Nathan Beitler/MDN Minot United senior Oliver Thompson (center) fights for control of the puck in front of the Maverick’s goal in their home game against Dickinson High School at the Maysa Arena on Tuesday night, Dec. 16

The Minot United boys’ hockey team took home a decisive victory over the Dickinson Mavericks 4-1 at home, improving their undefeated conference record to 5-0-0.

The two most recent Western Dakota Conference faced off Tuesday night, Dec. 16. The then Dickinson Midgets took home the WDA title in the 2024 NDHSAA West Region Boys Hockey Tournament, taking out Minot in the tournament finals. Minot got their revenge in the following year, knocking Dickinson out of title contention in the first round of the 2025 WDA tournament. This season, both teams entered the regular season with new names. Minot High and Minot North High School began their co-op as Minot United, and Dickinson High changed their name to the Mavericks this past summer.

Under their new monickers, the two teams faced off for the first time this season in Minot at the Maysa Arena. The game started off quick for Minot United. Senior forward Nick Christopher struck first, snaking the puck around the Mavericks’ goal keeper with an assist from senior Tate Haugenoe and shooting it into the back of the net. Minot United punched their first point early and kept up the pressure through the rest of the first period. Senior Oliver Thompson was the second to score for Minot United, finding the back of the net with an assist from senior Jayce Lemon. Minot United ended the first period of play with a 2-0 lead. The Mavericks were unable to keep the puck on their side of the ice for too long, with Minot United taking majority control of the flow of the game. While the Mavericks had just six shots on goal over the first 17 minutes, Minot United earned 18. The second period continued with Minot’s dominance. Nick Christopher scored his second goal of the game just a minute and a half into the second period with another assist from Tate Haugenoe as well as junior Dane Voeller. Voeller earned his second assist of the night 12 minutes 14 seconds into the second period when junior forward Nolan Knowles rocketed the puck into the back of the goal. By the end of the second period, Minot United led the Mavericks 4-0, and had 34 shots on goal compared to Dickinson’s nine. Minot United was not able to score on their six shots on goal in the third period, but the Mavericks were only able to secure a single point of their own, giving Minot United their sixth victory of the season and fifth victory in WDA play. Minot United improved to 6-2-0 on the season and extended their unbeaten streak in conference play to five with their new 5-0-0 record. Minot United is scheduled to play Bismarck Century this Friday, Dec. 19 on the road.