The Minot United girls hockey team took another step forward in their quest to grab the eighth and final spot in the state tournament following their 5-3 victory over Dickinson on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Julia Stoner and Brynn Hanson each scored a pair of goals for Minot United, which is now competing against just Jamestown in the race for the No. 8 seed.

Minot United’s win, coupled with Williston’s loss to Bismarck Century eliminated the Coyotes. The Blue Jays are five points behind Minot United with two games remaining on their schedule. Minot United (6-14-2-0 overall, 5-14-2-0 state) plays their regular season finale against Mandan on Thursday, Feb. 19, at Maysa Arena. A win in regulation or in overtime would clinch a state tournament berth. Jamestown has Devils Lake and Grand Forks remaining on its schedule. The Blue Jays need a pair of wins and a Minot United loss to get the No. 8 seed.

Stoner scored both of Minot United’s goals in the opening period, both pulling them even after Dickinson (3-16-2-0, 2-16-2-0) took one-goal leads on tallies from Alayna Lippert and KeAna Hendrickson. Ava Beda gave Minot United its first lead of the game at 4:49 of the second period and Hanson added a shorthanded goal at 15:14.

Kyndall Peterson cut Minot United’s lead in half 4:26 into the third period, but Hanson restored their two-goal lead three minutes later.

Faith Seekings picked up the win in net for Minot United, finishing with 28 saves. Dickinson’s Kahlan Lopez stopped 24 of 29 shots she faced.