BEMIDJI, Minn.?Senior forward Erik Fabian scored the winning goal with 3:36 remaining and junior netminder Philippe Lamoureux made 29 saves to lift the 18th-ranked Fighting Sioux men's hockey team to a 3-2 non-conference win over Bemidji State tonight at the John S. Glas Fieldhouse.
With the win UND climbs above .500 at 12-11-2 overall heading into tomorrow night's rematch at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks.
Fabian's goal, his second of the season, came on a 3-on-2 Sioux rush; Darcy Zajac (Fr., Winnipeg, Man.) took the initial shot and Fabian came charging to the net to bang home the rebound.
The goal allowed the Sioux to escape with the victory after seeing BSU rally to tie the game at 2-2 on Ryan Weselowski goal just 23 seconds into the third period. But Lamoureux managed to keep the score tied with several spectacular saves throughout the period, setting the stage for Fabian's winner.
UND built a 2-0 lead in the first period, first with Brad Miller (So., Alpharetta, Ga.) stuffing home a loose puck for his ninth goal of the season at 10:03, then a Jonathan Toews (So., Winnipeg, Man..) power-play tally with 3:04 left in the frame. With the puck lying free in front of the net, both Toews and T.J. Oshie (So., Warroad, Minn.) took swipes it, with Toews connecting for his first goal in eight games.
The Beavers jumped back into the game late in the second period when Tyler Scofield drilled a one-timer past Lamoureux from the right-face off dot with 5:19 left in the period.
Lamoureux was strong throught the game, making nine of his 29 saves during five BSU power-plays. The Beavers finished 1-for-5 with the man advantage, while the Sioux went 1-for-6.
BSU netminder Matt Climie made 33 saves in the loss.
The two teams conclude their home-and-home set tomorrow night at 7:07.
