Mankato, Minn.  --- #11th rated Minnesota State dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to 15th-rated Bemidji State in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association contest played in Mankato Saturday evening. 

Beaver winger Mike Soucier jumped on a rebound that Jordan Heller had put on net and made no mistake in putting Bemidji State on the board first at 2:22 of the opening period.  Four minutes later freshman forward Marc Michaelis capitalized on a rebound chance with the Mavericks on the power play at 6:13 to knot the score at 1-1.  The goal is the freshman's fifth of the year land the two teams stood tied 1-1 after 20 minutes of action.

The two teams played through a pair of scoreless periods before heading to overtime where BSU forward Nate Arentz took a pass along the boards in the neutral zone and steamed into the Maverick end where Cole Huggins made a save. But the puck found its way into the net after a MSU defenseman slid into the crease, colliding with Huggins and pushing the puck past the goal line at 1:37 of the extra session.

Minnesota State, which was one-for-three on the power play, put 33 shots on goal in the contest. The Beavers were zero-for-five with the man advantage.

Maverick netminder Cole Huggins, who made 24 stops, now stands 6-3-0 on the year.

The Mavericks, 7-4-1 on the season, stand 5-4-1-0 WCHA with tonight's tie. Bemidji State stands 9-2-1 overall, 9-0-1-1 WCHA.

Minnesota State takes a break from WCHA next weekend with a home-and-home nonconference series with the University of Minnesota on the docket. The Mavericks and the Gophers square-off in Mankato Friday and in Minneapolis Saturday.

Head coach Mike Hastings commented following the game.