The Minot United boys hockey team matched a season-high in goals as Cole Richeson and Nick Christopher each lit the lamp twice in a 6-5 victory over Bismarck Century on Friday, Dec. 19, to remain unbeaten in WDA play.

Friday’s game marked the third time this season that Minot United had scored six goals. They also hit that goal total in wins against Notre Dame Academy and Jamestown. Minot United is averaging 3.56 goals per game through nine games.

The two teams combined for five goals in the opening period, with Oliver Thompson getting the scoring going for Minot United at 1:14. Heath Frykman netted the equalizer a minute later for one of his two goals of the game for the Patriots.

Both teams had strong showings with their power play units. The Patriots were 3-for-5 with the extra skater and Minot United scored twice in four attempts. Christopher netted both of them in the first period. The first came at 5:42 with Century’s Reese Frykman in the box for interference. His second gave Minot United a 3-1 lead late in the frame with Reese Frykman again serving a penalty, this time for cross-checking.

Minot United (7-2-0-0 overall, 6-0-0-0 WDA) withstood a hat trick from Century’s Alex Schlafman, who scored all three of his team’s power-play goals, scoring his first with 20 seconds left in the first to cut Minot United lead to 3-2 after one.

Two goals in the span of four seconds pushed Minot United’s lead to 5-2. Richeson netted his first of the game and Dane Voeller quickly followed off the ensuing faceoff. Schlafman again scored in the final minute of the period on the power play to keep Century in the game.

Schlafman brought the Patriots (0-4-0-1, 0-3-0-1) to within 5-4 to register the hat trick. Richeson’s second of the contest gave Minot United some needed breathing room with 2:55 remaining, but Heath Frykman’s second goal of the game with 50 seconds left again brought the Patriots to within a goal of tying the game. However, Century couldn’t get one last shot past Minot United goaltender Canton Christians.

Christians finished with 23 saves to keep Minot United undefeated in WDA play. Noah Hamar finished with 26 saves for Century.

Minot United travels to play Bismarck High on Monday, Dec. 22, at 7:15 p.m.