The Bemidji State University opens play in the new calendar year this weekend when it hosts Ferris State University for a Western Collegiate Hockey Association, two-game series at Sanford Center. The series signifies the start of the second half of the conference season for both teams. The Beavers open play owning second place in the WCHA standings with an 8-3-1-0 mark through 12 games. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs hold down the seventh spot with a 4-6-2-0 record versus the WCHA.
The Beavers look to shake their first three-game losing skid of the season this weekend as they return home to Sanford Center where they are an impressive 5-1-2 on home ice.
Aaron Miller leads the Beavers into the second half with a career-high 20 points (9g-11a) and a team-high nine goals and 11 assists. Co-Captain Adam Brady is second on the team with 16 points (8g-8a), but more importantly has been a vital cog in the Bemidji State power play where he has four goals and leads the team with six (4g-2a) points on the power play. Miller leads all BSU players with seven (3g-4a) points in the Beavers’ last six contests.
Zach Driscoll has handled the bulk of the goaltending duties for the Beavers this season. He is 8-5-2 record, with a 1.79 goals against average to rank 10th in the nation in goals against average, but sat out BSU’s last game due to injury. Hank Johnson made his third start of the season Dec. 29. He is 0-2-1 with a 2.32 GAA and a .917 save percentage.
The BSU penalty-kill unit has been stingy all season. They have allowed just three power play goals in 56 opponent opportunities (.946) to rank first in all of Division I. The Beavers have surrendered one opponent power-play goal since the third period of their Nov. 2 contest and 40 opportunities (.975).
Ferris State arrives in Bemidji, Minn., at 6-11-2 overall and 4-6-2-0 in WCHA play. While the Bulldogs lost their last two contests, both in non-conference play, they are unbeaten in their last four WCHA contests (2-0-2).
The Bulldogs’ defensive corps has been active offensively this season. Three of FSU’s top four scorers roam the blue line. Jake Willets is the team’s top point man with 16 (1g-15a), while fellow defender Nate Kallen is second with 14 points (6g-8a) and four power-play goals. Forward Marshall Moise leads the team in goal scoring with seven (7g-5a).
It has been goaltender by committee for FSU this season. All three goalies have at least seven appearances with senior Austin Shaw leading the team with a 3-3-1 record, 2.47 goals against average and a .909 save percentage.