Bemidji, Minn.  --- Minnesota State used a pair of third-period goals in edging Bemidji State3-2 in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association men's hockey contest played in Bemidji Friday.

The win is the first of 2015-16 for the Mavericks. 

The host Beavers jumped out to 1-0 lead at 3:51 of the first when Charlie O'Connor fired a shot from the right circle that beat Maverick freshman netminder Jason Pawloski on the gloveside.  Minnesota State knotted it up at the 18:35 mark on a shorthanded tally from senior forward Bryce Gervais.  Gervais took a pass from senior defenseman Carter Foguth in the neutral zone, split the BSU defense and ripped a shot past Michael BItzer high on the stickside for his first goal of the season. The goal is the seventh shorthanded marker of his career, which stands tied for seventh on Minnesota State's all-time list. 

Gervais' marker also ended a MSU scoreless drought that extended back to the third period of the first game of the season and lasted a total of 213 minutes and 58 seconds.

It became a 2-1 BSU lead at 18:57 of the second after Gerry Fitzgerald's shot from the top of the circle beat a screened Pawloski with the Beavers in the midst of a five-on-three power play opportunity.

The Mavericks scored twice in the final frame to close out their first win of the season.  Sophomore forward Brad McClure slid the puck under Bitzer's pad at 5:19 to tie the game to knot things up and goal, which came shortly following a Maverick power play, is McClure's first of 2015-16.

Then at 9:03, senior forward Teddy Blueger capitalized on a shorthanded breakaway opportunity by going backhand-forehand before beating Bitzer on the stickside in giving the Mavericks their first lead in the game.  The goal is Blueger's first goal of the season, his second career shorthanded goal and his seventh career game-winning goal.

The Mavericks went zero-for- six in power play chances on the night, while BSU capitalized on one-of-six chances with the man advantage in the game. Jason Pawloski, who made his collegiate debut in the game, recorded 18 saves for Minnesota State.

Minnesota State, which stands 1-4-0 for the season, closes out the two-game Western Collegiate Hockey Association series Saturday night at Sanford Center with a 7:07 p.m. face-off scheduled.

Head coach Mike Hastings commented following the win.

 

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