BEMIDJI, Minn. (Sanford Center) -- The Bemidji State University men's hockey team managed only 18 shots on goal and Minnesota State University, Mankato goaltender Stephon Williams stopped all 18 to lead the Mavericks to a 3-0 victory Saturday. The victory snapped BSU's 10-game home unbeaten streak and clinched the WCHA regular-season title for MSU.

The Mavericks' Brett Knowles broke a scoreless tie 8:53 into the first period, capitalizing on a BSU turnover to net his sixth goal of the season.

The goal would be the momentum shift MSU needed. After being out played for the first six minutes and being outshot, 5-0 during that span, the Mavericks took control and rode their goaltender and the wave of momentum to the victory.

MSU would add a goal from Bryce Gervais at the 14:05 mark of the third period to go up 2-0 and when BSU pulled its goaltender, Brad McClure would pot and empty-net goal to bring the score to a final at 3-0.

The game also served as the final regular-season home contest for six BSU seniors. Philip Brewer, Mitch Cain, Matt Prapavessis, Sam Rendle, Sam Windle and Andrew Walsh each skated in their final regular-season home game.  Over the course of the last four seasons and 145 games, these seniors provided the leadership and work ethic to supply the Beaver Hockey program with a solid foundation in the WCHA. In addition, the class helped BSU win the North Star College Cup title in its debut appearance and secured a WCHA home playoff series for the first time in Beaver Hockey history.

Bemidji State finished the 2014-15 regular season 16-15-5 overall and gained fourth place in the league standings going 12-11-5 in WCHA play. As the No.4 seed in the tournament, BSU earned the right to host the first round of the league playoffs. BSU will host the No. 5 seed Ferris State University in a best-of-three series March 13-15 at Sanford Center.

Single-game WCHA playoff tickets for the series can be purchased at the Sanford Center Bob Lowth Ford Pickup Window from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, at Ticketmaster.com or at any Ticketmaster outlet.

WCHA first-round playoff tickets can be purchased for $12 for youth (2 y/o to 12^th grade), $25 for adult reserved seats and $45 in the club section.

Student tickets can be purchased for $5 with a valid BSU or NTC student ID.

Bemidji State notables:

• Bemidji State is 4-9-0 versus teams ranked among the nation’s top 15 according to the USAToday/USA Hockey poll. BSU’s victories versus top teams include: then No. 2 North Dakota (Oct. 10), No. 7 Minnesota Duluth (Jan. 23), then No. 1 Minnesota State (Jan. 24) and No. 2 Minnesota State (March 6).

• The Beavers are 2-3-0 versus Minnesota State this season when the Mavericks are ranked in the top 15 in the country.

• BSU is 49-45-13 versus Minnesota State all-time, in a series that got its start in 1974.

• Bemidji State is 32-16-5 when hosting Minnesota State in Bemidji, Minn.

• The Beavers finished the regular season 10-5-2 at Sanford Center. The last time the Beavers posted 10 wins on home ice was when in 2011-12 season (11-6-1).

• Saturday’s 3-0 loss stood as just the second time the Beavers have been shutout in 2014-15 and the first time in 17 games.

• The Beavers’ 12 wins in WCHA stand as its largest win total since joining the league prior to the 2010-11 season.

--bsu--