BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University Men's Hockey freshman Lleyton Roed started to the scoring for the Beavers but No. 12/13 Minnesota State University, Mankato responded to score four unanswered goals to earn the 4-1 victory over BSU in their Central Collegiate Hockey Association series opener Friday night at Sanford Center.
 
Bemidji State now falls to 12-14-5 on the season and 10-10-3 in CCHA play but remain fourth in the league standings after Ferris State University fell in its game against Northern Michigan University.
 
The Beavers and Mavericks played to a scoreless first period but Roed opened the scoring in the game during the middle frame after scoring a breakaway unassisted goal for his 11^th of the season and 25^th point of the season with just 5:54 left in the period.
 

Lleyton Roed with the first goal of the game for the Beavers!#GoBeavers #BeaverTerritory pic.twitter.com/2TxUuscUdH

— Bemidji State Men's Hockey (@BSUBeaversMHKY) February 18, 2023

 
However the lead wouldn't last long and just 1:42 later, Minnesota State tied when Christian Fitsgerald found a loose puck in front of the Beavers net to score his 11^th of the season. Just as it seemed the period would end once again locked in a tie, Fitzgerald struck again just before the periods end and scored his second of the game with just 59 seconds left in the frame to take the lead.
 
Minnesota State had all of the momentum and added to its lead 6:54 into the third period when Lucas Sowder found the back of the net for his third goal of the season. The goal deflated the Beavers attempt at a late comeback and with 9:20 left in the game the Mavericks scored the back-breaking goal from the stick of Jake Livingstone to seal the victory and earn three crucial league points.
 
Minnesota State finished the game out-shooting the Beavers 26-16 in the game with sophomore goaltender Mattias Sholl making 22 saves but falls to 10-10-5 on the season.
 
Bemidji State earned two power plays in the game but failed to score a power-play goal but its penalty kill held the Mavericks scoreless on their three chances. The Beavers' penalty kill has now successfully killed of their opponents last 16 power plays.
 
The Beavers will attempt to salvage the series split against the Mavericks tomorrow night and will honor their nine seniors before the game in part of Senior Night. Puck drop for game two between the Beavers and Mavericks is set for 6:07 p.m. at Sanford Center.
 
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).
 
--bsu-- Read Full Article