BEMIDJI, Minn.(John S. Glas Fieldhouse) -- Matt Francis (Sr., F, Surrey, British Columbia) posted the first multi-goal effort of his career, but that’s where the Bemidji State University men’s ice hockey team’s offense would end as the Beavers fell to Robert Morris University, 3-2, in College Hockey America (CHA) play Friday at the John S. Glas Fieldhouse.

The Beavers, who struggled to generate any momentum during the first 40 minutes of play, found themselves down 2-0 in the opening minutes of the third period. Francis scored twice in the final stanza, each time cutting BSU’s deficit to a goal, but that was as close as the Beavers would come before time ran out on the rally.

Despite dropping the game, the Beavers still grabbed the 2008-09 College Hockey America regular-season championship outright. Niagara University and the University of Alabama-Huntsville skated to a 2-2 draw leaving NU three points behind Bemidji State with just a game and the potential of two points left on the table.

After coming out of gates a bit groggy, BSU looked to get the boost it and the Glas faithful were craving as Stephan Lachapelle was whistled for a checking from behind penalty that set the Beavers up on a five-minute power-play midway through the first period. Just over three minutes later RMU’s Dave Cowan was escorted to the box for tripping to give the Beavers 5-on-3 advantage for 1:34, but the green an white were unable to convert. Three-minutes and thirty-seconds after the penalty expired, Jason Towsley netted his ninth goal of the season, giving the Colonials the first goal of the game and a 1-0 lead heading into the first intermission despite being out shot 12-5 in the period.

The teams opened the third period with the scoreboard stuck 1-0 in favor of the visitors, but 5:50 into play, Chris Margott netted his 11th goal in CHA play to put the Beavers down by two.

Bemidji State would respond at the seven-minute mark on a Francis power-play goal. Brad Hunt (Fr., D, Ridge Meadows, British Columbia) and Tyler Scofield (Sr., F, Prince George, British Columbia) were credited with assists on the play after some fifty passing beat the RMU goaltender to leave the senior with a largely open net. From the point, Hunt zipped a pass to Scofield nuzzled in on the right post before the playmaker quickly redirected the puck across the crease to Francis who was camped on the left post.

The Colonials would get a power-play goal from Margott with more than seven minutes left to reclaim a two-goal cushion.

Francis recorded his 10th goal of the season at the 16:29 mark when corralled a rebound off the pad of Brooks Ostergard and forcing back in the net, but it was too little too late. Head coach Tom Serratore pulled Matt Dalton (So., Clinton, Ontario) for the final 55 seconds but the Beavers were unable to catch break.

Dalton finished the night with 20 saves, including 10 in the second period, but allowed three goals and was tagged with the loss. He falls to 15-10-1 on the season.

Ostergard posted 28 saves in the win seeing his record improve to 4-2-3 overall and extend his unbeaten streak to seven games.

The Beavers (15-14-1; 11-4-1 CHA) and Colonials (8-17-7; 4-7-5 CHA) return to the ice tomorrow night to wrap up the 2008-09 regular season. The Beavers will honor their six seniors in a short ceremony prior to the game. The senior night finale scheduled for a 7:05 start at the John S. Glas Fieldhouse.