Scott Byrum scored the only goal of the shootout to defeat the Portland State Vikings 4-3 on Thursday night in Portland. Alex Miklovic played a great game in net for the 49ers, even getting a little help from the crossbar twice during the shootout.

Long Beach trailed 2-0 after two periods against a Viking squad with only eight skaters. Five minutes into the third period, Robbie Zdjelar tapped in a rebound from Tanner Woodbury’s point shot to break the seal on Viking tender Ryan Stanchfield and bring the 49ers closer at 2-1.

The Vikings played a good game of “keep away” for the next 10 minutes until Joe Nalley singlehandedly stole the puck from a Viking defender in the slot  and fired a low shot past Stanchfield for the 2-2 tie.

With 47 seconds to go in the game, Kevin Young and Brad Roberts set screens in front allowing Scott Byrum to sneak a shot past Stanchfield for the 3-2 go ahead goal. However Portland pulled the goalie and was able to tie the score with 17 seconds left.

Overtime flew by with no goals so the game went to the shootout. The 49ers sent Sean Hoang and Joe Nalley out for rounds one and two, but they were unable to beat Stanchfield. Bryum made a nice deke in the slot and beat Stanchfield clean in round three. Tucker Dougherty had a chance to extend the shootout but Miklovic made the save to secure the Beach victory.

The 49ers have now won 5 of the last 6 going back to December ’09. Tomorrow the team travels to Seattle for the Univ. of Wash at 10pm and then Saturday at 6:30pm.

Reports From Phil Goodman & LBSU Ice Hockey