Bemidji State Wins Shootout, Ends First Half Near Top of CCHA

Bemidji State closed the first half of its season with a dramatic finish on the road at Augustana, salvaging a series with a shootout victory after a 4-4 tie in regulation. The series began with a 3-1 loss for BSU on Dec. 5, but the postponed second game, played across Dec. 7 and Dec. 8, saw the Beavers rally late to force overtime and then prevail in the shootout, earning two CCHA points as the teams broke for the midseason pause.

The comeback win underscored the team resilience that has marked BSU through the early portion of conference play. After falling behind in the opening contest, the Beavers responded in the rescheduled matchup with an offensive surge that included late equalizers to push the game beyond regulation. The 4-4 final score reflected a seesaw scoring sequence, and the shootout tiebreaker ultimately provided the decisive margin. Securing the extra points kept Bemidji State competitive in the CCHA leaderboard as the league prepares for the second half.

For local fans and the Beltrami County community, the result matters on several fronts. On the ice, the momentum from a come from behind finish can influence team confidence and tactical choices heading into January. In practical terms, maintaining a position near the top of the conference improves BSU’s outlook for postseason seeding, which in turn affects the likelihood of hosting playoff games that bring visitors and spending to the Bemidji area. The late season timing also gives players a morale boost during the break, a factor coaches often cite when managing form and fitness.

Looking ahead, Bemidji State will use the midseason layoff to regroup and address areas exposed in the series, while hoping to carry the late game resilience into the second half. With two points added from the shootout win, BSU leaves Augustana with a tangible reward and a clearer path as conference play resumes.