BEMIDJI, Minn. – For the first time since 2021, the Bemidji State University Men's Hockey team upset No. 15/14 University of North Dakota Friday night in game one of their non-conference home-and-home series held at Sanford Center. Defensemen Mitch Wolfe and Isa Parekh each scored for the Beavers while senior Mattias Sholl made 34 saves to propel the Beavers to victory.
 
The win snapped a four-game unbeaten streak (0-3-1) against the Fighting Hawks and is the Beavers sixth win in the all-time series that dates back to 1970 and their first win over North Dakota on home ice since 2018. The win is also the Beavers' fourth win of the season over a ranked opponent marking the first time since 2014-15 that BSU earned victories over four different ranked opponents in a season.
 
The Beavers extend a four-game unbeaten streak with the win and are 3-0-1 over their last four games and improved to 7-6-1 on the season.
 
The teams skated to a scoreless first period and most of the second period went without a goal scorer as well. Wolfe ended the 39-minute scoreless drought by scoring his first goal of the season with a shot off the rush after pushing ahead on the play.
 

GOAL ALERT!!!

Mitch Wolfe scores his first goal of the season to put the Beavers ahead! Goal was assisted by Eric Martin and Vince Corcoran!#GoBeavers #BeaverTerritory pic.twitter.com/1mfgv0mTLW

— Bemidji State Men's Hockey (@BSUBeaversMHKY) November 30, 2024

 
The goal was scored with 56.5 seconds left in the second period and was Wolfe's first of the season, second of his collegiate career and first since March 2, 2024 (272 days). Fifth-year senior Eric Martin and junior Vince Corcoran each earned assists on the play.
 
The Beavers would score the crucial next goal when freshman Isa Parekh one-timed the puck and beat goaltender T.J. Semptimphelter to score his third goal of the season and second in three games.
 

GOAL ALERT!!!

Isa Parekh puts one in midway through the third! Assisted by Tory Lund and Reilly Funk! Beavers lead by 2!#GoBeavers #BeaverTerritory pic.twitter.com/brlSNjSarz

— Bemidji State Men's Hockey (@BSUBeaversMHKY) November 30, 2024

 
Parekh extended his point streak to three games with the goal and has three points (2g-1a) during the streak. He was assisted by freshman Tory Lund who earned his first collegiate point on the play and junior Reilly Funk who earned his fourth assist of the season and has a point over the last two games.
 
The Fighting Hawks made all 4,373 in attendance nervous by pulling within one when Sacha Boisvert scored a goal that redirected off a BSU player with 3:33 left to play to snap Sholl's attempt at the shutout.
 
However, the Beavers survived the final push from the Fighting Hawks and earned the 2-1 series opening victory.
 
North Dakota finished outshooting the Beavers 35-22 in the game but Sholl was once again dominant between the pipes and earned his sixth victory of the season. It is the fourth time this season that Sholl had made 30 or more saves in a game and the 19^th time in his career.
 
The Beavers penalty kill denied the Fighting Hawks on both of their power-play chances which both occurred in the first period. Bemidji State has now successfully killed off the last six power-play attempts against ranked opponents.
 
Bemidji State will now attempt at the program's first-ever series sweep over the Fighting Hawks tomorrow night 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).
 
--bsu—