BEMIDJI-It came down to the final seconds, including a dramatic chance at an extra-attacker goal with an empty net.
But in the end, the Bemidji State men's hockey team couldn't keep its season alive.
Bowling Green used an early third-period goal by Matt Pohlkamp to go ahead 2-1 and held on to beat the Beavers 2-1 Saturday in Game 2 of their best-of-three Western Collegiate Hockey Association semifinal series.
The Falcons (20-18-2) advance to next week's WCHA title game, where they will take on either Michigan Tech or Minnesota State March 18.
The Beavers, who needed to win to force a Game 3 and extend their season after losing 4-3 in overtime Friday, end their season with a 23-16-3 record.
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The teams were tied at 1-1 going into the third period. BSU junior forward Gerry Fitzgerald had given BSU an early first-period lead but BGSU's Kevin Dufour tied it just 95 seconds into the second period. Dufour scored three goals Friday night, including the overtime game-winner.
Pohlkamp broke the tie and gave Bowling Green the 2-1 lead just 3:13 into the third. His wrist shot from deep in the right circle looked harmless, but handcuffed BSU goaltender Michael Bitzer, who couldn't get a glove on the puck. It trickled through his legs and into the goal.
The Falcons got another big momentum boost seconds after the goal. BSU senior forward Phil Marinaccio was called for boarding on BG's Stephen Baylis near the player benches.
Marinaccio wasn't ejected from the game, but he received a five-minute major penalty that the Beavers had to kill off in full.
The Beavers had one final chance with a faceoff to BG goalie Chris Nell's left. However, BG's Mitch McLain won the faceoff and prevented another shot.
Nell finished the game with 25 saves for BGSU while Bitzer made 30 for the Beavers.
In all, the Falcons outshot BSU 32-26.
