Roseau scored twice early in the final period Monday night to snap a 2-2 tie and hand Bemidji a 4-3 setback in high school boys hockey at the John Glas Fieldhouse.
The contest between two of the northern area's better teams drew the best crowd of the season, including a large number of Roseau fans.
It saw the two powers battle on even terms through the first two periods knotted at that time 2-2.
The Jacks came back with their final goal with 10 minutes remaining to narrow the count to a single goal but were never able to get the equalizer.
The game was played in a tournament atmosphere with both teams going all out from the first whistle to the last.
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The hitting was hard and clean all over the ice with quality shots hard to come by.
The Rams held a 28-24 lead in shots on goal, the difference coming in the final period.
Bemidji was missing three regulars which hurt its chances. Gone were Isaac Bitter (shoulder), Max Hazelton (mono) and Miah Graves (knee).
Axel Osborn stepped in for Graves and turned in a fine job, making several outstanding saves during the contest
Bemidji was hurt by its inability to cash in on five power plays during the game. Roseau converted one of its four which spelled the difference.
Each team had the lead at one point.
Roseau jumped ahead at the start when Adam Knochenmus converted a Shane Omdahl feed at the end of a 2 on 1 rush at 10:30 of the opening stanza.
Bemidji answered five minutes later on a similar play with Rylee Curb keeping the puck on a feed from Mike Rees to skate down the left boards and cut into the crease to beat goalie Ethan Kvidt.
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Roseau held a slim 8-7 shots advantage during the period.
Jordan Heller gave Bemidji a 2-1 lead at 11:32 of the second period, taking a perfect feed from the right side from John Forseth to score at the left corner. Tyler Tatro also drew an assist on the tally.
But Roseau fought back this time to knot the score, Trevor Baumgartner converting an Omdahl feed at 15:18 late in a power play.
Bemidji held a 10-8 shots edge in this stanza.
The game turned early in the final period when Jesse Braun connected at 2:48 and Taylor Hedlund followed at 5:38 -- Hedlund's a blast from the right point.
Brady Devescovi got one back less than a minute later off feeds from Kevin Larson and Jesse Nemgar, banging home a rebound of Larson's blast from the left point.
But try as they might, the Jacks were not to score again though keeping steady pressure on Kvidt down the stretch.
Osborn ended with 24 stops. Kvidt had 21.
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The win lifted the Rams to 16-4-1 and dropped Bemidji to 12-9. Things get no easier this week as Bemidji travels to Brainerd tonight and Warroad Friday to take on two more section powers, Warroad a Class A team.
Bemidji returns home to take on Detroit Lakes Tuesday at The Glas and Thief River Falls Thursday at Nymore.
The B Team continued its magical season, scoring twice in the final period to shade Roseau 3-2.
It lifted the team to 20-1 with four games to play. Kaleb Hanson and Matt Serratore had the final period tallies after Chris Isensee had scored in the first.
Ben Schram made 21 stops for Bemidji. Logan Hulst had 20 for the Rams.
Roseau 1 1 2---4
Bemidji 1 1 1---3
FIRST PERIOD: Ros-Knochenmus (Omdahl) 10:30; Bem-Curb (Rees) 15:15; Penalties: Bem-Dahedl, roughing and Ros-Broten, roughing and holding (4 minutes) 4;13; Bem-Rees, high stick 12:29;
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SECOND PERIOD: J. Heller ( Forseth-Tatro) 11:32: Ros-Baumgartner (Omdahl) pp 15:18; Penalties: Bem-Osborn. interference (served by J. Heller) 0:09; Ros-Knochenmus, hold 10:03; Bem-Forseth, hold 14:41; Ros-Omdahl, elbow 16:45
THIRD PERIOD: Ros-Braun (Knochenmus-Omdahl) 2:48; Ros-Hedlund (M. Johnson-K. Erickson) 5:38; Bem- Devescovi (Larson-Nemgar) 6:39; Penalties: Ros-K. Erickson, trip 7:52;. Bem-Hietala, trip 7;58; Ros-Knochenmus, roughing 11:11
Goal Stops
Ros-Kvidt 6 9 6---21
Bem -Osborn 7 7 10---25
Power plays:: Bemidji 0-5, Roseau 1-4
Officials: Dave Ulwelling, Ron Storey and Ron Laturi
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Roseau B 1 1 0---2
Bemidji B 1 0 2---3
FIRST PERIOD Ros-Olson 13:33; Bem-Isensee (Borowski) 14:55
SECOND PERIOD: Ros-T. Johnson (Olson) 16:05 pp
THIRD PERIOD: Bem-Hanson (Spencer) 12:23; Bem-Serratore (Isensee-Follis) 15:30
Power plays, Bemidji 0-3, Roseau 1-3
Goal Stops
Ros-Hulst 4 3 13---20
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Bem-Schram 6 10 5---21
