Ryan Ladika/MDN Minot’s Casey Fjeld fights off Bismarck’s Kadin Kisse for possession of the puck during the second period of the 2021 West Regional Championship Game Saturday.

Minot and Bismarck Century represented the top two seeds in the West Regional Hockey Tournament. The Magi were in search of their first regional tournament victory since 2006, and Century entered the game trying for their third in a row and fourth since 2015.

Riding an eight-game win streak and having won 16 of 18 total games this season, one of Minot’s only two losses came to this same Patriots squad in a 6-4 defeat Jan. 19. Prior to that, the Magi defeat the Patriots by a 5-4 final tally Jan. 5.

As it turned out, the two squads got an opportunity for rubber match on the season’s biggest stage. Tre’ Sortland, allowing just over a goal and a half per game, led the Magi to battle against sophomore netminder Casey Odegaard and the Patriots.

Following the opening puck drop, the visitors recorded the game’s first shot on net two minutes and 20 seconds into the affairs, and cracked the scoreboard first not long after.

Despite their early deficit, the Magi were able to keep pace with Century in the shot column, matching the Patriots’ four shots with four of their own when the clock was stopped with eight minutes and 12 seconds left in the first frame.

Century doubled its lead with six and a half minutes left. Minot could not cash in on a late power play opportunity, and entered the first intermission trailing by two despite outshooting the Patriots 8-5.

Down 3-0 in the second, Minot received three more chances on the power play but came up empty. Minot again entered the intermission with the lead in shots, 17-14, but trailed the visitors three goals to none.

More of the same ensued in the final 17 minutes, as Minot was shut out on two more power plays and Century added another score just a minute and 49 seconds into the period. In the loss, the Magi outshot Century 23-19 while going 0-for-6 on the power play.

Up next for Minot, they are scheduled to do battle at home against Fargo South-Shanley in the state tournament quarterfinal for a 6 p.m. puck drop at Maysa Arena Feb. 23.