MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Northern Michigan hockey team topped Bemidji State, 3-1, Saturday night at the Berry Events Center.

Cohen Adair's first goal of the year proved to be the difference maker for the Wildcats, as Atte Tolvanen made 34 saves, including 14 in the third period, to stymie the Beaver offense.

Bemidji State jumped out to the lead at 8:23 in the first period on a power play when Cory Ward deflected Graeme McCormack's shot from the point past Tolvanen, who had gone four periods without allowing a score dating back to Oct. 24.

The Wildcats answered at 13:42 in that frame when Robbie Payne took a feed from Shane Sooth between the circles and sent a bullet past Michael Bitzer for his team-leading fourth goal of the year.

At 13:12 in the second period, Adair beat Bitzer in close with a snap shot off a pass from Denver Pierce from behind the net.

The Beavers drew the only man advantage of the third period, but the Wildcat penalty kill was able to keep them from getting any good looks on net. Tolvanen stood tall near the end of that kill, denying Jay Dickman on the doorstep at 6:55.

Darren Nowick capped the scoring with just four seconds left on the clock, winning a face off in the Beaver end and firing the puck into an empty net.

With the win, their first against the Beavers at the Berry Events Center, the Wildcats improve to 3-2-3 (2-1-1 WCHA). They return to action next weekend when they make their lone Alaska trip of the season to face Alaska-Fairbanks.

NOTES: Bemidji State leads the all-time series, 5-4-3 ... The Wildcats were 0-3-2 against the Beavers at the Berry Events Center entering tonight's game ... For the weekend, Northern Michigan held Bemidji State at 1 for 10 on the power play ... With an assist on Adair's goal, Ryan Black picked up his first collegiate point ... Black is the fifth Wildcat newcomer to record his first point so far this season ... Adair is the 12th Wildcat to net a goal this season ... Pierce's helper on Adair's strike was the first assist of his career ... Tolvanen turned aside 80 of 81 Beaver shots during the series.