MINOT — The door swung open, and Kent Walchuk was set free.

MINOT — The worst round of golf Alexandra Demko has ever played taught her two valuable life lessons.

MINOT — Revisiting the glory days from merely a season ago, Johl Swedlo recently decided to spend his time watching full game replays.

MINOT — Brooke Mead didn’t know how she was supposed to feel.

MINOT — Shelby Tornato had already come to terms that she had probably played in her last game with the Minot State women’s hockey team.

MINOT — Joshua Bykowski always had to be ready for anything at a moment’s notice.

MINOT — Gloves and sticks tossed up high combined with the shouts of pure jubilation echoing off the boards.

MINOT — The Beavers waited patiently on the blue line with their arms interlocked across their shoulders as the ceremony commenced.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Resting in his hotel room, Dean Arevalo was disturbed by what he first thought was a cruel prank.