BEMIDJI, Minn. (Sanford Center) -- The Bemidji State University men's hockey team stretched its unbeaten streak to four games (2-0-2) with a 4-2 Western Collegiate Hockey Association victory over Northern Michigan University Friday at Sanford Center.

The Beavers' balance scoring attack saw 10 different players record a point in the game, led by John Parker and Sam Windle, who each registered two assists, while freshman goaltender Michael Bitzer posted 20 saves to collect his third win of the season.

BSU wasted no time grabbing the lead. Just 2:25 after the drop of the puck, John Parker unleashed a shot on goal that goaltender Michael Doan, who was making his second appearance of the season, was unable to corral and Nate Arentz was on the doorstep to slip the rebound across the goal line.

NMU controlled play for a majority of the second period, but the Beavers would push the lead to 2-0 at the 18:04 mark, when Myles Fitzgerald bounced a shot of the back of Doan for his third goal of the season. His brothers Leo and Gerry were credited with assists on the play.

Before the second period came to a close, the Wildcats pushed back. Reed Seckel finished a nifty passing play at the 19:41 mark to cut the deficit to one goal heading into the final 20 minutes of play.

BSU would get another blue collar goal at the 16:04 mark of the third period. Markus Gerbrandt funneled a puck toward the goal and Philip Brewer crashed the net to tip in the rebound. The goal stretched BSU's lead to 3-1, but again the Wildcats answered with an extra-attacker goal by Jake Baker 62 seconds later.

Cory Ward put the final nail in the coffin at the 19:32 mark, collecting the puck at the top of the Beavers' defensive zone and firing it into a empty net for his fifth tally of 2014-15.

BSU was 0-for-2 on the power play in the game, including a five-minute man advantage in the in the third period, while NMU was without a power-play opportunity.

Bitzer improved to 3-5-0 in the game.

The victory was the Beavers' first WCHA win since a 4-3 overtime win versus University of Alaska Nov. 1.

The Beavers (5-10-2; 3-6-2 WCHA) and NMU (8-5-2; 5-5-1 WCHA) will complete the WCHA series and the first half of the 2014-15 season tomorrow night. Opening face off is set for 7:07 p.m. at Sanford Center.

--bsu--