BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Bemidji State University Men's Hockey team overcame an early deficit to secure a 3-2 overtime victory against Bowling Green State University in their Central Collegiate Hockey Association series finale Saturday. Bemidji State capitalized on the power play with two third-period goals to erase a 2-0 BGSU lead then sophomore Hudson Thornton scored 2:58 into overtime for the game-winning goal.
 
Thornton scored one goal and added two assists, contributing to three points in the game, the most during his time with the Beavers. Senior Adam Flammang scored the game-tying, power-play goal with 9:10 left to play. Oliver Peer also posted a goal and two assists, collecting a total of three points, also a career-high for the junior. Freshman Max Hildebrand made 25-of-27 saves to collect his team-leading third victory of the season.
 
The opening period began with an early goal by BGSU's Quinn Emerson at 16:55, assisted by Breck McKinley and Tyler Hotson, establishing a 1-0 lead. Bemidji State went on the power play twice during the period but was unable to capitalize, as Jacob Steinman made key saves for the Falcons. Hildebrand faced a barrage of shots from BGSU, successfully keeping them from extending their lead. A late penalty on BSU gave BGSU another power play opportunity, but they were unable to convert before the period ended. The score stood at 1-0 in favor of the home team after the first 20 minutes.
 
BGSU extended their lead in the second period with an unassisted goal by Brayden Crampton at 15:30, marking his second of the season. The Beavers had several opportunities to respond, including shots from Peer and Alexi Sylvestre that were saved by Steinman. The visitors were unable to capitalize on their power plays, with the BGSU defense and Steinman holding firm. The period ended with the Falcons maintaining a 2-0 advantage.
 
Bemidji State leveled the score against BGSU in the third period with effective use of the power play. A hooking penalty early in the period put the visitors at a disadvantage, but a subsequent hooking penalty on Quinn Emerson provided an opportunity for BSU. Peer capitalized on the power play, tying the game at 16:17 with an assist from Thornton and Reilly Funk. Shortly after, another power-play opportunity arose due to a boarding penalty on Gustav Stjernberg. Bemidji State seized the chance, with Flammang scoring at 9:10, assisted by Thornton and Peer, to bring the game to a 2-2 standstill. The period ended without further scoring, leaving both teams deadlocked.
 
Thornton secured a sudden-death victory for the Beavers in overtime, netting the game-winning goal at 2:58. The scoring play was set up by Peer, who provided the assist, as Bemidji State capitalized on their offensive pressure. Earlier in the period, both teams traded shots, with Hotson and Jackson Niedermayer testing the Bemidji St. defense, but goalies Max Hildebrand and Jacob Steinman held firm. Bemidji State emerged victorious in a tense overtime, improving their season record with Thornton's second goal of the season.
 
Bemidji State's special teams were a factor in the game scoring twice while on the power play and held the Falcons empty on their four power-play opportunities.
 
The Beavers remain undefeated in conference play improving to 3-0-1 in CCHA play and atop the league standings with nine points. Bemidji State has earned a point in all four conference games this season and are back above .500 with a 5-4-1 overall record.
 
The Beavers now return home to Sanford Center and host Lake Superior State University for a CCHA series beginning Friday, Nov. 7.
 
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.
 
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—