The Minot United boys hockey team found out the hard way that past success against a particular team does not automatically result in a similar outcome in the future.

Minot United won its first contest with Jamestown rather comfortably, but stumbled to a 3-2 loss on the road against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Jan. 27. The loss further tightens the race for the No. 1 seed in the WDA between Minot United and Bismarck Legacy, which is currently separated by just two points with both teams having three region games left on their schedules.

Nick Christopher got Minot United (15-4-0-0 overall, 12-2-0-0 WDA) on the board first with the only goal of the opening period, scoring at 13:09 with assists from Oliver Thompson and Tait Thorson.

The Blue Jays (9-3-0-0, 9-2-0-0) responded with three unanswered goals over the final two periods. Gavin Schafer tied the contest less than three minutes into the second period and Parker Roelfsema put Jamestown in front at 11:52. The Blue Jays outshot Minot United 15-4 in the second period.

John Belzer stretched Jamestown’s lead to 3-1 with six minutes remaining in regulation. Tate Haugenoe pulled Minot United within 3-2 with 36 seconds left, but couldn’t net the equalizer.

Luke Richeson finished with 24 saves for Minot United. Leif Hanson earned the win for Jamestown with 22 saves.

Minot United hosts Bismarck Century on Thursday, Jan. 29, at Maysa Arena at 7:30 p.m.