The Minneapolis Novas moved to 5-1 Saturday evening after beating the Two Rivers Conference defending champions from Moose Lake Area at Parade Ice Gardens with a final score of 5-1.

"We're thought of as the number one team in the conference now," Jack Kelly said, who scored two goals and one assist in the contest. "We're the team to beat, and it gives us a little extra confidence as well."

Jack Kelly's first goal came after a diligent Novas penalty kill early on in the first period. As the Rebels appeared to have momentum, Jack Kelly buried a wrap-around to put Minneapolis up 1-0.

Alec Kelly added the second goal of the game on the power play with style. Coming up the half wall in the offensive zone, Alec Kelly spun away from the defender to the middle of the ice before firing the shot in the upper-right corner.

"I was going to pass to the (defenseman), but saw the kid commit to it, so I faked it and had the instinct to turn around and shoot," Alec Kelly said.

After a 15-shot first period for Minneapolis, Moose Lake Area began putting more pressure on. Jake Cisar put one home during a 2-on-1 rush to make it a 2-1 game.

It was the only goal sophomore TJ Mosley allowed. He made 29 saves in a very poised and controlled effort. He made a sprawling leg save late in the third period to keep the game out of reach for Moose Lake Area.

In the last four games, the Novas have now outscored opponents 32-5. Part of the reason is due to the goaltending duo of Mosley and junior Patrick Kelliher.

"Again, we had some real good goaltending," assistant coach Kevin Conrad said.

Junior forward Charlie Shepard gave Minneapolis a 3-1 lead, giving the crowd a sigh of relief. Jack Kelly tipped a Sam Dudovitz slap shot from the point to make it 4-1. Sophomore forward Tony Pnewski added the empty netter to give the Novas its first conference victory of the season.

Conrad continued to stress the team's depth and ability to roll all forward lines and defensive pairings. Speed and physical play played a big role in the victory.

"They played hard. They utilized their speed," Conrad said. "We took advantage of the skills that we had."

The Novas will have more than one week until their next game. They face Greenway on Dec. 28 for the first of three games up north in the Eveleth-Gilbert/Mesabi East Holiday Tournament.