Jimmies men's hockey beats Minot State 4-1

Nov. 27—JAMESTOWN — The No. 4-ranked University of Jamestown continued its run through the ACHA top-25 as they beat No.2-ranked Minot State University 4-1 on Monday, Nov. 27, at John L. Wilson Arena.

Over the weekend of Nov. 17, the Jimmies swept the then No.2-ranked University of Central Oklahoma. The Jimmies were without head coach Dean Stork and had goalie coach Jaysen MacLean filling in.

"It's a cool experience," MacLean said. "It's something different for me being new this year. But, obviously having Blake Sabinski around to help all day and get everything done and obviously the guys on our team being so supportive of me transitioning to a coaching role. It just makes it awesome. We're a tight-knit family program and it shows by the actions of our players and staff."

The Jimmies (13-3) opened the scoring when Brad Fortin sniped home a puck to make it 1-0 with 9:39 to go in the first period. Just over two minutes later, the Jimmies kept the pressure up as Phillippe Lessard flipped a puck up to himself and scored on a breakaway to make it 2-0 with 6:59 to go in the frame.

"It was good," Fortin said. "It was a great pass from Reid Wilson there and it definitely gets the ball rolling for the game and gets us lots of momentum."

The Jimmies kept it up in the early part of the second period as Fortin toe dragged past a defender and tucked the puck just under the bar to make it 3-0 with 15:36 to go in the second. The Beavers (12-4) did not wait long to respond though as with 14:14 to go they scored to cut the deficit to 3-1. Later in the frame, the Jimmies were able to cash in on the man advantage as Alek Erichuk scored to push the lead out to 4-1.

The third period was tight as both teams had chances and the Jimmies wound up outshooting the Beavers 16-4.

"They're a good team," Fortin said. "It was a close game all the way and the third was tight as well which we expected."

The Jimmies have now beaten the Beavers twice in one season for the first time since the 2020-21 season.

"It's a group effort and each and every one of those guys in the locker room deserves the outcome of today," MacLean said. "I think for us it's a step forward and show the growth of our program and the success that we want to have as a group."

The Jimmies are back in action at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, when they host No. 5-ranked University of Mary.

MSU 1, UJ 4

MSU: 0 1 0 — 1

UJ: 2 2 0 — 4

Scoring plays:

First period:

UJ: Brad Fortin, 10:21

UJ: Phillippe Lessard, 13:01

Second period:

UJ: Fortin (2), 4:24

MSU: Carter Barley, 5:46

UJ: Alek Erichuk (PP), 17:05

Goalie matchup:

MSU: Jake Anthony: 24 saves on 28 shots, four goals allowed

UJ: Brandon Weare: 17 saves on 18 shots, one goal allowed