Cyclone Hockey returned from Winter Break on Friday and its gift was facing off against No. 1 Minot State at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena. 

The Beavers entered Friday’s game with a 19-0-1 record and their dominant season continued with a 7-3 victory over the Cyclones.

The feeling that the Cyclones could be in for a long night started early when Brett Nespor beat Cyclone Hockey goaltender Matt Goedeke 1:53 into the game to take a 1-0 lead.

The two teams stayed evenly matched for the next 10 minutes until Jake Uglem poked the puck loose from the Beavers and scored on an one-on-one opportunity with Beaver goaltender Connor Beauchamp.

The first period ended with the scoreboard even at a goal apiece.

Cyclone Hockey held the momentum early in the second period but couldn’t take advantage of a few good opportunities at the net.

The inability to score on those chances proved to be the difference in the coming moments. Minot State capitalized on another shot from Nespor to take a 2-1 lead at the 4:30 mark in the second period.

One minute later, Morgan Martelle added to the Beaver lead.

Ensuing second period goals from Austin Yano and Sam Briscoe left little doubt about the outcome.

The Cyclones still refused to concede defeat. Preston Blanek scored at the end of the second period and Alex Stephens at the beginning of the third but the Cyclones still fell to the Beavers.

The Cyclones have a shot at redemption Saturday night when they host Minot State again at 7:30 p.m. at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena.