GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The Bemidji State University Men's Hockey team held a two-goal lead late in the first period but No. 1 University of North Dakota stormed back to defeat the Beavers 3-2 in overtime in their series opener Friday night at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
For the second game in a row, the Beavers scored within the first two minutes of the game to take an early lead when freshman
Kasper Magnussen scored on the first shot of the game.
The Beavers then took a two-goal lead with just 2:30 remaining in the frame when senior
Jackson Jutting scored his third goal in two games.
The Fighting Hawks answered quickly with a crucial goal just before the period's end off the stick of Cameron Berg just 35 seconds after Jutting's goal.
Senior goaltender
Gavin Enright was dialed in in the second period and turned aside all 12 Fighting Hawks' shot in the frame to keep the Beavers up 2-1 with 20 minutes remaining.
However, 5:18 in the third period, Berg scored his second of the game to tie it up.
Both teams jockeyed for the go-ahead goal with the remaining time in the final period with BSU posting five shots in the period and UND 6 but neither team could take the lead in regulation as the two teams would head to the three-on-three overtime to decide a winner.
It did not take long for a team to score the game-winning goal and just 50 seconds into the extra frame, UND's Jackson Blake scored his ninth goal of the season to send the Fighting Hawks to victory.
Enright was strong in net for the Beavers posting 29 saves, his second highest total of the season, but earns the loss falling to 4-6-0 on the season.
The Beavers' penalty kill took a step forward tonight denying the Fighting Hawks on two power-play chances but the Beavers were unable to set up on the power play, failing to receive a man-advantage.
The Beavers fall to 5-8-0 with the loss while the Fighting Hawks improve to 10-2-1.
The series will be decided tomorrow night as the two teams meet for game two at Ralph Engelstad Arena. Puck drop is slated for 6:07 p.m.
For more information on the Bemidji State men's hockey program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on Twitter or Instagram (@BSUBeaversMHKY), or like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers).
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's hockey in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and women's hockey 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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