BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (Slater Family Ice Arena) -- No. 8 Bowling Green State University netted two goals during the first 5:13 of play Saturday and rode the early advantage to a 3-1 victory over Bemidji State.

Seven different Falcons recorded a point and Ryan Bednard turned aside 24 of the 25 shots he faced in goal to help BGSU salvage a Western Collegiate Hockey Association series split with the win.

Senior defender Justin Baudry scored the Beavers' only goal, marking his second goal in as many games and his fourth tally in BSU's last six games. He has now recorded a point in nine of the last 13 contests (4g-10a). His 17 points, which includes a career-high 13 assists, ranks second on the team behind Aaron Miller (10g-8a).

Goaltender Zach Driscoll, who was in net for his second consecutive start, was tagged with the loss after allowing two Falcon goals. He collected 21 saves.

Trailing 2-0 early, the Beavers got the benefit of three power-play chances late in the first period. With just 44 seconds to go in the frame, BSU's Aaron Miller and Brendan Harris combined to find Baudry for a power-play goal sending BSU into the first intermission trailing the nationally-ranked Falcons 2-1.

Using five power-play opportunities in the second period, BGSU retained momentum through 40 minutes and took the same one-goal advantage into the third period.

Down 2-1 with 1:15 to play, Bemidji State took a time out and pulled its goaltender with the hope of sparking offense with an extra attacker. The tactic failed as Connor Ford dumped the puck into the empty net to put the Falcons in front 3-1 with 48 seconds left onthe clock.

The Beavers, now 9-10-3 overall and 7-6-1-0 in WCHA play, returns to Bemidji, Minn. and the Sanford Center Jan. 11 and 12 to host the University of Alaska in a two-game league series. Opening face off is set for 7:07 p.m. Friday with a 5:07 p.m. start for the series finale Saturday.

--bsu--