MANKATO, Minn. (Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center) -- No. 3 Minnesota State University, Mankato logged three consecutive goals to erase an early Bemidji State University lead and hand the Beavers their first loss since Dec. 29, Friday, snapping BSU's six-game unbeaten streak (5-0-1). The Mavericks won the series-opening game, 3-2, at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. 

Owen Sillinger got the Beavers on the board at the 4:49 mark of the first period with help from Nick Cardelli and Tommy Muck. The sophomore forward and BSU got the benefit of a MSU penalty just 4:36 into the game and needed just 13 seconds to capitalize.

The Beavers carried the 1-0 lead nearly 10 minutes into the second period, but a Andrew Carrol lamplighter evened the score (9:57) and ignited the MSU scoring run. Nathan Smith pushed the Mavericks into the lead for the first time, beating the BSU goaltender, Zach Driscoll, at the 16:55 mark.

MSU stretched its lead to two goals, 3-1, at the 5:10 mark of the third frame when Alex Gerads netted his third goal of the season. But the Beavers answered. Brad Johnson found the back of the net just 76 seconds later (6:26) on a one-timer from the point. Hampus Sjodahl and Sam Solensky were credited with assists on the play. It was the first collegiate assist for Solensky. But that was where the BSU comeback would end.

Driscoll finished the night making stops on 16 of the 19 shots he faced as the Beavers out shot the Mavericks 20-19 in the game. Driscoll moved to 12-6-3 overall.

Bemidji State, now 13-8-4 overall and 13-4-2-1 in WCHA play, will attempt to salvage a series split and begin a new unbeaten streak when it battles Minnesota State again tomorrow to complete the two-game set. The opening faceoff is set for 6:07 p.m.

--bsu--