Sean Williams/MDN Jillian Ackerman (1) of Minot High was brilliant in net during a state tournament semifinal game against Fargo Davies on Friday night.

With a bid to the girls’ hockey state championship game on the line, Minot High and Fargo Davies clashed at the Maysa Arena in what was their third meeting of the 2022-23 season.

Fargo Davies won the first two meetings, however, the Majettes are coming off a shocking comeback win over West Fargo United and come packed with a ton of momentum.

Featuring two of the best goaltenders in the state in Jillian Ackerman of Minot and Noelle Lewis of Fargo Davies, goals were at a premium in this exciting matchup. Both teams had a lot to play for, with the Eagles looking to make it to their fourth consecutive title game appearance, and Minot looking to play in their first title game.

Living up to the hype, both goaltenders shined throughout the contest but ultimately, it was a late power-play goal by the Eagles that punched their ticket to the state title game in a 1-0 win over the Majettes.

With just over three minutes into the game, the Majettes had their first test of the night by going on the penalty kill. They would hold strong, guided by Ackerman who made eight saves in the first period to keep the Eagles off the board.

With 6:44 left in the opening frame, Brynn Hanson of Minot drew a penalty on a rush, giving her team their first advantage of the contest. Despite a few good looks, Minot and Fargo Davies would be held scoreless in the first period, taking the 0-0 tie into period two.

The Eagles began cranking up the pressure offensively in period two, but key defensive plays from Fallon Fagerland, Grace Kersten, and Martine Hammer of Minot helped keep Fargo Davies scoreless in the period.

Both goalies were refusing to budge in the contest, as Ackerman fought off 18 shots and Lewis fought off 10 to keep the game in a scoreless tie heading into the third period. Mirroring the Eagles push to break the scoreless tie, Minot began picking up the pace offensively near the end of the second period but were unable to break through.

Not staying silent for long were the Eagles, who got a power-play goal from Sandra Sampson with just under three minutes played in the third period to take a 1-0 lead. Looking to extend their lead, the Eagles had a breakaway rush with 9:29 left in the period, but Ackerman eliminated the threat with a save that drew a round of applause.

Hoping to draw up one final plan of attack Minot coaches MaKayla Neuhalfen and Chris Stokke took a timeout with 4:59 left in the game. While their efforts were unrewarded, Minot would go on the power play with 57 seconds left in the game, giving them one final rush.

Pulling out all the cards in the deck, Ackerman would get pulled for an extra attacker, but Minot would fall short in a 1-0 final with Fargo Davies.

In what was a brilliant performance where she did everything she could to help her team win, Ackerman ended the night with 25 saves for Minot. Lewis on the other end of the ice picked up 18 saves in the shutout win for Fargo Davies.

Up next, the Majettes will face Fargo North/South or Legacy/Bismarck this afternoon for the third-place game at the Maysa.