tournament. The teams, meeting for the seventh time this season, battled inside the McKendree Metro Rec Plex. The fifth-seeded Beavers capitalized on a pair of power-play goals to secure a 4-2 victory over the fourth-seeded Warriors.

Minot State struck first just before the midway point of the opening period, scoring on a 5-on-3 advantage. Midland killed off the remainder of the penalty before earning a power play of its own.

The Warriors wasted no time, finding the back of the net just 14 seconds into the man advantage. Grace Page scored off an assist from Makara Magbanua at the 11:29 mark to tie the game at 1-1. Both teams tightened up defensively for the rest of the period, heading into intermission deadlocked.

Early in the second period, Minot State capitalized on a Midland tripping penalty, scoring just over two minutes in to regain the lead. Less than a minute later, the Beavers appeared to add another goal, but it was waved off due to a kicking motion. They remained aggressive, however, netting their third goal at the 3:15 mark.

Midland had several power-play opportunities in the second, including a brief 5-on-3. The Warriors peppered the Beavers' goaltender with shots but were kept off the board until Darbi Poole scored at the 10:15 mark. Callie Maguire and Jaicee Huberdeau assisted on the power-play goal, pulling Midland within one.

Despite outshooting Minot State 19-7 in the period, Midland was unable to convert on three additional special-teams chances. The Beavers held a 3-2 lead heading into the final frame.

Minot State extended its lead early in the third, scoring an insurance goal within the first six minutes. The Warriors continued to pressure, getting several quality chances on net. Both teams played a disciplined period, with Midland taking one minor penalty and Minot State being called for two.

The Beavers' goaltender stood firm, making 16 saves in the final period to secure the 4-2 win.

Meghan Stewart recorded 20 saves on 24 shots in goal for the Warriors. Midland held a decisive 43-24 advantage in shots but struggled to capitalize. Minot State converted two of its five power-play chances, while Midland went 2-for-8 with the extra skater.

Midland (25-8) will play a consolation game on Friday before shifting its focus to the ACHA National Championship. The Warriors will learn their seeding for the national tournament, scheduled for March 17-21 in St. Louis, early next week.