The Minot State men’s ice hockey team joined the Midwest College Hockey conference two years ago and already has two regular season and tournament titles.

The Beavers claimed their second straight MCH Tournament championship with a 3-1 victory over U-Mary in the conference title game on Sunday, Feb. 22, at Albert Lea City Arena in Albert Lea, Minn. Minot State receives an automatic bid into the National Tournament, although the Beavers were a lock to be among the 20 teams in the field as the top-ranked team in the computer rankings entering the final week of the season.

Tied 1-1 entering the third period, Walker Jerome gave the Beavers the lead on the power play 3:15 into the frame. In the final seconds of a hooking penalty assessed to Amraj Gill, Jerome netted what would be the game-winning goal off assists from Christian Kadolph and Austin Clyne.

Matthew Yakubowksi provided an insurance goal with eight minutes left in the regulation with another power-play goal. Jay Buchholz and Joey Moffatt had the assists.

All four goals were scored on the power play.

Colby Joseph opened the scoring at 12:02 of the first period. Buchholz registered the first of two assists and Logan Rands had the primary assist on the goal. U-Mary tied the game late in the period when Gill scored the Marauders’ lone goal.

Will Dyke recorded 26 saves to earn the win in net for the Beavers. Caleb Cross stopped 23 shots for U-Mary.

The Beavers (27-1-2) received a bye into the semifinal round, and advanced to the title game with a 14-2 drubbing of McKendree on Saturday, Feb. 21. Buchholz netted a hat trick and Henry Reece, Sheldin Howard and Eric Krywy each potted two. Kadolph finished with four assists and Jaxon Grosdidier had three.

Minot State’s highest offensive output of the season resulted in McKendree going through three different goaltenders. Dylan Dallaire got the start, but was pulled after allowing six goals on 21 shots in 23:51. Mason Haselhorst lasted 17:37 and allowed five goals on 15 shots before being replaced by Greyson Skirpan the rest of the way. Skirpan stopped five of eight shots.

The Beavers held a 44-13 advantage in shots on goal.

Minot State has some time off before heading to Maryland Heights, Mo., to compete in the ACHA National Tournament, which begins on Thursday, March 12.