Robert Brewer/MDN Pictured here in a home game earlier this season, Tyler Kostelecky accounted for a team-high three points (one goal, two assists) in Minot's most recent contest against St. Cloud on Saturday.

After a late-game victory on Friday evening to beat St. Cloud on the road, the Minot Minotauros were beaten by the Norsemen 5-3 on Saturday evening.

St. Cloud led throughout as they amassed a 2-0 lead after one period of play. Forward Tyler Kostelecky trimmed the deficit to 2-1 early in the second for his 12th goal of the year. He was assisted by Jay Buchholz and Ross Roloson on the play. Later in the period, Jack Westlund scored on a power play opportunity as Minot still trailed 3-2 at that point.

The Tauros fell behind 4-2 in the third, but a power play goal from Logan Anderson with less than five minutes to go once again got Minot to within one. That would be as close as Minot would get for the remainder of the game as St. Cloud’s Evan Murr added an empty netter to put the game away with under a minute left.

For the game, Minot goaltender Keenan Rancier saved 39 of 43 shots, and St. Cloud committed four penalties compared to three for the Tauros. The season series now stands at 5-5 between the two clubs.

With a record of 19-18-4-1, third-place Minot plans to host first-place Aberdeen (39-2-0-1) in its next game on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Minot State completes weekend sweep of Dakota College at Bottineau

In other local hockey news, the Minot State women’s team defeated Dakota College at Bottineau on Saturday at the Maysa Arena 4-0. It was MSU’s second shutout victory over the Lumberjacks in as many days.

Freshman defenseman Anna German netted MSU’s first two goals of the game, both coming on power play opportunities in the first period. Senior defenseman Jensen Smigelsky added another goal in the second, and senior forward Lauren Blight added the final goal in the third to polish off the Beavers victory.

With a record of 14-3-1-0, MSU will now prepare for the ACHA National Tournament, which is slated to begin April 15.