BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State Men's Hockey team fell to Michigan Technological University, 5-2, Friday night in their Central Collegiate Hockey Association series opener at Sanford Center. The Huskies used a three-goal first period to silence any momentum that BSU had at the start of the game. The Beavers did respond with two goals in the second period, but the Huskies cemented their victory with two more in the third.
 
Senior Connor McClennon scored both of the Beavers' goals for his third multi-goal effort of the season. Senior Reilly Funk assisted on each goal potting two assists in a game for the fourth time in his career and first of the season. Junior Raythan Robbins made 11 saves but earned the loss in the crease.
 
The first period began with the Huskies establishing a strong presence, taking an early lead just 43 seconds in through Isaac Gordon's goal, assisted by Stiven Sardarian. Bemidji State responded with several attempts on goal, but MTU's Owen Bartoszkiewicz made key saves to maintain the edge. MTU extended the lead at 13:22 when Tom Leppa found the back of the net, with assists from Carson Birnie and Matthew Van Blaricom. Bemidji State had a power play opportunity but failed to capitalize before Max Koskipirtti scored at 4:35, giving Michigan Tech a 3–0 advantage heading into the intermission.
 
BSU narrowed the gap early in the second period when McClennon scored at 18:32, assisted by Funk and Vince Corcoran, bringing the score to 3-1. McClennon struck again at 9:40, with Funk providing the assist once more, to reduce MTU's lead to one goal. Despite numerous attempts, including two power plays, Bemidji State couldn't find the equalizer before the period ended. MTU's Bartoszkiewicz made several key saves to maintain their slim margin heading into the third period.
 
Bemidji State and the Huskies entered the third period with Michigan Tech holding a lead. The period featured strong defensive efforts from both teams, including blocked shots by Jack Anderson and Mitch Wolfe. Koskipirtti extended MTU's lead with a goal at 6:42, assisted by Sardarian. Elias Jansson sealed the game with an empty-net goal at 3:19, assisted by Anderson and Joe Prouty, securing a 5–2 victory for the Huskies.
 
The Beavers fall to 9-9-3 (7-3-3 CCHA) and look to salvage the series sweep tomorrow night for game two. Puck drop is slated for 6:07 p.m., and tickets can be purchased at the Sanford Center Box Office or online at ticketmaster.com.
 
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).
 
--bsu—