Markus Gerbrandt’s second goal of the night gave the Bemidji State University men’s hockey team a 3-2 lead midway the second period, but No. 1 University of Minnesota scored the final three goals of the game to earn a 5-3 nonconference victory and a series sweep Saturday at Mariucci Arena.

The Beavers, now 1-1-0 on in 2014-15, open Western Collegiate Hockey Association play when they host University of Alaska Fairbanks (5-1-0; 0-0-0 WCHA) Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. The teams will get the series underway Friday at 7:37 p.m. and the finale is set for 7:07 p.m. Saturday. Both games will be played at Sanford Center.