BEMIDJI, Minn. — Minnesota State (4-5-2, 2-1-2 CCHA) topped Bemidji State (2-7-1, 1-3-1 CCHA) 4-1 Friday after scoring three times in the first period. Minnesota State was outshot 28-19 but made 27 saves and went 1-for-2 on the power play.
Minnesota State has recorded at least one power-play goal in four consecutive games, has not allowed a power-play goal in its last six games and has killed off its opponents' last 26 power-play chances.
Minnesota State scored 34 seconds into the first period when
Mason Kraft scored an even-strength goal off a
Jack Christ assist for a 1-0 lead. That was MSU's quickest goal to open a game since Oct. 10, 2025 when
Sawyer Scholl scored 20 seconds into the game against Omaha.
Bemidji State generated several looks over the next stretch, but
Lassi Lehti handled the shots on goal before
Fin Williams scored at 11:07, with assists from
Easton Hewson and
Mason LeBel, to make it 2-0.
Luigi Benincasa added another even-strength goal on a 3-on-1 break at 8:04 off assists from Kraft and
Ean Somoza. BSU changed goaltenders after the score, while Lehti continued to turn away Bemidji State chances late in the period, as Minnesota State led 3-0 at the first intermission.
Minnesota State generated the first sustained stretch of the second period, putting several attempts on Raythan Robbins. Bemidji State answered with its own pressure through the middle of the period, and after Somoza was called for a five-minute cross-checking penalty at 8:47, Lehti made saves on Jiri Klima and Brayden Dube during the power play. Minnesota State killed off the penalty with Somoza returning at 3:47, and Lehti handled BSU's late shots, including a final save at :00, as the second period ended with the Mavericks still holding a 3-0 lead.
Minnesota State had an early power play after a Bemidji State charging penalty, but its only recorded attempt during the advantage was an
Alex Zetterberg shot blocked by Joe Gramer. The next opportunity converted at 11:06, when Hewson scored on the power play off assists from
Jacob Conrad and Christ to give Minnesota State a 4-0 lead.
The Beavers answered at 8:39 on Rylan Gould's even-strength goal, assisted by Hudson Thornton and Ethan Miedema, cutting the score to 4-1. Lehti helped Minnesota State protect that margin through a later Bemidji State power play and two late Carter Rapalje shots, as the Mavericks closed out the 4-1 win.
Williams scored the game-winning goal and won eight faceoffs at 61%. Kraft finished with a goal and an assist on three shots. Hewson scored on the power play and added an assist. Lehti made 27 saves and allowed one goal.
Up next, Minnesota State finishes its weekend series with Bemidji State on Saturday, with puck drop set for 6:07 p.m. (CST) at Sanford Center.
