BEMIDJI, Minn. – University of Minnesota Duluth defeated the Bemidji State University Men's Hockey team 7-3 Friday night at Sanford Center in their non-conference series opener. Bemidji State opened the scoring with two goals in the first period, but the Bulldogs responded with three goals in the same frame and maintained control for the remainder of the game.
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A pair of Beavers scored their first collegiate goals with junior
Vincent Labelle and sophomore
Hudson Thornton netting their first goals wearing the green and white. Junior
Noah Quinn scored his first of the season to cap-off the scoring for the Beavers.
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The first period began with a quick start from Bemidji State, as Quinn scored 2:26 into the game with assists from
Jake McLean and
Max Namestnikov. Bemidji State doubled their lead to 2-0 just 2:24 later when Labelle found the net, assisted by
Vince Corcoran and
Kasper Magnussen. UMD responded swiftly, cutting the deficit to 2-1 at 5:59 on a goal by Jayson Shaugabay, with helpers from Zam and Max Plante. The visitors equalized the game at 12:00 when Max Plante scored, assisted by Shaugabay and Zam Plante. The Bulldogs took the lead at 17:31 with Joey Pierce's goal, putting them up 3-2 heading into the intermission. A late penalty on UMD gave Bemidji State a power play opportunity, but the frame ended with the visitors maintaining their one-goal advantage.
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UMD widened their lead in the second frame, starting with a short-handed goal by Max Plante at 12:02, marking his fifth of the season. Less than two minutes later, Daniel Shlaine extended the advantage with an even-strength goal assisted by Ryan Zaremba and Blake Bechen at 11:25. The visitors capitalized on another opportunity when Zam Plante scored on the power play at 9:52, assisted by Shaugabay and Ty Hanson, making it 6-2. Bemidji State responded with a power-play goal from Thornton, assisted by
Oliver Peer and
Vann Yuhas, at 1:05 to close the period trailing 6-3.
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UMD extended their lead early in the third period with a power-play goal by Zam Plante at 18:24, assisted by Shaugabay. Bemidji State struggled to capitalize on their offensive opportunities, missing several shots despite outshooting their opponent. Notably, Funk and Peer had attempts that were saved by goalie Adam Gajan. Bemidji State had a chance to cut into the lead with a late power play opportunity starting at 1:16, but were unable to find the back of the net before the period concluded, resulting in a 7-3 victory for UMD.
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Bemidji State totaled five power plays in the game scoring one power-play goal while the Bulldogs scored two power-play goals on four opportunities.
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Freshman
Max Hildebrand started in between the pipes for the Beavers making nine saves before sophomore
Trent Wiemken made his BSU debut midway through the second period. He totaled nine saves as well including seven in the final period.
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Bemidji State is now 2-3-0 while the Bulldogs improve to 4-1-0 as the teams travel East to Duluth, Minn., to play the series finale at AMSOIL Arena. Puck drop is slated for 6:07 p.m.
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For more information on the Bemidji State men's hockey program, tickets or schedules, visit
BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on
X or
Instagram or like them on
Facebook.
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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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--bsu—