In a battle of two teams fighting for the eighth and final spot in the state tournament, Minot United picked up a crucial two points in a shootout victory over Jamestown on Friday, Jan. 30, at Maysa Arena.

Minot United won the game 4-3, winning the shootout 1-0 with Brynn Hanson scoring the lone goal in the shootout. Hanson scored the first goal of the game as well, converting on the first power-play opportunity of the contest just 1:45 into the game off an assist from Julia Stoner.

The Blue Jays (4-9-0-2 overall, 4-9-0-2 state) responded with a power-play goal of their own five minutes into the second period, tying the game on a tally from Stella Belzer. Jamestown grabbed a 2-1 lead early in the third on a goal from Grace Allmaras at 3:07.

Stoner forced overtime with Minot United’s second power-play goal at 4:30 of the third period to secure at least a point in the standings. Minot United picked up a second point when Hanson scored in the second round of the shootout.

Minot United goaltender Faith Seekings made 33 saves – six in overtime – and stopped shots from Izzy Maddock, Allmaras and Layni Bakalar during the shootout.

Minot United (5-11-2-0, 4-11-2-0) couldn’t find the offense less than 24 hours later, falling to Fargo Davies, 3-0, on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Maysa Arena in their sixth shutout loss of the season.

The Eagles (9-7-2-0, 9-7-2-0) scored a goal a piece in each of the three periods, beginning with Sidney Elliott’s goal with 2:43 left in the opening frame. Sophia Rerick added the second at 7:46 in the second period on the power play and Emmalynn Amundson netted the third at 8:24 of the third period.

The Eagles held a 37-25 edge in shots on goal.

Jamestown dropped a second straight shootout contest in as many days, falling to Williston, 2-1, to keep Minot United in the eighth spot. Minot United has a two-point lead over Jamestown and a four-point lead over Williston (3-11-1-1, 3-11-1-1). Jamestown has played two fewer games than Minot United, and Williston has played one fewer game than Minot United.

Minot United has five games remaining on their schedule, beginning with a road contest at Bismarck Century on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 5 p.m. at VFW Sports Center.