KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- (Lawson Ice Arena) -- For the first time in 54 years of storied collegiate hockey history at Bemidji State University, the Beavers skated to a 0-0 tie. Saturday the Beavers failed to score in 60 minutes of regulation and the five-minute overtime period, while Dan Bakala (So., G, Calgary, Alberta) posted his second career shutout versus Western Michigan University in the scoreless tie at Lawson Ice Arena in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Bakala turned away 31 saves in the game, equalling a career-high set in a 2-1 victory over the University of Alabama-Huntsville Nov. 1 of this season.

In addition to Bakala’s flawless effort between the pipes, BSU’s team defense came up with 11 blocked shots. Brady Wacker (Fr., Jansen, Saskatchewan) led all Bemidji State players with three blocks.

Although the game officially goes in the books as a tie, Western Michigan earned bragging rights, taking the exhibition shootout, 2-1, in three rounds.

The Beavers sent Matt Read (Jr., F, Ilderton, Ontario), Jamie MacQueen (So., F, St. Thomas, Ontario) and Shea Walters (So., F, Hibbing, Minn.) to the ice for the shootout. Read was stymied by a kick save from Riley Gill, who posted his eighth career shutout in the contest. Bakala responded with a save of his own. Then MacQueen made good on his shootout attempt and the Broncos knotted the score at 1-1 with a goal form Max Campbell. Finally after Walters missed on his attempt, WMU’s J.J. Crew lit the lamp to send the WMU faithful home happy.

Western Michigan held a slight edge on the shot board peppering Bakala with 31 shots on goal, while the Beavers managed to fire 29 on target at the other end of the ice.

The Beavers’ penalty kill unit got back on track holding WMU scoreless on three power-play opportunities after allowing five goals on eight opportunities in the series versus Minnesota State University Dec. 11-12. On the flip side, the Beaver power-play unit was held without a goal on four chances, managing just three shots on net.

The BSU/WMU all-time series remains deadlocked at 2-2-1. Entering the series each team own a pair of wins in the rivalry (2-2-0) dating back to 2004.

The Beavers (13-4-2) will attempt to claim the series and grasp en advantage in the rivalry with a victory over the Broncos (6-9-4) in tomorrow’s series finale. The rare Sunday matinee is set for 3:30 p.m. (CST) at Lawson Ice Arena.

--bsu--