Saint Louis, Mo. - The Calvin University Knights ACHA D1 Hockey Team were defeated by the Minot State University Beavers 2-1 on Saturday afternoon in the ACHA National Tournament.
Going into Saturday's game the Knights looked to make an impact on the Nationals stage this season. The Knights came in with confidence but they knew the Beavers would be a formidable opponent. The Knights were aware of the skill from the opposition, especially after their nationals win in 2019.
In the first period both teams came out with high intensity and pressure on both ends. The Beavers got the majority of the scoring chances in the frame but the Knight's defense held firm and kept the Beavers off the board. The Knights scoring chances in the frame came few and far between and the Beavers defense was there to shut them down.
After the first period the Knights were deadlocked at 0-0. The Knights were also outshot 2-16.
In second period the Beavers came out of the locker room with a new found fire in their stride and quickly put the pressure on the Knights. The Knights struggled to gain any control early in the period and they payed for it. About four minutes into the frame the Beavers found the back of the net to take the one goal lead. About six minutes later the Beavers extended their lead to 2 as they snuck another past the Knights defense. The Knights fought back hard for the rest of the period but had no answers for the Beavers solid defense.
At the end of the second period the Knights found themselves trailing 2-0. The Knights were outshot 4-16.
In the third period the Knights found some new momentum and started to work their way back into the game. The Knights recieved some great scoring chances and finally found a breakthrough. With about six minutes to go in the frame the Knights got on the board with a goal from Jacob Siebenga with the assist from Jared Virtanen. The Knights goal brought them within one goal but the Beavers defense locked it down in the back and gave the Knights no room to find the second goal.
At the end of regulation the Beavers came out victorious over the Knights 2-1. The Knights outshot the Beavers 11-8 in the third.
Knights Goaltender Darin Fox played an outstanding game with 38 saves.
