BEMIDJI, Minn. (Sanford Center) -- Top-ranked Minnesota State University, Mankato used a four-goal second period to extend a 1-0 lead to 5-0 after 40 minutes of play before handing Bemidji State University a 5-1 loss to open a Central Collegiate Hockey Association series Friday night at Sanford Center. 

All-American goaltender Dryden McKay faced just 12 BSU shots and stopped 11 to backstop the Mavericks to their 15th victory of the season and 11th league win. MSU used the triumph to extend its lead over BSU in the CCHA standings to eight points.

Tied 0-0 for the bulk of the first period, Ryan Sandelin found the back of the net at the 17:31 mark of the period to steal momentum and take a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

Minnesota State picked up right where it left off, netting two goals in the first 3:49 of the second period. First Reggie Lutz found the back of the net just 71 seconds into the frame and then Julian Napravnik scored at the 3:49 mark to put MSU up 3-0. MSU then got the benefit of a five-minute major penalty to BSU blueliner Tyler Jubenvill. While the Mavericks failed to score on the extended power-play opportunity, it kept BSU chasing the game. MSU finished the period with goals by Brendan Furry (14:16) and Jake Livingstone to hold a 5-0 lead.

An Achilles heel for the Beavers all season, the second period again doomed BSU Friday. Following the Mavericks' four-goal scoring burst, BSU has now been surrendered 24 second-period goals and has scored 14 through 17 games of the 2021-22 season.

Ross Armour broke up the MSU shutout late in the third netting his fourth goal of the season. Alex Adams found the senior crashing the net and Armour flipped a backhand past McKay to finish a rush with 2:40 to play. Tyler Kirkup was also credited with an assist on the goal. 

Mattias Sholl opened the game in the crease for the BSU. He faced 29 shots in 40 minutes of play and totaled 24 saves.  He was tagged with the loss, snapping his three-game winning streak and dropping his season record to 5-3-0. Gavin Enright played 19:54 in relief and stopped all six shots he faced.

The Beavers, now 10-7-0 on the season and 8-3-0 in CCHA play, will attempt to salvage a series split tomorrow when they again host the Mavericks to wrap up the conference series. The opening faceoff is set for 6:07 p.m. at Sanford Center. 

Nestled in Northern Minnesota's wooded region and located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's and women's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and Western Collegiate Hockey Association, respectively, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

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