Markus Gerbrandt broke a 1-1 stalemate with a goal off a one-timer midway through the third period to propel Bemidji State University past the University of Minnesota Duluth 2-1 Tuesday night at AMSOIL Arena. The victory capped a sweep in the home-and-home series (one that was delayed four months) for the Beavers, who ran their unbeaten streak to six games (5-0-1) against their former Western Collegiate Hockey Association rivals.
The game was originally scheduled for Oct. 9, but postponed because of a power outage at AMSOIL Arena that night. The Beavers prevailed the following evening, 3-2, in the 2015-16 season opener for both clubs.
Bemidji State (12-11-5 overall) made their first shot of the night count as Brett Beauvais took a nifty centering feed from Gerry Fitzgerald down low and potted his first goal of the season 1:47 in. UMD (11-12-5) answered at the 10:23 mark of the first when rookie left winger
Adam Johnson's power play shot near the top of the left circle beat Beaver netminder Michael Bitzer. The Bulldogs, who were missing four skaters with injuries -- senior left winger
Austin Farley, junior left winger
Kyle Osterberg, junior defenseman
Dan Molenaar and right winger
Parker Mackay -- while another, junior
Brenden Kotyk was out serving a one-game suspension from an illegal hit in Saturday's win over Colorado College, outshot the Beavers 13-4 in the opening 20 minutes of play.
" This loss is probably going to hurt us big time, as far as rankings," said Johnson, who is tied for the Bulldog rookie scoring lead with 12 points. "It was a big game for us and I just don't think we came ready to play. We might have taken them lightly and that came back to bite us."
UMD sophomore
Kasimir Kaskisuo and Bitzer both finished with 25 saves.
The Bulldogs are off until Feb. 20-21 when they resume National Collegiate Hockey Conference activity at the University of North Dakota.
NOTES: UMD went an even 4-4-2 against non-conference competition in 2016-17 ... Junior defenseman
Carson Soucy skated in his 100th collegiate game tonight ... The Bulldogs outshot their opponent (27-26) for the 18th game in row and 25th time in 28 outings this winter ... Senior center
Tony Cameranesi had his six-game scoring streak snapped ... UMD was 1-for-4 on the power play while Bemidji State was blanked on all three of its man advantage opportunities.
