THIEF RIVER FALLS-The McNamara family feels right at home at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
Casey McNamara scored the lone goal of Tuesday night's 1-0 win over Thief River Falls, becoming the first BHS goalscorer at the Little Ralph since his brother, Tyler, scored in overtime of the 2016 Section 8AA championship game to send the Lumberjacks to the state tournament.
The junior defenseman's shot from the far point popped up into the air after the initial save but found its way over the goal line at 11:53 of the second period for McNamara's first career goal.
The goal also broke a scoring drought that stretched back more than seven periods.
Prior to McNamara's goal, the Lumberjacks (3-3) had not scored since Joe Leitner's tally in the third period of a 3-0 win over Blake on Dec. 2. Bemidji had been held scoreless in its previous two games by a pair of top-five teams in No. 5 Moorhead and No. 2 Duluth East.
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Matt Fitzgerald posted his third shutout of the season Tuesday, making 22 saves in the win.
Nick Corneliusen recorded 26 saves in net for the Prowlers (1-4-1).
Bemidji will return to Section 8AA play this Saturday, Dec. 16, with a 3 p.m. game at Rogers.
Bemidji 1, Thief River Falls 0
BHS 0 1 0-1
TRF 0 0 0-0
First period-No Scoring.
Second period-1, BHS, McNamara (unassisted), 11:53.
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Third period-No Scoring.
Goaltending (Shots-Saves)-BHS, Fitzgerald (22-22); TRF, Corneliusen (27-26), 1 GA.
