BEMIDJI, Minn. – Ferris State University's Kaleb Ergang scored the game-winning goal with just 1:08 left to play to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 victory over the Bemidji State University men's hockey team in their Central Collegiate Hockey Association series opening game Friday night. 

With the loss the Beavers fall to 13-12-0 and 11-6-0 in CCHA play while the Bulldogs improve to 8-17-0 and 6-11-0 in CCHA play. 

Bemidji State got off to a hot start in the game when junior Kyle Looft scored just 3:17 into the opening period for his third goal of the game. He was assisted by Alex Adams and Sam Solensky on the play. Bemidji State carried the one-goal lead into the second period but Dallas Tulik tied the game with just 4:47 left in the middle frame with his fifth goal of the season.

The two teams went into the third period locked in the one-one tie and played most of the period without the go-ahead goal. However, just as it seemed the game was headed into the three-on-three overtime, Ergang batted home a rebounded Bulldog shot that snuck past Beaver goaltender Mattias Sholl for the go-ahead and eventual game-winning goal. 

The loss was just the third loss during the month of January for the Beavers after previously earning a three-game win streak earlier in the month.

Bemidji State out-shot Ferris State 29-21 in the game while Sholl earned the loss in net to fall to 8-6-0 this season after making 19 saves. His counterpart Noah Giesbrecht earned his second win of the season and improves to 2-2-0 after stopping 28-of-29 shots. 

BSU's third-ranked power play went 0-for-3 on its three chances during the game while its penalty kill denied the Bulldogs on all three of their chances.

The Beavers will look to salvage a series split against the Bulldogs tomorrow night at 6:07 p.m.

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

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