BEMIDJI, Minn. –The Bemidji State University Men's Hockey team and No. 16 University of St. Thomas battled to a 2-2 draw in a tightly fought contest Saturday night to end the regular season at Sanford Center. St. Thomas earned the extra Central Collegiate Hockey Association point with a 1-0 shootout victory.
 
The Beavers earned the sixth seed in the CCHA Mason Cup Playoffs and will travel to third seed Augustana University next weekend for a best-of-three series at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D. The series will begin with game one Friday, Mar. 6.
 
Maxon Vig scored once and added three blocked shots, bolstering the defense. Vann Yuhas capitalized on a power-play opportunity with his goal. Oliver Peer notched an assist and was a force in the faceoff circle, winning 17 of 20 draws. Max Hildebrand recorded 27 saves, skillfully handling the pressure in goal.
 
The game kicked off with Bemidji State's Reilly Funk winning the opening faceoff. Both teams exchanged early shots, with UST getting several attempts that were stopped by Bemidji State's goaltender, Hildebrand. The Tommies took advantage of a power play at 17:14 when Nathan Pilling scored, assisted by Alex Gaffney and Lucas Wahlin, putting the visitors ahead 1-0. Bemidji State had several opportunities, including a shot by Isa Parekh that struck the pipe, but they couldn't score before the period ended.
 
The Beavers took charge in the second period with a spirited offensive effort. Vig broke the deadlock at 13:27 with an even-strength goal, assisted by Kasper Magnussen and Hildebrand, giving Bemidji State a 2-1 edge. Later, Yuhas converted on a power play, scoring at 19:03 with assists from Peer and Connor McClennon, extending the lead to 2-1. The period wrapped with Bemidji State leading 2-1, having effectively executed their power-play chances.
 
In the third period, the Tommies tied it up at 2-2 with a goal from Caige Sterzer at 2:35, assisted by Attila Lippai and Chase Cheslock. Bemidji State called a timeout right after the equalizer to regroup. Despite several attempts from both sides, including shots from Bemidji's Vincent Labelle and Funk that were saved by Carsen Musser, neither team could break the tie. The period ended with the score knotted, setting up a tense finish.
 
Overtime began with Bemidji State winning the initial faceoff, but UST applied early pressure with several shots on goal. Hildebrand made critical saves on attempts by Wahlin and Jake Braccini to maintain the tie. A penalty on Bemidji State at 2:50 gave UST a power play, but Bemidji State's defense, highlighted by blocked shots from Vig, held strong. Both teams had chances in the closing seconds, with Bemidji State's Mitch Wolfe firing a shot wide as the period concluded with no change in score.
 
The shootout saw the Tommies narrowly edge out Bemidji State. Wahlin scored the only successful attempt for UST, while Bemidji State's shooters, including Peer, McClennon, and Labelle, were all stopped by Musser. Although Hildebrand made two saves, Wahlin's goal sealed the outcome for the Tommies with the game concluding at 2-2 after regulation and overtime.
 
Bemidji State ends the regular season with a record of 13-17-4 overall and 11-11-4 in conference play, while UST stands at 18-11-5 overall and 15-7-4 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).
 
--bsu—