The Bemidji State University men’s hockey team returns from the holiday break to lift the lid on the 2021 calendar year with a road trip to Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. for a pair of non-conference games versus Lake Superior State University Jan. 2-3. The Saturday-Sunday series is a part of a four-game road swing that includes a Jan. 7-8 series at Bowling Green State University to open the Western Collegiate Hockey Association slate. The BSU-LSSU series is set for a 4:07 p.m. (CT) start Saturday and a 2:07 p.m. (CT) opening faceoff Sunday at LSSU’s Taffy Abel Arena.

The Beavers travel to LSSU seeking their first victory since a 6-3 win over Michigan Tech Dec. 12. Since the win over the Huskies BSU is 0-2-1, which includes a 1-1 draw with then-No. 5 Minnesota State Dec. 19.

In one of the Beavers’ oldest rivalries, the Beavers and Lakers first met in 1966. Since that first meeting, a BSU 3-1 victory, the Beavers are 31-34-5 versus LSSU and are 15-17-2 when facing the Lakers in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

While BSU trails LSSU in the all-time series, since Nov. 8, 2019 the Beavers are 5-1-1 in seven meetings with the Lakers, which includes a 2-1 WCHA Playoff series victory to end the Lakers’ 2019-20 season.

Not unlike BSU and Sanford Center, no fans will be in attendance at Taffy Abel Arena this weekend. While no fans will be allowed inside the venue, there are still options for fans to follow the Beavers live. As always, all games will also be carried by the Beaver Radio Network both online and 92.1 on the FM radio dial. Games can also be found on 107.9 in Grand Rapids, 94.3 in Thief River Falls, and on 94.5 in Baudette.