Brad Hunt and the Bemidji State men's hockey team hosts Wisconsin in the final regular season series at the Sanford Center. Pioneer File Photo/Eric Stromgren.
The Bemidji State men’s hockey team will face Wisconsin for the first time in Bemidji in program history this weekend at the Sanford Center.
Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves made the trip once before in 1987.
He coached Wisconsin-Eau Claire back then and lost to R.H. ‘Bob’ Peters’ Beavers by 8-4 and 7-0 scores at the John Glas Fieldhouse.
“Coming in as a new coach I heard about coach Peters, and what a legend he was at the Division III level and really highly respected,” Eaves said. “I was expecting to go to Bemidji and see this unbelievable rink. It was a little bit of a letdown. It was beat up. It was a home-court advantage.”
Eaves remembered the challenge of communicating with his teams in the split locker rooms at the Glas.
“I’ve heard that’s not the case with the new arena,” Eaves said. “The new arena is supposed to be very nice and I look forward to seeing it.”
The series against Wisconsin (Friday 7:37 p.m., Saturday 7:07 p.m.) is the regular season-finale for BSU at the Sanford Center. The Beavers are six standings points out of the final home position for the first round of the WCHA playoffs and can make up the ground in the final two weeks.
According to the website playoffstatus.com, BSU will finish no lower than eighth place if it can sweeps Wisconsin and Alaska-Anchorage next week. BSU needs all four wins and help from other teams to finish between fourth and seventh place.
Bemidji State (15-14-3, 9-12-3 WCHA) is currently in ninth place will look to continue its home success against the 10th place Badgers (13-15-2, 8-14-2 WCHA).
The Beavers are 11-4-1 at home this season and are tied for second behind Wisconsin for most home wins (12) in the league. The record is a contrast from last year’s 5-8-3 home mark in the arena’s first year.
“It feels like home to us now,” BSU senior Jamie MacQueen said. “We pride ourselves on our home play and we like to put on a good show in front of our fans.”
Wisconsin is led by sophomore Mark Zengerle (11 goals, 41 points) and junior defenseman Justin Schultz (13 goals, 40 points), an Anaheim Draft pick who BSU head coach Tom Serratore thinks might be the best defensemen in the country. The Badgers are down in the WCHA standings in large part to its 1-8-1 road record.
The Beavers are still looking for the first win against Wisconsin in program history after the 2006 NCAA Tournament loss and the December 2010 Badgers series sweep in Madison.
“We want to get up as far as we can in the standings and so do they,” Serratore said. “It’s a situation where we need points, they need points and we’re excited to have Wisconsin come to our building.”
Bemidji State’s three-game winning streak ended on the road against Minnesota last weekend with 3-0 and 4-1 losses.
“We felt pretty bad after Friday, but we came back with a good effort on Saturday so hopefully we can carry that mental state into this weekend,” MacQueen said.
Bemidji State may return sophomore forward Radoslav Illo this weekend, who has missed the last five games with an undisclosed lower body injury. Serratore was encouraged by his progress this week at practice and said there is a 50 percent chance he will play against the Badgers.
“We’ve had good practices and the only thing I can gauge our intensity on is our practices,” Serratore said. “I thought we had a good practice last week and we went to Minnesota on Friday and weren’t very good. You just don’t know what to expect sometimes. The guys know what to expect right now. They want to move up as far in the standings as they can and want to be playing good going into the playoffs.”
Jamie MacQueen interview
Bemidji State’s Jamie MacQueen talks about the series against Wisconsin, how the team feels after last week’s sweep at Minnesota and how this season at home feels like the John Glas Fieldhouse.
BSU women face North Dakota in WCHA playoffs
Bemidji State gets another crack at North Dakota in a rematch of the 2011 playoffs won by UND in three games.
I wrote a lengthy feature on senior goalie Zuzana Tomcikova and her career at BSU. You can read it here.
What I’m reading this week
Bemidji State vs. Wisconsin (Friday 7:37, Saturday 7:07)
TV: Lakeland Public Television and regionally in Minnesota on the PBS Minnesota Channel. Also available on the Minnesota Channel in areas of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin where Minnesota Public Television stations are received. More information here.
Radio: Locally on The Mix 103.7 FM and online at the Beaver Radio Network.
Twitter: I’ll be taking photos during the first period and I will provide game updates on my Twitter account at the start of the second period @estromgren. You can expect line charts up on this blog before the game starts.
I profiled Bemidji State leading scorer Jordan George this week for the Pioneer, and you can read the feature on the Madison native here.
USCHO takes a look at potential playoff formats for the new-look WCHA in two years. The column also takes a look at BSU’s power play and profiles defenseman Brad Hunt. From Tyler Buckentine and Brian Halverson, USCHO.com.
Wisconsin will be starting freshman Landon Peterso nin goal this weekend in his first-series opening start since October. He’s starting for Joel Rumpel, who suffered a deep gash above his knee during last Friday’s game against Denver. The injury required 20 stitches. From Andy Baggot, Wisconsin State Journal.
