On Friday night the team played a late matchup against Jamestown/Valley City (JVC). The teams both came out fighting with hopes for the first win of the tournament. The Otters were first on top with a goal by Leighton Buckmeier which was assisted by Jack Welde. Giving the Otters the two goal lead was Dakota Komestakes assisted by Griffin Babolian which ended the period 2-0. JVC with two penalties in the second period gave the Otters a 5 on 3 advantage. Using this to his advantage was Gavin Goepferd when he slipped one past the goalie, unassisted. The Otters would be held to only one more goal in the game. In the third period JVC came out fighting and dominating the game. That quickly brought the score within two goals. It wasn’t long before the Otters and JVC were tied 4-4. In the last minute of the game JVC got past the Otter defense and was able to steal the win from the Otters with a final score of 4-5. 

On Saturday the Otters traveled back to face BL Jefferson. Jefferson wanted to let the Otters know early on that they were fighting for the win. The only goal of the period was scored by Jefferson leaving the end of the first period with a score of 0-1. In the second period the Otters wanted to let them know they were not giving up. Putting up a good defensive front the Otters held off any goals until they were able to tie the game with a sweet shot from Goepferd assisted by Brayden Nelson. Less than a minute later Jefferson was able to take back the lead ending the second period at 1-2. With a whole period left the Otters had a hard time holding Jefferson. Jefferson was able to get two more goals giving them a healthy lead of 1-4. With less than a minute in the game Komestakes assisted the goal of Brayden Nelson to bring the game within two goals. Pulling the goalie and giving it all they had the Otters were not able to take back the win they were looking for. The final of the game was 2-4. 

Later that night the Otters would face Hibbing. This proved to be a difficult match for the Otters. With Hibbing scoring five goals to the Otters one goal scored by Griffin Babolian, assisted by Buckmeier. 

Sunday morning the Otters came fired up and ready to take a win for the weekend. They faced Crookston. Starting off strong Goepferd scored unassisted. Just over a minute later Luke Norgard fired one past the goalie unassisted ending the period 2-0. Continuing with the scoring trend in the second was Komestakes (Goepferd), Babolian and Komestakes ending the second at 5-0. With the Otter defense strong this game Crookston was able to sneak past and get one goal in the game. The Otters were not going to let that slide and Shane Zierden put the final goal of the weekend on the board. Final score was 6-1. Other contributing members of the team are; Sam Dirkman, Riley McGovern, Ryan Nelson (goalie), Michael Schmidt, and Davis Shol. 

Although the Otters didn’t bring home the Championship tournament trophy, they were awarded the title of “Ugliest Team Sweater” in the ugly sweater contest.