MARQUETTE, Mich. – In a defensive battle, Northern Michigan University hockey fell to Bemidji State 1-0 in the series opener.  NMU falls to 11-12-6 on the season with an 8-9-4 Western Collegiate Hockey Association record, while the Beavers improved to 11-14-4 on the year with a 7-10-4 conference record.  Junior net minder Michael Doan made 29 saves on the night in 58:21 of action.

Bemidji State was able to outshoot NMU 15-8 in the opening period but the Wildcats held the Beavers scoreless killing off two power plays.

Northern Michigan opened the second period by holding Bemidji scoreless on another pair of power plays before Bemidji opened the scoring at the 13:42 mark.  Senior defenseman Sam Rendle scored the goal from the left point after receiving a pass across from the right point from his line mate senior defenseman Sam Windle.

Bemidji held a slight advantage in shots in the second period by a 9-8 margin.

The Wildcats had a pair of opportunities in the third period but were unable to get a shot past Bemidji goalie Michael Bitzer.  Junior forward Cohen Adair found some space in the slot halfway into the final period but found the pipe in the best Wildcat opportunity of the game up to that point.  Junior forward Darren Nowick also had an opportunity when he found an open spot outside the crease with 15 seconds remaining but was unable to convert.

Northern Michigan held the advantage in shots for the third by a 9-6 tally with the Beavers leading for the game at 30-25.

Nowick led NMU with six shots on net, while freshmen defenders Zach Urban and Jordan Klimek each had three for the game.

Northern Michigan closes out the series tomorrow night, Saturday, February 14th at 7:07 p.m. in the Berry Events Center.