BEMIDJI, Minn. – Rhett Pitlick and Brett Moravec each scored as Minnesota State defeated Bemidji State 2-1 Saturday night at Sanford Center to split a CCHA weekend series.
 
The Mavericks led 30-21 in shots on goal and Alex Tracy made 20 saves in the victory for the visitors. MSU began with an energized first period but BSU goaltender Mattias Sholl was excellent and reached back for an acrobatic save on the back door against Moravec to keep the game scoreless deep in the second.
 
After MSU men's hockey failed to score in 10 consecutive periods in Bemidji, Rhett Pitlick broke the seal for the Mavericks on a 4-on-3 power play. Pitlick rifled a one-timer over Sholl's shoulder after receiving a cross-ice pass from Josh Groll 16:45 into the second period. It was Pitlick's fourth tally of the season. Evan Murr added the second assist.
 
Just over a minute later, Moravec made it 2-0. After gaining the offensive zone, Pitlick dropped the puck off for Moravec, who skated around a defender and lifted the puck over Sholl in the low slot. Groll also assisted.
 
Isa Parekh cut the deficit in half after his point shot found its way through Reilly Funk's screen in front of Tracy just 23 seconds into the final stanza. Kirklan Irey and Eric Martin added helpers for the Beavers.
 
With the goal empty, Bemidji State mounted several chances on Tracy in the final minute of regulation, but the Mavericks held on.
 
"It was a great response from our team tonight," said head coach Luke Strand. "They played a very selfless game. Thank you also to the MSU soccer team for attending our game and supporting us."
 
MSU soccer remained in Bemidji after wrapping up the 2024 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular season title on Friday.
 
The Mavericks finished 1-2 on the power play and the Beavers went 1-3. MSU successfully killed a major penalty at the end of the first period.
 
In the highly anticipated weekend bout between two of the league's top goaltenders, Tracy made 63 stops for a .969 save percentage while Sholl closed with 52 saves and a .963 save percentage, including a shutout on Friday.
 
Kaden Bohlsen, Adam Eisele and Campbell Cichosz were all absent from the lineup on Saturday. 
 
Minnesota State (6-4-0, 1-1-0 CCHA) continues conference play against St. Thomas beginning Friday at 7:07 p.m. in Mendota Heights. The teams will be in Mankato on Saturday, November 9 at 6:07 p.m.