by Noah Grant/Sports Director/@noahgrant_23

BEMIDJI, Minn. – St. Cloud State men’s hockey opened their season on the road and fell to Bemidji State 3-2 in overtime on Saturday. Hudson Thornton played the role of hero, as his power play goal gave the Beavers their first win against SCSU since 2022.

The night did not start well for first year head coach Nick Oliver and the Huskies. Bemidji State dominated the opening 20 minutes, pouring 17 shots on goaltender Yan Shostak, who was tested early and often. Shostak looked strong throughout the night as he began his sophomore campaign.

The Beavers would find the back of the net with just one of those 17 shots. Maxon Vig created a turnover deep in Huskies territory and centered the puck onto the stick of the onrushing Max Namestnikov, who finished off the opportunity for the first goal of the season at 15:48. Jake McLean recorded the secondary assist.

It would be McLean at 15:56 of the second period to double the Beaver lead. Off a good breakout pass from Vann Yuhas, McLean entered the zone on a two-on-one and his wrister snuck past Shostak on the blocker side.

The Huskies would finally find their footing offensively in the middle frame. SCSU went to the power play and the first unit finally cashed in, with Nolan Roed burying a rebound at 6:13. Finn McLaughlin earned his first Huskies point with the primary assist.

In the third, both teams had quality chances but the goaltending would be strong through the first seven minutes. At 12:49, Thor Byfuglien fired a stretch pass to Charlie Lurie at the Bemidji State blue line. Lurie ripped a shot top shelf on the breakaway to even the score and get his first goal in a Huskies sweater.

Neither side could find an answer in regulation. In overtime, Brayden Dube forced a turnover for the Beavers and went in on a breakaway. Shostak made the save but Jake Southgate was called for slashing to put the Beavers on a power play. That set the stage for the Thornton game-winner at the 1:46 mark of the extra session.

The Huskies return home next weekend to play their first games at the newly renovated Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. It will be the battle of the Huskies as SCSU hosts #19 Michigan Tech. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. with the radio call on KVSC 88.1 FM.

Photo credit: SCSU Athletics