Nathan Beitler/MDN Members of the Minot United hockey team surround senior Oliver Thompson after he scored the first goal of the night in their home game against the Devils Lake Firebirds on Thursday night, Jan. 8.

The Minot United boys’ hockey team extended their win streak to 11 after taking down the Devils Lake Firebirds 4-2 at home on Thursday night, Jan. 8.

Minot United has slowly solidified their place at the top of the Western Dakota Association this season after an unfortunate 0-2 start against Fargo Davies and Fargo North. Minot United took their first win of the season in their third match of the season against another non-conference team, Notre Dame Academy. Minot United played Bismarck Legacy as their first conference game of the season, ending with a 4-2 victory. Since early December, Minot United has slowly climbed the ranks of the WDA with win after win, taking down 10 conference teams in a row, giving them a 10-2-0 record going into their game against Devils Lake. The Firebirds were the first non-conference team that Minot United played since their win against Notre Dame Academy, and their performance showed that they are ready to take on what the East has to offer.

Friday’s game got off to a slow start for both teams in the Maysa Arena. A contentious back and forth up and down the ice left both teams scoreless through the first ten minutes of play. Minot United senior Oliver Thompson was the first to break the ice on Thursday night with a shot into the back of the net with just six minutes 16 seconds remaining in the period. He was assisted by senior defenders Cole Richeson and Jayce Lemon. Minot United’s excitement with early lead was quickly compounded, as the team scored their second goal just 33 seconds later, this time made by junior Easton Bradley with another assist from Cole Richeson.

The rest of the first period remained scoreless, but Minot United ended the period with a comfortable 2-0 lead. The Firebirds struck back in the second period with junior Kole Thomson scoring Devils Lake’s first goal of the night assisted by junior Rylan Swenson. Thomson’s was the only goal of the second period, but both teams were able to run up the score in the third period. Sophomore defender Blake Haaland gave Minot United their two-point lead back less than a minute and a half into the third period, putting the puck into the back of the net to make the score 3-1. The Firebirds’ sophomore Nash Riggin brought a tie game back within a single goal with his own scoring shot, but Minot United once again secured their comfortable lead with a well-placed puck by junior forward Brady Grosz. The game ended not long after Grosz’ goal, giving Minot United their eleventh win in a row at a final score of 4-2.

Minot United will get a short break from hockey action until they are once again back at home at Maysa Arena to take on WDA No. 2 Bismarck Legacy for the second time this season. Minot United will return to Maysa to take on the Sabers on Thursday, Jan. 15, in hopes of extending their win streak to 12.