ANCHORAGE – The nationally-ranked No. 15 Bemidji State Beavers forced a Western Collegiate Hockey Association split with host Alaska Anchorage after defeating the Seawolves, 1-0 at the Sullivan Arena on Saturday afternoon.

After the Seawolves (4-14-2, 3-9-2 WCHA) registered a 4-1 win on Friday afternoon, the Beavers (14-7-3, 14-2-2- WCHA) responded with a 1-0 shutout. BSU picked up the three WCHA points and remains atop the league standings with 46 points after scoring the lone goal in the first period. UAA is currently ninth with 12 points following the weekend.

The afternoon started at the conclusion of a Seawolf penalty when the Beavers got on the board at 12:24 of the first. Scoring for BSU was junior Leo Fitzgerald, the left-wing for the triplet line. Gerry Fitzgerald and the Beavers' goal scorer from last night, Phillip Marinaccio, assisted on the play.

A major and game misconduct on the Beavers' Zach Whitecloud, left UAA with a five-minute power play that carried into the second period. Unfortunately, the Seawolves were only able to furnish one shot during that span.

After an uneventful second period, the Beavers enjoyed a 5-on-3 power-play for 1:25 in the third, but the Seawolves' netminder Olivier Mantha held strong and kept BSU from improving the lead. Mantha was pulled in the final 1:29 of the game for the extra attacker.

Mantha, who made 33 saves, falls to 4-12-2 on the season, while goaltender Michael Bitzer improves to 14-6-3 with 17 saves. UAA was out shot, 34-17, while both teams were scoreless on the power play.

The Seawolves continue their four-game home stand with a pair of WCHA games vs. Ferris State, Jan. 6-7 at the Sullivan Arena. The games are scheduled for 7:07 p.m. AST both evenings.