North Dakota Beats Bemidji State 2-1
BEMIDJI, Minn. (AP) — It doesn't make up for a four-goal season-opening loss, but Saturday's 2-1 win over Bemidji State was just what North Dakota needed.
Goalie Zane McIntyre made 28 saves and second-ranked North Dakota killed off six of seven power plays to earn a split of the home-and-home series.
"It was a good win," UND coach Dave Hakstol said. "We just put everything from last night behind us. We just wanted to come out, play hard and play with confidence and win a road game."
Colten St. Clair's goal at 14:17 of the first period gave North Dakota its first lead of the new season. UND (1-1-0) trailed 5-0 on Friday before scoring a goal late in the season-opener at Grand Forks.
St. Claire took the initial shot and skated around the net where he waited to see what would happen in the scrum in front. The puck scooted out and St. Claire stuck in the rebound. Brenan O'Donnell and Connor Gaarder assisted on the goals.
Despite a series of Bemidji State power plays, the score stayed that way until late in the second period when Stephane Pattyn scored a short-handed goal at 16:19. Troy Stecher rushed the puck up the ice and hit Pattyn with a cross-ice feed. With Bemidji State goalie Andrew Walsh playing Stecher and the puck, Pattyn found the wide-open net for a 2-0 lead. Gage Ausmus also earned an assist on the goal.
McIntyre took a 2-0 lead into the third period before Myles Fitzgerald scored on the power play at 4:18 of the period. Gerry Fitzgerald and Brett Bauvais were given assists on the play.
"We didn't give them any second opportunities," Hakstol said. "Zane did an excellent job. His teammates did a good job as well."
Walsh finished the night with 30 saves in his season debut for the Beavers (1-1-0).
UND outshot the Beavers after being outshot the night before.
"We were a little embarrassed by what we did in front of our home fans. The best thing we could do was get a series split and move forward," Hakstol said.
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