MEN’S HOCKEY: Beavers bounced in WCHA semifinals by Lake Superior State; NCAA fate grows murky

MANKATO -- The fate of the Bemidji State men’s hockey team’s season now rests with the NCAA selection committee.

The fourth-seeded Beavers struggled offensively in a 4-1 defeat to second-seeded Lake Superior State in the WCHA semifinals Friday night at Mayo Clinic Health Systems Event Center in Mankato.

Mareks Mitens was almost impenetrable in net, notching 26 saves to help the Lakers advance to Saturday’s WCHA championship game against sixth-seeded Northern Michigan.

Building from a 1-0 lead, Lake State scored twice in a span of 2 minutes, 43 seconds late in the second period to take a commanding 3-0 advantage into the third period. The lead swelled to 4-0 in the third before Ethan Somoza tallied the lone BSU goal late in regulation.

“We just ended up chasing the game,” head coach Tom Serratore said. “We got down one goal and then two goals. They defend so well. … It just wasn’t meant to be tonight. Hats off to Lake Superior State. They were the better team tonight and it showed.”

A win Friday would have kept the Beavers in good standing as far as their NCAA Tournament hopes, but they now find themselves in a precarious position entering Selection Sunday.

Northern’s 5-1 upset win over top-seeded Minnesota State earlier Friday may further complicate matters if the Wildcats win the league’s autobid Saturday and steal a bid from a bubble team like Bemidji State. MSU is virtually assured of an at-large bid.

“We have a rooting interest. There’s certain teams that we obviously are rooting for,” said Serratore, who was unwilling to make his pitch to the selection committee. “I know a lot of coaches have done that so far when their seasons ended. I just think we’ve got a NCAA committee made up of a lot of good hockey people. They’ve got all the information, they have all the data. I just think you’ve got to let those people do their work.”

Dustin Manz whipped a shot towards the low slot that Brandon Puricelli collected and backhanded for the game’s opening goal with 6:32 to play in the first period.

The Beavers (15-9-3) had two power-play opportunities in the second period, but failed to capitalize.

“We didn’t answer back, and again, that’s on us,” Serratore said. “It would have been nice to convert on the power play. We converted on the power play in the third period, but that was a little too late.”

Having killed both penalties, the Lakers (18-6-3) added to their lead with 4:29 left in the second. Jacob Bengtsson held in a puck at the blue line and ripped a shot past a screened Zach Driscoll. The play was reviewed for a potential offside, but was upheld.

A BSU turnover behind the net resulted in a third LSSU goal with 1:46 remaining. Yuki Miura played the puck to Hampus Eriksson in the slot for the one-timer goal.

Lukas Kaelble tacked on a fourth goal at 4:14 of the third period.

Bemidji State hammered away offensively in the back half of the third period, but Mitens wouldn’t budge.

BSU pulled Driscoll for an extra attacker on a late power play. Somoza swept a rebound into the cage for the team’s first goal with four minutes remaining, though by that point the damage was done.

“Every time we play them it’s a battle,” Somoza said. “They’re a really good hockey team, and you know what, they got the better of us today. They got the lead and we just couldn’t get anything going until late.”

Driscoll totaled 17 saves in net for Bemidji State, which finished 1-for-4 on the power play while holding LSSU 0-for-2.

Lake Superior State will keep on dancing into an all-Upper Peninsula WCHA title game at 7:07 p.m. Saturday in Mankato. The Lakers are looking to clinch their first NCAA bid since 1996, while the Wildcats are in search of their first NCAA berth since 2010.

The Beavers will watch Sunday’s selection show with bated breath as they hope to land the program’s first NCAA bid since 2010. The field will be revealed at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 21, on ESPNU.

Lake Superior State 4, Bemidji State 1

BSU 0 0 1 -- 1

LSSU 1 2 1 -- 4

First period -- 1, LSSU, Puricelli (Manz, Jeffers), 13:28.

Second period -- 2, LSSU, Bengtsson (Eriksson, Mucha), 15:31; 3, LSSU, Eriksson (Miura), 18:14.

Third period -- 4, LSSU, Kaelble (Eriksson), 4:14; 5, BSU, Somoza (O. Sillinger, Rosén), 16:00, PP.

Goalies (saves-shots) -- BSU, Driscoll (17-21); LSSU, Mitens (26-27).

