Bemidji State Beavers Defeat No. 16 Minnesota State Mavericks in OT

Oliver Peer and Zach Hildebrand lead the Beavers to victory in a close matchup.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

The Bemidji State men's hockey team defeated the 16th-ranked Minnesota State Mavericks in overtime, led by a strong performance from Oliver Peer and goaltender Zach Hildebrand. Peer, the team's leading scorer, was held without a shot on goal for much of the game but came through in the clutch to help the Beavers secure the victory.

Why it matters

This win over a highly ranked opponent is a significant accomplishment for the Bemidji State hockey program, showcasing their ability to compete with top teams in the conference. The Beavers' performance also highlights the depth and talent of their roster, with key contributions from both offensive and defensive standouts.

The details

Despite being held in check for much of the game, Oliver Peer came through in overtime to score the game-winning goal for the Beavers. Goaltender Zach Hildebrand also played a crucial role, making several key saves to keep the Beavers in the game and ultimately secure the victory.

  • The game was played on February 16, 2026.
  • The Beavers lost to the Mavericks 1-0 in the series opener on February 15, 2026.

The players

Oliver Peer

The leading scorer for the Bemidji State men's hockey team.

Zach Hildebrand

The goaltender for the Bemidji State men's hockey team, who made several key saves to secure the victory.

Minnesota State Mavericks

The 16th-ranked college hockey team that the Bemidji State Beavers defeated in overtime.

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What’s next

The Beavers will look to build on this momentum as they continue their conference schedule, with their next game scheduled for February 21, 2026.

The takeaway

This overtime victory against a highly ranked opponent showcases the depth and resilience of the Bemidji State men's hockey team, and their ability to win close games against top competition.