MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Northern Michigan hockey team was downed by early WCHA frontrunner Bemidji State, 2-0, Saturday night at the Berry Events Center.

Michael Bitzer made 21 saves, and the Beavers blocked 14 shots, to hold the Wildcats scoreless for the second-straight game.

Jay Dickman opened the scoring at 4:52 of the opening frame. After Gerry Fitzgerald forced a turnover along the boards, he fired a shot on net from the left circle. Atte Tolvanen, who finished the game with 22 stops, made the initial save, but Dickman poked the puck into the net from under his outstretched glove.

Less than five minutes later, Kyle Bauman completed the game's scoring a single second after Bemidji State's first power play expired.

On Northern Michigan's first power play of the middle stanza, Bitzer came up with two big saves to maintain the Beavers' 2-0 lead. After denying a Troy Loggins slapper from just outside the left circle, he sent Denver Pierce's bid to pot the rebound wide.

Tolvanen kept Bemidji State from adding to its lead when Nate Arentz managed to disrupt a breakout on the Wildcats' second man advantage. Tolvanen stuck out his pad to deny Arentz, and Arentz sent the rebound to the left of the post.

A minute later, Filip Starzynski had a chance to chip away at the Beaver advantage when he came up with a turnover in the slot. Bitzer managed to smother his shot, not leaving a rebound for the two Wildcats waiting to pounce.

Northern Michigan managed only four shots in the final period, with their best chance coming with just under six minutes remaining when nifty passing by Robbie Payne and Zach Diamantoni set Brock Maschmeyer up for a look from the point. Maschmeyer's shot sailed through traffic, but Bitzer came up with the save.

The Wildcats return to the ice next weekend, facing Ferris State in Big Rapids, Mich. Friday and Saturday at 7:07 p.m.

NOTES: Bemidji State leads the all-time series 7-4-3 .... Brendan Jacques made his collegiate debut ... Payne and Starzynski tied for the team lead with three shots ... The teams combined to go 0/8 on the man advantage.