Editor’s note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic suspending national and local sports until further notice, the Minot Daily News sports department would like to use this unprecedented time to gather and share some memorable sports stories that have impacted you, our loyal readers. Click here for more information about this new initiative.

Email your submissions to sports@minotdailynews.com.

Alex’s Tale of the Tape #2,191, Date: Dec. 26, 2019

On the day after Christmas, the Minot High School girls hockey team took to the ice at Maysa Arena for its first game in 12 days.

Despite looking “sloppy and sluggish” at times, the Majettes eked out a 3-2 nonconference victory over Mandan in its home invitational jamboree.

“We started slow, even the second period looked a little bit slow,” MHS co-head coach MaKayla Sandvold said. “But, by the third period, it looked like we got our legs back. We worked hard in the third period.”

Some holiday vacation rust affected both teams.

It took the Majettes under three minutes to score the opening goal of the game, as senior forward Kaya Shaw jumped all over a rebound found in the crease. Carson and Brenna Abrahamson provided the assists.

The rest of the first period featured a couple of close calls and a handful of icing calls, which halted any momentum gained by either side.

After O’Malley Eslinger tied the game at 2-2 late in the second period, Shaw poached another rebound for the game-winning goal in the opening minutes of the third period.

The Majettes outshot the Braves 30-22 with MHS goaltender Amber Borkhuis making 20 saves.

Alex’s Tale of the Tape #1,430, Date: Oct. 29, 2018

Every point drew an enthusiastic roar.

From the first serve to the last, the crowd at Nedrose High School was enthralled watching the best two teams in District 11 go head-to-head for a district tournament championship.

The match deserved to go five sets and did with top-seeded Rugby holding off No. 2-seeded Velva in an instant classic by set scores of 25-23, 26-28, 25-14, 22-25 and 15-7.

District 11 Senior Athlete of the Year, Rugby’s Maria Blessum, was left gasping for air.

“This was so fun,” Blessum said. “Both crowds were just crazy, and that definitely hypes us up and gets us going. I think our crowd was honestly what kept us going. We were tired. But it was a lot of fun.”

Blessum put down 20 kills and collected 10 digs to will the Panthers to their fifth straight District 11 Tournament title.

The fifth and final set was Blessum’s shining moment. After an attack error left her playfully punching herself in the head, Blessum had four straight kills and an ace to get Rugby up to 13 points. An attack error shortly after had the Panthers celebrating a 15-7 set win to seal a 3-2 victory.

Alex’s Tale of the Tape #333, Date: Feb. 24, 2017

Giving up the first seven points isn’t ideal, but No. 4-seeded Lewis & Clark-Berthold set aside its early struggles to soar past No. 5-seeded Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood, 64-37, in the first round of the boys District 12 basketball tournament.

“I think we came out a little tight and credit to Mohall, they made some big baskets in the first quarter,” LCB coach Chris Brown said. “Proud of my boys and how we stuck to the game plan, and they didn’t get nervous.”

The Mavericks jumped out to the aforementioned 7-0 lead to start the contest, but the Bombers were quick to respond with eight straight points to take their first lead. Berthold held a 16-14 lead after the first eight minutes.

The Bombers closed out the first half on a 9-2 run with senior Cody Hamilton hitting from beyond the NBA three-point line with the clock approaching zero.

A 3-pointer from junior Chase Gates got MLS to within three points, 34-31, but that was matched by a 3-pointer and a three-point play from Bombers junior Reese Hennessy. Plus, another triple from senior Keaton Borud.

Hennessy led all scorers with 17 points. Alex Nelson and Garrett Hanson each put up 13 points for the Bombers.