BEMIDJI, Minn. (Sanford Center) -- The Bemidji State University men's hockey team held a 40-22 edge in shots on goal Friday but ran into a hot goaltender as the Bowling Green State University's Zack Rose turned aside 38 shots to propel the Falcons to a 3-2 victory over the Beavers to begin the Central Collegiate Hockey Association series.

The Beavers opened the game with a dominant first period of play. BSU outshot the Falcons 16-5 in the frame and got four power-play opportunities. With just six seconds left in the period, Eric Martin was on the back door during one of those chances to collect and deposit a rebound off a Brad Johnson laser to put the Beavers up 1-0 at the first intermission.

Bowling Green flipped the script in the second period. The Falcons bookended the period with goals to take a 2-1lead into the third period. Christopher Collin evened the score at the 1:21 mark of the period, while Coale Norris found the back of the net at the 19:44 mark.

Mattias Sholl was in net for the Beavers. While he stopped 19 shots in 58:28 of play, he surrendered three even-strength goals and was tagged with his first collegiate loss.  The freshman moves to 2-1-0 in his young career.

Bemidji State, now 3-4-0 overall and 2-1-0 in CCHA play, will attempt to even its record and salvage a series split tomorrow when the Beavers host the Falcons in the league series finale. Opening faceoff is set for 6:07 p.m. at Sanford Center.

More to come...

--bsu--