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MSU men’s hockey extends winning streak to eight, sweeps Iowa State

Alex Eisen/MDN Minot State forward Adam Wowryk (14) lifts the puck Saturday evening against Iowa State at Maysa Arena. The Beavers won 3-1.

Adam Wowryk continues to provide the “wow” factor.

Wowryk’s 14th goal in game No. 16 this season put the No. 4-ranked Minot State men’s hockey team in the driver’s seat to knock off No. 15-ranked Iowa State, 3-1, Saturday evening at Maysa Arena.

With the weekend sweep in a pair of 2019 ACHA Division I championship game rematches, MSU has strung together eight wins in a row.

“From a confidence standpoint, this was big for us to take a big step forward,” MSU head coach Wade Regier said. “Got to be pleased to get a 3-1 win against a team that will definitely be there at the end of the year.”

Unable to get the puck out of their defensive zone, the Cyclones gifted Wowryk a scoring chance nine minutes into the contest. Wowryk skated past a defender, got to the middle of the ice and rifled in another goal — a first-period snipe for the Beavers’ leading goal scorer.

“(Eric Soar) made a nice play to keep the puck in,” Wowryk said. “I batted it out of mid-air, walked around one of the guys and there was a huge lane. I took advantage and roofed her.”

Both offenses then went quiet until the third period.

MSU (13-1-2) picked up needed insurance goals from Jordan Robertson and Morgan Poirier against Iowa State goaltender Nikita Kozak.

The Cyclones (8-9-1), meanwhile, couldn’t figure out MSU goaltender Joshua Bykowski until the final minute of the contest. Max Kamper scored a rebound goal with 18 seconds remaining.

Nothing more than a consolation goal, but still a sour way to lose a shutout bid.

“It’s tough, those garbage time goals,” Regier said. “Then, I was even frustrated because they proceeded to win the draw and get another quality scoring chance. Our guys kind of let their foot off the gas.”

Wowryk added: “It sucks but, more importantly, we got the win. Next time, we just can’t run around in our own zone with about 10 seconds left.”

MSU narrowly outshot ISU 30-27. The Cyclones tacked on a few extra shots in the final minutes of the game.

“There are times today we left Josh (Bykowski) out to dry,” Wowryk said. “He made some key saves on shots that could have ended up in the back of the net.”

Minot State will host its ninth straight game at Maysa Arena on Saturday (Nov. 16) against Williston State. The Beavers haven’t lost a game since returning to Minot after a 4-3 road defeat to Davenport on Oct. 27.

Alex Eisen covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @AEisen13.

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