11/19/2011 - MEN'S ICE HOCKEY Strong third period propels North Dakota past BSU 5-2

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BEMIDJI, Minn. (Sanford Center) -- The University of North Dakota’s Mario Lamoureaux scored an even-strength goal at the 15:22 mark of the third period to break a 2-2 tie and propel the Fighting Sioux to a 5-2 victory over Bemidji State University Saturday in Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) men’s hockey action at Sanford Center.

The win continued UND’s long-standing reign in the series. The Fighting Sioux have now won the last 14 head-to-head match ups between the teams and own a 22-1-1 record in the all-time series.

The Beavers were the first to strike, getting a goal from Brance Orban (Jr., F, Lethbridge, Alberta) at the 1:22 mark of the first period.  Freshman Mitch Cain (Fort Frances, Ontario) won an offensive zone face off to the junior and Orban ripped a shot past the UND goaltender Aaron Dell for his third goal of the season.

Four minutes and 38 seconds later (6:49), the Fighting Sioux tied the score on a rebound goal by Corban Knight.  The goal came just six seconds into UND’s first power-play opportunity of the evening.  The team would finish the game 2-for-4 on the man advantage capitalizing on  another power-play opportunity late in the third to put the game out of reach.

Ties 1-1 to open the second period, North Dakota broke the deadlock at the 4:30 mark of the period on a Brenden O’Donnell lamplighter.

The goal would stand as the only maker of the second period giving the visiting Sioux a one-goal edge as the third period got underway.

Forward Shea Walters (Hibbing, Minn.) scored his career-high sixth goal of the season just 72 seconds into the third period to even the score at 2-2. Brady Wacker (Jr., D, Jansen, Saskatchewan) found Walters open on the right post the senor converted. Jamie MacQueen (Sr., F, St. Thomas, Ontario) was also credited with an assist on the play.

When MacQueen was sent to the box for hooking at the 4:49 mark of the third, all momentum seemed to swing in North Dakota’s favor.  Although the team was held scoreless during the two-minute the power-play chance, UND attempted 12 shots, getting five on target.  The Sioux controlled play for the remainder of the period and got the back breaking goal with just 4:38 left in regulation. 

Brock Nelson would add a power-play goal  at the 18:30 mark and an empty-net tally with 29 seconds on the clock to put the game out of reach.

The Fighting Sioux finished the game with a 36-25 edge in shots on goal despite trailing BSU 11-7 after the first period. 

BSU was 0-for-2 on the man advantage marking the seventh consecutive game they have be held scoreless on the man advantage.

Dan Bakala (Sr., G, Calgary, Alberta) played 59:41 between the pipes for the Beavers and posted 31 saves.  Allowing four UND goals, he fell to 2-5-1 on the season.

Bemidji State (4-8-1; 2-6-1 WCHA) will attempt to salvage a WCHA series split and earn its first victory versus University of North Dakota (4-6-1; 2-5-0 WCHA) since Feb. 7, 1970 tomorrow in the rubber match.  The opening face off is set for 5:07 p.m. At Robert H. Peters Rink at Sanford Center.

--bsu--