BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Freshman forward
Jirí Klíma scored twice during a 51-second span in the third period, but the Bemidji State University Men's Hockey team could not overcome an early deficit in a 5-2 Central Collegiate Hockey Association loss at (RV) Bowling Green State University Friday night in Bowling Green, Ohio.
The Falcons scored just 15 seconds after the opening faceoff when Brody Waters finished a setup from Brayden Crampton and Maxwell Martin. Ty Higgins doubled the lead at 3:27 with a short-handed goal during the Beavers' first power play.
Despite the early deficit, the Beavers generated 12 shots on goal during the opening period and received four power-play opportunities. Jacob Steinman stopped all 12 shots to send Bowling Green into the first intermission leading 2-0.
Bemidji State continued to pressure the Falcons during the second period, including three consecutive shots on goal by Klíma late in the frame. Steinman turned aside all nine shots he faced during the period, and Brandon Whynott extended the Falcons' lead to 3-0 with 1:32 remaining.
Waters scored his second goal of the game 3:31 into the third period, converting on the power play to push Bowling Green's advantage to four.
The Beavers began their comeback bid midway through the period. Klíma scored on the power play at 11:57 off assists from
Max Namestnikov and
Carter Rapalje, cutting the deficit to 4-1.
Just 51 seconds later, Klíma struck again.
Maxon Vig and
Oliver Peer assisted on his second goal of the night, pulling the Beavers within two with 7:12 remaining.
The two-goal performance was Klíma's first as a Beaver and raised his season total to four. He led all players with seven shots on goal and was named the game's second star.
Bemidji State called timeout with 4:17 remaining and pulled senior goaltender
Max Hildebrand for an extra attacker shortly afterward. The Beavers generated several late opportunities, but Connor Levis scored an unassisted empty-net goal with 1:35 remaining to produce the 5-2 final.
Hildebrand stopped 20 of the 24 shots he faced over 57:40 in net. Steinman made 27 saves for the Falcons, who were outshot 29-25 by the Beavers.
Hudson Thornton followed Klíma with five shots on goal, while Peer recorded four and won 14 of his 24 faceoffs. Vig and
Joe Gramer led the Beavers with two blocked shots apiece.
Bemidji State finished 1-for-6 on the power play, while Bowling Green converted one of its seven opportunities. The Beavers won 34 faceoffs and blocked nine shots.
The loss moved the Beavers to 2-5-1 overall and 1-1-1 in CCHA play, while the Falcons improved to 5-4-0 overall and 3-0-0 in league action. The two teams will play the series finale tomorrow with puck drop scheduled for 5:07 p.m. CDT.
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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