ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Men's Hockey team fought hard but ultimately fell to University of St. Thomas, 3-2, in a thrilling end to their Central Collegiate Hockey Association series in St. Paul, Minn. The Beavers showcased their tenacity with a power-play goal in the third period, yet it wasn't enough to overcome the two final-period goals scored by the Tommies.
 
Max Namestnikov found the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season and gave the Beavers an early 1-0 lead. Reilly Funk scored a power-play goal late in the third to bring the Beavers within one for his third power-play goal of the season and seventh overall. Isa Parekh, Vann Yuhas and Jake McLean each collected assists while Max Hildebrand made 18-of-21 saves.
 
The game kicked off with Bemidji State's Jake McLean winning the opening faceoff against St. Thomas's Lucas Wahlin. Early adversity struck when BSU was penalized for roughing just 11 seconds in, gifting the Tommies a power play. Yet, thanks to key saves by Max Hildebrand, the penalty expired scoreless. Bemidji State then struck at even strength at 16:47, as Namestnikov scored the period's only goal with McLean's assist, closing the period with a 1-0 lead despite several penalties.
 
In the second period, Lucas Wahlin scored at 15:16 for the Tommies, assisted by Ryan O'Neill and Caige Sterzer, leveling the score. The Beavers had multiple power-play opportunities but couldn't break through, as the Tommies' defense held firm. Bemidji State peppered the net, including attempts from Namestnikov and Kasper Magnussen, but Aaron Trotter's key saves kept the score tied at 1-1 as the period concluded.
 
St. Thomas pulled ahead in the third period with a short-handed goal by Nathan Pilling at 18:55, assisted by Wahlin and Chase Cheslock. They struck again at 16:56 with a power-play goal from Lucas Van Vliet, assisted by Cheslock and Charlie Schoen, pushing the lead to 3–1. The Beavers answered back with a power-play goal from Funk at 11:50, assisted by Yuhas and Parekh, cutting the deficit to 3–2. Despite Bemidji State's vigorous efforts to equalize, including pulling the goalie in the final minutes, the Tommies held firm for the victory.
 
The Tommies completed the sweep over the Beavers for the first time since the two programs met in 1961 and 46 all-time meetings.
 
Bemidji State now holds a 9-12-3 overall record and a 7-6-3 mark in conference play while the Tommies improved to 14-7-3 overall, with an 11-3-2 standing in conference competition.
 
For the most up to date information on the Bemidji State men's hockey program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com or follow the Beavers on X, 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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