Bemidji State University

BEMIDJI, Minn. – A power-play goal from junior defenseman Hudson Thornton 3:14 into overtime lifted the Bemidji State University Men's Hockey team to a 3-2 season-opening victory over St. Cloud State University Saturday night at Sanford Center in non-conference action.
 
The Beavers struck first and carried a two-goal lead into the second period before weathering a St. Cloud State comeback. After the Huskies tied the game midway through the third period, Bemidji State capitalized on a Huskies' penalty in overtime as Thornton buried the game-winner with 1:46 remaining in the extra session.
 
Bemidji State outshot St. Cloud State 34-26 and controlled the faceoff circle with a 55-percent success rate while converting its lone power-play goal of the night at the most critical moment.
 
The Beavers wasted little time grabbing momentum in the new season. Max Namestnikov opened the scoring just 4:12 into the contest when he finished a setup from Maxon Vig and Jake McLean to put BSU ahead 1-0.
 
Bemidji State doubled its lead early in the second period. McLean found the back of the net at 4:04 off assists from Vann Yuhas and Thornton, giving the Beavers a 2-0 advantage.
 
St. Cloud State answered later in the frame when Nolan Roed converted on the power play at 13:47 to cut the deficit to one. The Huskies carried that momentum into the third period and eventually pulled even when Charlie Lurie scored at 7:11 of the third to make it 2-2.
 
Both teams generated chances over the remainder of regulation, but BSU goaltender Max Hildebrand stood tall when needed, finishing with 24 saves to earn his first win of the season. His counterpart, Yan Shostak, stopped 31 shots for St. Cloud State.
 
The decisive sequence came in overtime after the Huskies were whistled for a slashing penalty with 2:36 remaining. Following a Beaver timeout to set up the power play, Thornton blasted home the game-winning goal at 3:14 of overtime off assists from Namestnikov and Carter Rapalje, sending the Sanford Center crowd home celebrating.
 
Thornton, McLean and Namestnikov each finished with a goal and an assist to pace the Beaver offense. Thornton's two-point night included the overtime winner, while McLean contributed the second-period strike and an assist on the opening goal. Namestnikov also posted a goal and an assist, including the primary helper on the game-winner.
 
The victory improves Bemidji State to 1-0-0 on the season, while St. Cloud State falls to 0-1-0.
 
The Beavers continue non-conference action next weekend with a home-and-home series against University of North Dakota beginning
 
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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