Arizona hockey: Wildcats upset No. 1 Minot State Beavers 3-2

For the first time in program history, the Arizona Wildcats hockey team took down the No. 1 team in the ACHA.  The Cats upset Minot State by a score of 3-2 on Friday.

The Minot State Beavers came to Tucson looking to rebound against No. 13 Arizona after losing to No. 2 Arizona State in Tempe 2-1 on Thursday.  Arizona was coming off a 1-2 weekend, where No. 14 Colorado State came to town and swept them.

"The message all week has been 'Do your job'," said head coach Sean Hogan after the game.  "Trust the guy next to you is going to do his job and we'll do fine."

That certainly happened.

Arizona started freshman goalie Garrett Patrick, and the kid responded.  Patrick allowed two goals on 36 Minot State shots.

"Unbelievable, speechless," said senior forward Andrew Murmes.  "That's a freshman goalie that looked like a veteran out there.  He played one of the best games I've ever seen."

"Garrett Patrick, holy s***," added Hogan.  "Third string goalie a week ago.  Incredible man."

Arizona picked up the only goal in the first, and Minot answered with a goal in the second, and another early in the third.

Brennen Parker put his second goal of the night in the net right away to tie the game back up at 2, and then Murmes put Arizona in front for good immediately after.

Overall, it was a very clean game.  Arizona outplayed Minot for most of it, but both goalies played very well.  The Wildcats just played a little bit better.

"I just couldn't be prouder of my brothers," said Murmes.  "When we come together we can beat anyone."

"The message is simple: stay positive, play our game, not get down, don't take penalties, and battle through adversity."

"I just thought that they were playing for each other," added Hogan.

To put it into historical perspective, and perspective for this program, the Wildcats joined the ACHA in 1992, and this is the first win for Arizona over a No. 1 ranked team.  Ever.

"It was just four years ago when No. 1 Lindenwood came in here and beat this team 14-1.  So we've really made some progress," said coach Hogan.

"I'm really proud of these guys."

"I'm just so excited.  We're really making some progress here.  Hopefully we can keep it going in the right direction."