Minnesota Duluth Tops Bemidji 4-1 in Series Opener

Minnesota Duluth beat Bemidji State 4-1 in Duluth to open their nonconference hockey series, breaking open a close game with three third-period goals. Luke Bibby gave UMD the lead in the first period on an unusual goal that crossed the line after bouncing off the net and goaltender Max Hildebrand; Callum Arnott, Zam Plante and Ty Hanson scored in the final frame. Freshman goalie Carl Axelsson kept UMD ahead until Bemidji State’s Jiri Klima scored late to end the shutout. UMD’s coach said the team’s first 40 minutes were poor despite the win, while Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore said his team had chances to make it a different game but needed to respond better in the third.