GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The (RV) Bemidji State University Men's Hockey team fell to No. 6 University of North Dakota, 2–1, in overtime Saturday night in their non-conference series finale at Ralph Engelstad Arena Saturday. Bemidji State tied the game in the second period with a goal from Kasper Magnussen, but UND secured the win with a power-play goal in the three-on-three extra session.
 
Magnussen scored the lone goal for the Beavers and finished with four shots on target while Adam Flammang contributed an assist and recorded six shots. Max Hildebrand excelled in between the pipes making 28 saves despite falling to the sixth-ranked Fighting Hawks.
 
The first period commenced with Bemidji State's offensive pressure, as Maxon Vig and Adam Flammang registered early attempts, both thwarted by UND's defense and goaltender Jan Špunar. Despite outshooting UND, Bemidji State failed to capitalize on numerous opportunities, including a power play midway through the period. Hildebrand stood firm in goal for Bemidji State, turning aside multiple shots from the Fighting Hawks, including attempts by Anthony Menghini and Keaton Verhoeff. The period concluded scoreless, with both teams displaying strong defensive plays and effective goaltending.
 
UND took the lead early in the second period when Ben Strinden scored at 13:03 with assists from Cole Reschny and Keaton Verhoeff. Bemidji State responded at 7:29 when Magnussen netted the equalizer, assisted by Flammang, for his seventh of the season and fourth in as many games. Both teams had scoring opportunities throughout the period, but goaltenders Špunar and Hildebrand made crucial saves to keep the score level. The period ended with each team adding one goal to their tally, leaving the game tied at 1–1.
 
The third period between Bemidji State and UND saw both teams struggling to find the back of the net. Bemidji State's Flammang was active early with multiple shots, but Špunar kept the Fighting Hawks steady in goal. Bemidji State's defense, led by Ben Vigneault and Mitch Wolfe, blocked several attempts from UND, with Hildebrand making crucial saves, including a late one on Ollie Josephson. Despite several opportunities, neither team managed to score, and the period ended scoreless.
 
The overtime period began with both teams seeking the decisive goal. UND's Strinden and Will Zellers each had early opportunities, but Bemidji State's Hildebrand turned them aside. Bemidji State was penalized for holding at 2:21, giving the Fighting Hawks a power-play chance. UND capitalized quickly, as Zellers scored the game-winning goal on the power play at 2:50, assisted by Jake Livanavage and Verhoeff, securing a 2–1 victory.
 
North Dakota took advantage of its only man-advantage of the game scoring the game-winning goal on its lone power-play opportunity. BSU went 0-for-2 in its two power play attempts.
 
The Beavers are now 9-7-2 overall and continue play on the road but resume Central Collegiate Hockey Association play with a road trip to Augustana University next weekend to meet the Vikings for the second time this season. That series will conclude the first-half of the 2025-26 season for BSU.
 
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).
 
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