Minnesota took a 5-3 decision at Bemidji State in regulation, built on a middle period they owned 2-0. The Gophers never trailed after the opening 20 minutes, and the Beavers' late push arrived with the margin already set.
Bemidji State got on the board in the first, but Minnesota answered twice to lead 2-1 after one. The second period was the turning point: a 2-0 frame stretched it to 4-1, and while the Beavers won the third 2-1, the two-goal cushion held to the finish.
The number that matters is the four unanswered-period edge in the middle 20 — Minnesota's 2-0 second turned a one-goal game into a three-goal one. Bemidji State outscored the Gophers 2-1 in the third, but needed more than one period of that.