Mankato, Minn. --- #11th rated Minnesota State and 15th-rated Bemidji State skated to 1-1 overtime tie in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association contest played in Mankato Friday evening.
The Beavers got a goal from
Charlie O'Connor in the second overtime session (3-on-3) in earn the extra point.
Freshman forward
Charlie Gerard pushed the puck into the Beaver net at 2:31 of the first period to give the Mavericks a 1-0 lead. The goal, which included assists by
Zach Stepan and
Josh French, is the first of Gerard's career and French's assist if the first point of his college career.
The two teams battled through a scoreless second period before Beaver defenseman
Dan Billett wristed a shot from the right circle past Minnesota State netminder
Jason Pawloski at 8:25 of the third period to knot things at 1-1. The score remained that way until the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime.
The two teams failed to score in the five minute overtime session. O'Connor's goal in the second overtime came from the left circle and was on a shot that beat Pawloski just inside the far post.
Minnesota State, which was zero-for-one on the power play, put 24 shots on goal in the contest. The Beavers were zero-for-two with the man advantage.
Pawloski, who made 23 stops, now stands 1-1-1 on the year.
The Mavericks, 7-3-1 overall on the season, stand 5-3-1-0 WCHA with tonight's tie. Bemidji State stands 8-2-1 overall, 8-0-1-1 WCHA.
Minnesota State and Bemidji State close out the two-game league series Saturday night with a 7:07 p.m. face-off scheduled for Verizon Center in downtown Mankato.
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