What a time to have a scoring burst.
UAH scored four unanswered goals, three in the third period, to defeat Bemidji State 4-2 on Saturday in Bemidji and get a series split.
It was a big turnaround for the Chargers (2-14-0 overall, 2-8-0 WCHA), who had a season high in goals after a lackluster 4-0 loss Friday.
The Chargers came out with more energy at the start, even though it was the Beavers (7-7-2, 5-4-1) were able to score two quick goals.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9zt4iHyWy0[/embedyt]
Charlie Combs’ backhander from just inside the right circle put BSU up 1-0 at the 7:04 mark. It was Combs’ fourth goal of the series after a natural hat trick on Friday.
Dillon Eichstadt followed up with a blast from inside the blue line 65 seconds later.
UAH got on the board right after their first power play expired. Connor Wood followed up on an Adam Wilcox shot to score his first goal of his UAH career with 7:45 remaining in the first.
The second period had no scoring, and not many scoring chances. Shots were 5-all in the period.
UAH then went on an unexpected scoring burst, getting two goals in 38 seconds early in the third period to take a 3-2 lead.
On a delayed penalty call, Bauer Neudecker took a centering pass from Christian Rajic, who beat BSU goalie Zach Driscoll to tie the game at the 3:56 mark.
On the ensuing power play, Cam Knight’s shot from the high slot found its way to the net at 4:34. Jesper Ohrvall got the assist.
The Chargers withstood two Bemidji power plays, and then extended their lead to 4-2 on Connor Merkley’s first tally of the year. He put in a rebound off a John Teets shot. Teets and Ohrvall got the assists.
BSU pulled Driscoll and had the extra attacker for the final 3:34 of the game. Bemidji State used that time to get a final 23-17 shots on goal advantage.
UAH goaltender Jake Theut gets his first collegiate victory, making 21 saves.
UAH travels to Michigan Tech next Friday and Saturday.
Three Stars of the Game:
1. Cam Knight, UAH (Game-winning goal)
2. Jesper Ohrvall, UAH (2 assists)
3. Charlie Combs, BSU (1 goal, 1 assist)
Cam Knight (pictured) scored the game-winning goal. File photo by Todd Thompson/RiverCat Photography.