Minot United’s penalty-ridden venture against the Devils Lake Firebirds on the road Monday night, Jan. 26, ended with a 3-1 victory in non-conference play.

Minot United’s girls hockey team traveled to Devils Lake on Monday night with a 4-10-1-0 record on the season and a three-game losing streak. As the season stretches through its second half, Minot United has had trouble finding its footing on the ice, but Monday night’s game was an explosive one for the team.

All of the action of the first 16 minutes of play time were penalties. Minot United kicked off the on-ice roughness with a tripping penalty less than a minute into play time by senior Ayla Jackson. From there, the Firebird and Minot United traded penalties back and forth in and out of power plays through the rest of the first period.

Minot United finally put points on the board during the period’s last power play, put into effect by a roughing penalty committed by one of the Firebirds’ players.

Senior Brynn Hanson shot the puck into the back of the net just before the end of the first period, 16 minutes 35 seconds into the game. She was assisted by senior Yvonne Slind and sophomore Ava Beda. At the end of the first period, both the Firebirds and Minot United totalled three penalties each.

The second period kicked off with another penalty, this time with a slashing violation by the Firebird. Minot United struck back with a hooking penalty by Yvonne Slind. Minot United put another point on the board with a goal by freshman Julia Stoner on a powerplay following another penalty by Devils Lake.

The Firebirds finally put their first goal into the back of the net with a goal eight minutes 16 seconds into the second period. The Firebirds were called on one more penalty before the end of the period. The second period totalled just four penalties with Minot United only claiming one.

Yvonne Slind scored the one and only goal of the third period when she put the puck into the back of the net following three Devils Lake penalties. The Firebirds and Minot United each earned one more penalty after Slind’s goal before the game ended. With the end of the third period, Minot United ended their three-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Firebirds.

Monday night’s game ended with 15 total penalties on the night, totalling 30 minutes of time in the penalty box. Minot United had five penalties on the night and the Firebirds ended with 10.

Minot United improved on the season to a record of 5-10-1-0. They will return home for the next game as they take on Jamestown High School at the Maysa Arena on Friday, Jan. 30.