Bemidji State opened a 4-0 lead and never trailed in claiming a 7-3 nonconference home decision over Minnesota State Saturday in front of 1,664 fans.
The Beavers were led by Luke Erickson and Ryan Miller, who each had two goals for Bemidji State.
BSU (4-0-0) struck first when Jake Bluhm’s wraparound goal at 3:38 of the opening stanza gave the Beavers a 1-0 lead. A Travis Winter shot past MSU freshman Dan Tormey high on the glove side made it 2-0 at 14:14. Rob Sirianni made it a three-goal BSU edge at 16:01 with a wrist shot from the right side that found the back of the net.
The second period opened with BSU’s Erickson finishing a play at 1:01 for a commanding 4-0 lead. MSU (0-2-0) responded at 1:32 when senior forward Jeff Marler beat Layne Sedevie low on the stick side for his first goal of the year. The Mavericks got within two when junior forward Rob Rankin tipped a David Backes shot on the power play past Sedevie at 2:48. Luke Erickson got his second goal at 7:34 to give the Beavers a 5-2 lead.
Miller one-timed Rob Sirianni’s pass out of the corner as BSU’s lead climbed to four again at 15:16 of the third frame. Sophomore forward Kurtis Kisio got his second goal of the season when he beat Sedevie from in front of the net at 16:31 as MSU closed to 6-3. Miller wrapped out the scoring with his second goal of the night coming with seven seconds left of the game.
BSU owned a 35-34 edge in shots on goal in the contest.
The Mavericks begin Western Collegiate Hockey Association action next Friday and Saturday with a two-game series at No. 1 ranked Minnesota. The Beavers take to the road next weekend to face Air Force.