Here’s a look at Wisconsin playoff scenarios from Bucky’s 5th Quarter hockey blogger Chuck Schwartz.
Colorado College at Minnesota-Duluth (Friday and Saturday, 7:07 p.m.)
Thursday turned into a long travel day for Colorado College when a snowstorm snarled traffic on the interstate from Colorado Springs to Denver causing the team to miss the flight to Duluth. Rylan Schwartz didn’t practice Friday due to the flue and Jaden Schwartz is hampered by upper body soreness. From Brian Gomez, Colorado Springs Gazette.
Colorado College is making its Amsoil Arena debut this weekend in their first trip to Duluth since March 2010. UMD star forward J.T. Brown missed the Mankato series with an upper body injury last weekend, practiced this week but is questionable for this weekend’s series. From Kevin Pates, Duluth News Tribune.
The UMD student section was warned by Athletic Director Bob Nielson to clean up its act after complaints to the athletic department over racist chants during UMD’s series against North Dakota on Feb. 10-11. From Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune.
Some members of the student section have written an open letter to apologize for the behavior of that weekend. You can read that on The Ciskie Blog.
St. Cloud State at Michigan Tech (Friday and Saturday, 6:07 p.m.)
Extra work is paying off for St. Cloud State’s Brooks Bertsch, who is showing up for practice early and staying late after practice is done. From Mick Hatten, St. Cloud Times.
This weekend marks the final home games of the regular seaon for Michigan Tech, in seventh place and on the edge of home ice in the playoffs. Staying out of the penalty box and puck movement on the power play have been the biggest struggles as of late for the Huskies. From Stephen Anderson, Houghton Daily Mining Gazette.
North Dakota at Denver (Friday 9:07, Saturday, 8:07 p.m.)
North Dakota’s Danny Kristo grew up in Indiana in a town of 85,000 with only two hockey rinks. He moved to Eden Prairie as a seventh grader and is now three points away from reaching 100 career points. From Brad Schlossman, Grand Forks Herald.
North Dakota and Denver are in similar positions, fighting for a home-ice position in the playoffs and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. It’s the only series this year between the two teams, which played twice in the postseason last year. North Dakota beat Denver 3-2 in overtime of the WCHA Final Five title game and again 6-1 in the NCAA Tournament a week later. From Mike Chambers, Denver Post.
Minnesota at Nebraska-Omaha (Friday 7:37, Saturday, 7:07 p.m.)
After sweeping the Beavers in a grind-it-out style series last weekend, the Gophers are expecting racehorse hockey against the Mavericks in Omaha this weekend. From Roman Augustoviz, Star Tribune.
Omaha’s Ryan Walters initially was a Minnesota commitment. When the Gophers asked him to play another year of junior hockey he decomitted and ended up at UNO. The Rosemount native was the hero of last week’s rally against Colorado College and he’s a fixture in the UNO lineup. From Rob White, Omaha World-Herald.
World-Herald columnist Tom Shatel takes a look at how UNO hockey fits in with high-profile programs like Creighton basketball and Nebraska-Lincoln (Cornhusker) sports.
Alaska-Anchorage vs. Alaska-Fairbanks (Friday and Saturday, 10:07 p.m.)
The in-state rivals play for the annual Alaska Airlines Governor’s Cup Friday at Anchorage and Saturday at Fairbanks. Fairbanks is trying to defend its cup title for the last three years.
BSU closes out the regular seaosn against the Seawolves next weekend in Anchorage, so Beaver Hockey fans will want to keep an eye on this series. Series notes from GoSeawolves.com
Millsy’s Former and Future Beavers Update
Millsy over at The Beaver Pond tracks the statistics of former Bemidji State players and prospects in the junior leagues. Here is the latest update with stats current as of Feb. 12.
