BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Men's Hockey team erased a three-goal third-period deficit and earned a 4-4 tie against (RV) Minnesota State University, Mankato Saturday night at Sanford Center. The Mavericks secured the additional Central Collegiate Hockey Association standings point by winning the shootout, 1-0.
Jirí Klíma scored twice during the Beavers' third-period comeback, including the game-tying goal with 1:03 remaining in regulation.
Carter Rapalje added a goal and an assist, while
Hudson Thornton recorded two assists as Bemidji State rallied from a 4-1 deficit over the final 6:11.
The Beavers moved to 2-7-2 overall and 1-3-2 in CCHA play, while the Mavericks moved to 4-5-3 overall and 2-1-3 in conference action. Bemidji State earned one league point from the tie, while Minnesota State collected two after winning the shootout.
Neither team found the back of the net during the opening period. Bemidji State outshot Minnesota State 7-4 and received the game's first power-play opportunity just 1:02 after the opening faceoff, but Mavericks goaltender Lassi Lehti stopped all seven shots he faced.
Minnesota State opened the scoring 6:16 into the second period when Liam Watkins scored his fourth goal of the season. Easton Hewson and Jacob Conrad assisted on the play. Ean Somoza doubled the lead just 1:22 later with an assist from Mason Kraft.
Bemidji State answered at 8:25 when
Brady Birnie scored his first collegiate goal.
Isaac Johnson and
Jaksen Panzer earned assists as the Beavers pulled within one at 2-1.
The Mavericks restored their two-goal advantage at 10:04 when Somoza scored his second goal of the period on Minnesota State's only power-play opportunity. Watkins and Luigi Benincasa assisted on the goal, sending the Mavericks into the second intermission ahead 3-1 despite Bemidji State holding a 24-8 advantage in shots through 40 minutes.
Hewson extended Minnesota State's lead to 4-1 at 7:56 of the third period, but the Beavers refused to go away. Klíma started the comeback with an unassisted goal at 13:49, scoring his sixth of the season to cut the deficit to two.
Bemidji State pulled goaltender
Raythan Robbins for an extra attacker with 3:15 remaining and converted 25 seconds later. Rapalje scored his third goal of the season at 17:11 off assists from Thornton and
Aiden Ziprick, pulling the Beavers within one.
The Beavers again brought on the extra attacker following a timeout, and Klíma struck for the equalizer at 18:57. The freshman scored his team-leading seventh goal of the season from Rapalje and Thornton, completing Bemidji State's three-goal rally and sending the game to overtime tied 4-4.
Robbins stopped all four Minnesota State shots during the five-minute three-on-three overtime, including a chance from Kraft with two seconds remaining. Lehti denied Thornton on the Beavers' lone shot of the extra period to send the game to a shootout.
After both teams were stopped during the first two rounds, Reid Morich scored on Minnesota State's third attempt. Lehti then denied
Max Namestnikov to secure the additional conference point for the Mavericks.
Bemidji State finished with a 37-16 advantage in shots on goal, including a 29-8 margin over the second and third periods. Klíma led the Beavers with six shots, while Birnie, Johnson and
Oliver Peer each recorded four. Peer also won 17 of his 27 faceoffs.
Robbins stopped 12 of the 16 shots he faced, including all four in overtime. Lehti made 33 saves for Minnesota State. Bemidji State went scoreless on three power-play opportunities, while the Mavericks finished 1-for-1 with the man advantage.
The tie concluded the Beavers' CCHA home series against the Mavericks. Bemidji State earned one point on the weekend and moved to four conference points through six league games.
The Beavers now prepare for a CCHA road series at Lake Superior State University next weekend, Nov. 20-21.
For the most up to date information on the Bemidji State men's hockey program, tickets or schedules, visit
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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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