Two days removed from surrendering a season-high nine goals, the Minot High girls hockey team turned in a much better performance against the defending state champions.

Unfortunately, it didn’t result in a victory, as Minot United dropped its third straight game in a 3-1 loss to Legacy/Bismarck at Maysa Arena on Thursday, Jan. 22.

Senior forward Brynn Hanson extended her goal streak to four games, netting her team’s lone goal in the second period to tie the game 1-1. Hanson has 11 goals in 15 games this season – tied for sixth-most in the state – and five in her last four. Julia Stoner is second on the team in goals with seven. The duo is responsible for all but four goals for Minot United (4-10-1-0 overall, 3-10-1-0 state) this year.

Alivia Rask got the defending champions on the board first, scoring 10:17 into the opening period to give Legacy/Bismarck a 1-0 lead heading into the intermission. After Hanson netted the equalizer, Legacy/Bismarck (12-3-0-1, 12-3-0-0) tacked on two more before the end of the second, including another from Rask. Bailey Blitz pushed the lead to 3-1 with 46 seconds left in the frame.

The win moved Legacy/Bismarck to the top of the state standings, one point in front of Fargo North/South, however, the Spruins have played three fewer games to date.

Minot United goaltender Faith Seekings finished with 31 saves. Bismarck/Legacy’s Rylee Otto earned the win in net with 18 saves.

Minot United travels to play Devils Lake on Monday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m. at Burdick Arena. Minot United defeated the Firebirds in overtime the last time these two teams met back on Dec. 5.