Mankato, Minn. --- Fourth-rated Minnesota State and Bemidji State battled to a 2-2 overtime tie in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association regular-season finale for both teams.
The Beavers earned an extra point as a result of a 1-0 shootout win after two periods of scoreless overtime.
For the second consecutive night Bemidji State scored the game's first goal. Beaver defenseman Zach Whitecloud's blast from the point found a lane through several sticks and legs to beat Connor LaCouvee high on the stickside at 2:15 of the opening period.
The Mavericks outshot the Beavers by an 11-3 margin in the second period, but could not solve Beaver netminder Michael Bitzer.
BSU took a 2-0 lead at 5:16 of the third on an Adam Brady power play marker. Minnesota State got on the board with a power play goal of its own at 8:36 after C.J. Suess converted on a chance at the top of the crease following a nifty feed from Zeb Knutson. The goal is the 21st of the season by Suess. Sophomore forward Marc Michaelis turned a shorthanded chance into the game-tying goal at 14:49 when he went backhand-forehand before depositing the puck past Bitzer on the stickside. His 16th of the year made it 2-2 game and send the game into overtime.
Following a scoreless five-on-five overtime and five minutes of scoreless three-on-three overtime, Bemidji State's Leo Fitzgerald was the only player of amongst ten who were able to score in the shootout session.
The Mavericks are now 26-7-1 overall and undefeated in their last 11 games.
Connor LaCouvee, who made his 11th consecutive start in goal, stopped 17 shots in the tie and now stands 20-3-1 with tonight's decision.
The Mavericks fashioned 40 shots on goal in the contest and the game was played in front of 4,619 fans.
The Mavericks will host a first-round WCHA best-of-three play-off series beginning next Friday in their next action.
Minnesota State head coach Mike Hastings commented following the game.
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