FORMER BEAVERS
-Andrew Murray-San Jose Sharks (NHL) 39 GP, 1G-3A-4 Pts., 4 PIM, +3 (sent to Worcester)
*******Worcester Sharks (AHL) 6 GP, 2G-1A-3 Pts., 0 PIM, -3
-Matt Read-Philadelphia (NHL) 55 GP, 16G-18A-34 Pts., 6 PIM, +10
-Matt Francis-Nottingham Panthers (ELITE League) 52 GP, 20G-30A-50 Pts., 31 PIM
-Brendan Cook-Sonderjyske (Denmark) 33 GP, 20G-13A-33 Pts, 22 PIM
-Tyler Scofield-Klagenfurter AC (Austria) 39 GP, 15G-12A-27 Pts, 24 PIM
-Anssi Tieranta-LeKi (Finland2) 14 GP, 0G-0A-0 Pts, 12 PIM
-Mikka Lindholm-HKC (Finland3) 21 GP, 11G-11A-22 Pts., 28 PIM
-Matt Dalton-Vityaz Chekhov (KHL) 34 GP, 7W-21L-4SOL, 90.9 Save %, 3.49 GAA, 11 PIM
-Emil Billberg-Sodertalje (Allsvenskan) 44 GP, 6G-5A-11 Pts., 20 PIM
-Ryan Huddy-Valpelice (Italy) 18 GP, 7G-14A-21 Pts., 6 PIM (Injured)
-Rob Sirianni-Valpelice (Italy) 35 GP, 19G-20A-39 Pts., 32 PIM
*******Team Italy (Euro Ice Hockey Challenge): 6 GP, 4G-1A-5 Pts., 6 PIM
-Chris McKelvie-Connecticut Whale (AHL) 35 GP, 2G-2A-4 Pts., 40 PIM, -1
-Jamie Mattie-HC Innsbruck (Austria2) 23 GP, 2G-8A-10 Pts., 6 PIM
-Matt Climie-Chicago (AHL) 24 GP, 16W-7L-OSOL, 92.6 Save %, 2.42 GAA, 2 PIM, 3 Assists
*******-Vancouver Canucks (NHL) 0 GP(Returned to Chicago)
-Ian Lowe-Idaho Steelheads (ECHL) 50 GP, 8G-21A-29 Pts., 46 PIM, -10
*******-Texas Stars (AHL) 6 GP, 0G-0A-0 Pts., 2 PIM, -2 (Returned to Idaho)
-Matt Pope-South Carolina (ECHL) 18 GP, 7G-12A-19 Pts., 4 PIM, +3
*******-Hershey Bears (AHL) 22 GP, 3G-2A-5 Pts., 14 PIM, -2
-Niko Suoraniemi-Eindhoven Kemphanen (Netherlands) 28 GP, 6G-16A-22 Pts., 16 PIM
-Daryl Bat-Tyringe SoSS (Sweden Division 2) 25 GP, 14G-13A-27 Pts., 26 PIM
-Riley Weselowski-Rapid City (CHL) 48 GP, 7G-25A-32 Pts., 47 PIM, +20
-Luke Erickson-Arizona (CHL) 48 GP, 13G-13A-26 Pts., 28 PIM, -19
-Brandon Marino-Quad City (CHL) 49 GP, 29G-38A-67 Pts., 20 PIM, -2
-Andrew Martens-Wichita Thunder (CHL) 33 GP, 9G-17A-26 Pts., 22 PIM, +26
*******Oklahoma City Barons (AHL) 12 GP, 0G-1A-1 Pts., 2 PIM, -3 (Returned to Wichita)
*******Toronto Marlies (AHL) 4 GP, 0G-2A-2 Pts., 2 PIM, +2
-Ryan Cramer-Tulsa Oilers (CHL) 41 GP, 13G-21A-34 Pts., 44 PIM, -5
BEAVER RECRUITS
-Brady Riesgraf-Fargo Force (USHL) 3 GP, 0G-0A-0 Pts., 2 PIM, +1
**********-Coulee Region Chill (NAHL) 20 GP, 1G-2A-3 Pts., 10 PIM, -16
-Brendan Harms-Portage Terriers (MJHL) 39 GP, 20G-34A-54 Pts., 43 PIM
-Bob Kinne-Lincoln Stars (USHL) 29 GP, 4G-2A-6 Pts., 6 PIM, +3
-Corey Petrash-Winnipeg Saints (MJHL) 47 GP, 14G-19A-33Pts., 50 PIM
-Brad Robbins-Sioux City (USHL) 40 GP, 19G-18A-37 Pts., 20 PIM, -16
-Graeme McCormack-Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL) 52 GP, 12G-38A-50 Pts., 42 PIM
-Cory Ward-Aberdeen Wings (NAHL) 45 GP, 27G-24A-51 Pts., 27 PIM, +14
-Carter Struthers-Weyburn Red Wings (SJHL) 41 GP, 5G-19A-24 Pts., 25 PIM
-Markus Gerbrannt-Ft. McMurray (AJHL) 58 GP, 32G-32A-64 Pts., 65 PIM
-Mike Soucier-Mississauga Senators (GTMHL) Stats Unavailable
-James Hansen-Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) 41 GP, 3G-8A-11 Pts., 56 PIM, +4
Parting shot
As some of you may or may not know, this is my last week at the Bemidji Pioneer. I am leaving for another job with no regrets and many positive memories. To all of my readers, I give my gratitude and thank you.
I’ve have covered (and photographed) many memorable sporting events since coming to town in the summer of 2007.
One of my favorite hockey photos is this one of BSU winning the 2009 College Hockey America Tournament championship game at the John Glas Fieldhouse. At that moment I thought, along with many others in town, that there was something special about this team. The 2009 Beavers reached the Frozen Four and inspired so many people in town and across the country.
This photo always comes to mind whenever I think of Bemidji State hockey.
The Bemidji State men's hockey team celebrates after Matt Read scored in overtime to defeat Robert Morris in the College Hockey America Tournament championship game. Pioneer FIle Photo/Eric Stromgren.
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Follow Eric Stromgren on Twitter at @estromgren and on Facebook.
