BEMIDJI, Minn. (Sanford Center) -- Kyle Bauman (1g-1a) and Cory Ward (2a) each notched two points as the Bemidji State University men's hockey team defeated University of Alabama-Huntsville, 4-0, in Western Collegiate Hockey Association play Friday evening at Sanford Center.

The Beavers' effort was backstopped by freshman goaltender Michael Bitzer, who turned aside 18 Charger shots to post his first collegiate shutout and extend BSU's unbeaten streak to six games (3-0-3).

It didn't take long for the Beavers, who where skating int their first action in 28 days, to shake off the rust and build a lead. Captain Matt Prapavessis netted a power-play goal through traffic at the 6:39 mark of the first period. His fifth tally of the season came with help form Ward and Bauman. Just over three minutes later (10:07), Charlie O'Connor scored his seventh of the season to send the Beavers into the first intermission owning a 2-0 advantage.

The second period was highlighted by Bauman's first collegiate goal. The freshman intercepted an errant pass in the slot and deposited it into the back of the net at the 7:21 mark of the frame.

John Parker brought the score to its final resting place at the 16:21 mark of the third period.

The Beavers finished the game with a 33-18 advantage in shot on goal and won the special teams battle going 1-for-2 on the man advantage while blanking the Chargers power-play unit on three opportunities (0-3).

Bitzer stopped eight shots in the first, six in the second and four in the third en rout to BSU's first shutout since Jan. 25 of last season when Andrew Walsh posted 25 saves to lead BSU to a 4-0 victory versus University of Alaska-Fairbanks. Bitzer improves to 4-5-1 in 2014-15.

Bemidji State, now 6-10-3 overall and 4-6-3 in league play, wraps ups its two-game series with Alabama-Huntsville tomorrow. Opening face off is set for 7:07 p.m. at Sanford Center.

--bsu--