Trailing 3-1 after two periods, the Bemidji State men's hockey team came charging back in the third but fell just short, losing 3-2 at the University of Nebraska-Omaha Saturday.
The Mavericks (18-14-6) never trailed leading 1-0 after the first. The Beavers (22-8-2) scored the lone goal of the final period and applied pressure down the stretch, but could get the equalizer.
"We obviously didn't play well for two periods," said Bemidji State head coach Tom Serratore. "We had no legs, everyone could see that. We played with a sense of urgency in the third and were able to make a game of it."
The Mavericks held a major territorial advantage in the first period, outshooting the Beavers 13-3 and taking a 1-0 lead.
The Beavers penalty kill, after holding UNO off the board Friday in five tries, allowed a goal at 4:22. Rick Purslow found Eddie DelGrosso in the high slot with a pass. DelGrosso controlled the puck, skated in and ripped a wrist shot past a screened Dan Bakala.
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That was it for scoring in the first as the BSU defense stiffened after the goal. The Beavers had a tough time, however, getting into any kind of offensive flow.
UNO increased the lead to 3-1 in the second, scoring yet another power play goal.
The Beavers found their legs a bit in the second and got the offense going. Junior forward Ian Lowe tied the game at 1-1 at 7:10. Lowe sped up the far side and unleashed a wicked wrist shot from the top of the circle that beat UNO goalie John Faulkner glove side.
The Beavers had a great opportunity to even the score earlier, starting the period with a full two-minute power play, a carryover from the end of the first. Jamie MacQueen picked up a loose puck just inside the blue line at the near boards and rifled a wrist shot that beat Faulkner but clanged off the post.
After the Beavers tied, UNO responded less than a minute later to go ahead 2-1. Terry Broadhurst scored off a rebound on the backhand at 8:09.
The Mavericks added another at 10:56, the very end of a power play. Purslow grabbed a loose puck at the side of the net, stepped in front and scored top shelf.
The Beavers picked up the pace considerably in the third. With the teams playing 4 on 4, Matt Read made it a one-goal game as he cashed in on a 2-on-0 BSU break. Chris Peluso slid the puck across and Read deftly tipped it in at 4:23.
That was it for the night as BSU just could tie it up. The Beavers nearly connected off a nice flurry at 10:30, but a pass across the crease behind Faulkner jumped the stick of Jordan George.
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UNO ended with a 27-18 shot advantage for the game. Bakala took the loss for the Beavers in net, ending with 24 saves. Faulkner got the win for UNO with 16 saves.
"I'm glad we responded in the third," Serratore said. "Hopefully it will carry over to next weekend."
The Beavers conclude the regular season next weekend, traveling south to take on Alabama-Huntsville. The games will be the last played during the regular season in College Hockey America. The Beavers have already clinched the CHA regular season title