1/36: Bemidji State players celebrate a goal against Lake Superior State in the third period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

2/36: Bemidji State forward Owen Sillinger (12) takes the puck past Lake Superior State forward Jack Jeffers (20) in the first period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

3/36: Bemidji State forward Alex Adams (25) makes a pass against Lake Superior State in the second period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

4/36: Lake Superior State forward Brandon Puricelli (12) slips the puck behind Bemidji State goalie Zach Driscoll (33) to score in the first period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

5/36: Bemidji State forward Brendan Harris (21) takes the puck past Lake Superior State defenseman Arvid Henrikson (5) in the second period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

6/36: Bemidji State forward Owen Sillinger (12) checks Lake Superior State forward Ashton Calder (16) off the puck in the first period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

7/36: Lake Superior State forward Alex Ambrosio (9) tries to steal the puck from Bemidji State forward Ross Armour (17) in the first period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

8/36: Bemidji State forward Aaron Miller (16) sends the puck past Lake Superior State forward Pete Veillette (26) in the first period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

9/36: Bemidji State forward Ross Armour (17) gets checked onto the boards by Lake Superior State defenseman Arvid Henrikson (5) in the first period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

10/36: Bemidji State forward Lukas Sillinger (20) makes a pass against Lake Superior State in the first period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

11/36: Bemidji State goalie Zach Driscoll (33) blocks a shot against Lake Superior State in the first period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

12/36: Bemidji State forward Carter Jones (13) tries to steal the puck from Lake Superior State forward Benito Posa (27) in the first period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

13/36: Bemidji State forward Sam Solensky (6) and Lake Superior State forward Alex Ambrosio (9) battle for position in front of the Lake Superior goal in the first period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

14/36: Lake Superior State forward Jack Jeffers (20) and Bemidji State forward Brendan Harris (21) battle for the puck in the first period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

15/36: Bemidji State defenseman Tyler Jubenvill (15) skates with the puck against Lake Superior State in the first period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

16/36: Bemidji State forward Owen Sillinger (12) sends the puck past Lake Superior State forward Ashton Calder (16) in the first period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

17/36: Bemidji State goalie Zach Driscoll (33) deflects a shot by Lake Superior State forward Louis Boudon (29) in the third period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

18/36: Bemidji State forward Owen Sillinger (12) tries to keep the puck from Lake Superior State forward Yuki Miura (14) in the second period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

19/36: Lake Superior State players celebrate a goal on Bemidji State goalie Zach Driscoll (33) in the second period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

20/36: Bemidji State defenseman Elias Rosen (28) and Lake Superior State forward Jack Jeffers (20) battle for the puck in the second period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

21/36: Bemidji State goalie Zach Driscoll (33) deflects a shot by Lake Superior State forward Ashton Calder (16) in the second period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

22/36: Bemidji State forward Tyler Kirkup (27) and Lake Superior State defenseman Jacob Nordqvist (15) battle for the puck in the second period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

23/36: Bemidji State forward Tyler Kirkup (27) takes the puck past Lake Superior State forward Hampus Eriksson (24) in the third period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

24/36: Bemidji State forward Tyler Kirkup (27) takes a shot on Lake Superior State goalie Mareks Mitens (30) in the third period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

25/36: Bemidji State forward Ethan Somoza (9) scores on Lake Superior State goalie Mareks Mitens (30) in the third period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

26/36: Bemidji State forward Aaron Miller (16) takes the puck around the boards toward the Lake Superior State goal in the third period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

27/36: Lake Superior State forward Louis Boudon (29) tries to score on Bemidji State goalie Zach Driscoll (33) in the third period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

28/36: Bemidji State forward Aaron Miller (16) sends the puck past Lake Superior State defenseman William Riedell (3) in the third period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

29/36: Bemidji State players watch the clock run out in the third period against Lake Superior State Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

30/36: Bemidji State forward Tyler Kirkup (27) skates with the puck against Lake Superior State in the third period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

31/36: Bemidji State forward Ethan Somoza (9) tries to get the puck past Lake Superior State goalie Mareks Mitens (30) in the third period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

32/36: Lake Superior State goalie Mareks Mitens (30) blocks a shot by Bemidji State forward Ethan Somoza (9) in the third period on Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA semifinals at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Event Center in Mankato. The WCHA Tournament game was the last Bemidji State played as a league member. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

33/36: Bemidji State forward Brendan Harris (21) makes a pass against Lake Superior State in the third period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

34/36: Bemidji State forward Aaron Miller (16) skates with the puck against Lake Superior State in the third period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

35/36: Bemidji State forward Brendan Harris (21) sends the puck past Lake Superior State forward Alex Ambrosio (9) in the third period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)

36/36: Lake Superior State goalie Mareks Mitens (30) deflects a shot on goal by Bemidji State forward Ethan Somoza (9) in the second period Friday, March 19, 2021, during the WCHA Tournament at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems Events Center in Mankato. (Jason Wachter / The Rink Live)