BEMIDJI, MINN. - The Niagara men's hockey team (7-18-4, 2-9-2 CHA) fell into a 5-0 hole from which they couldn't not get out of, falling 6-1 to the No. 9 Bemidji State Beavers in the final game at the John Glas Fieldhouse on Saturday night.

"We didn't get many breaks or bounces tonight," head coach Dave Burkholder said.

The Beavers jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in a two-minute span during the first period, on goals by Darcy Findlay and Ian Lowe. Niagara would head into the first intermission down 3-0 after a late goal by Ben Kinne, despite outshooting the Beavers by an 11-9 margin.

Adam Avramenko took over goaltending duties for freshman Andrew Hare to start the second period, but to the same result. The No. 9 Beavers scored twice more to take a 5-0 lead after 40 minutes in a period where they outshot the Purple Eagles by a 24-5 margin. 

Niagara finally dented the scoreboard 7:31 into the third period, when freshman blueliner C.J. Chartrain ripped a point shot that beat Beavers netminder Dan Bakala for his third goal of the season. Ryan Cramer rounded out scoring for the Beavers about just past the halfway mark of the third period.

"Our guys never quit and competed like champions in the third," Burkholder said.

Avramenko made 27 saves in the 6-1 loss to the Beavers.

The Purple Eagles are back in action on Friday, February 26, when they begin a three-game set at Dwyer Arena against Alabama-Huntsville.