Bemidji State defeats No. 16 St. Thomas 3-1 as Hildebrand shines

Max Hildebrand backstopped Bemidji State University men’s ice hockey to a 3-1 victory over No. 16 University of St. Thomas at the Sanford Center, opening the home series on February 27, 2026. The goaltender’s standout performance helped the Beavers hold a nationally ranked opponent to a single goal.

Bemidji State scored in each period, producing the three goals that decided the game, while St. Thomas managed its lone marker in the middle frame. The period-by-period balance left the final score 3-1 in favor of the Beavers and reflected a consistent offensive push from Bemidji across all three periods.

As the Beavers’ goaltender, Max Hildebrand was the standout figure in net, limiting the Tommies to one goal and preserving Bemidji State’s multi-period scoring advantage. Hildebrand’s play between the pipes was the defensive backbone that prevented a second-period Tommies goal from turning the game’s momentum.

The victory came at the Sanford Center in Bemidji and served as the first game of the home series against a top-20 opponent. Defeating No. 16 St. Thomas at home is a measurable result for Bemidji State’s weekend slate and is a concrete win for the program against a ranked non-conference foe at the Sanford Center.

Friday’s 3-1 result gives Bemidji State a decisive opening to the home series and places the Beavers in the favorable position of having outscored St. Thomas across all three periods while relying on Hildebrand’s strong goaltending. The outcome on February 27, 2026 should set the tone for the remainder of the home series at the Sanford Center against the Tommies.