Bemidji State to host No. 2 MSU with three-game winning streak on the line

Despite a change in the schedule, the Bemidji State University men’s hockey team will return to action this week when it host No. 2 Minnesota State University Mankato for a single non-conference affair at Sanford Center. The game replaces a Nov. 23 game postponed due to positive COVID-19 tests within the MSU program. The game will get underway at 4:07 p.m.

Friday’s contest marks the fourth time the Beavers have gone head-to-head with the nationally-ranked Mavericks since opening the season versus the intrastate rival Nov. 22. BSU is 0-2-1 versus MSU this season but welcome the Mavericks riding a three-game winning streak, all of which came versus top-10 teams, and a 4-1-2 mark in its last seven games.

The BSU-MSU rivalry dates back to 1974. In the 131 previous meetings between the teams, Minnesota State holds a 60-55-16 edge in the series, while BSU is 35-24-5 when playing the Mavericks in Bemidji, Minn.

Bemidji State evened its record to 4-4-2 Thursday with a 2-1 victory over No. 5 Bowling Green and followed that with a 3-1 win Friday to complete the non-conference series sweep. BSU is now 5-4-2 overall. The Beavers’ 3-1 victory marked its third consecutive victory over BGSU and BSU is now 4-1-2 in its last seven games. BSU assembled its first series sweep of the season and its first non-conference series sweep since Jan. 15-16, 2016 when BSU defeated Arizona State (5-0 and 2-0) at Sanford Center.

Ethan Somoza logged the third game-winning goal of his career in Thursday’s 2-1 win–it was his second in as many games.

BSU’s top scorer Brendan Harris logged an assist Thursday and an assist Friday to extend his point streak to eight games (5g-4a). His 10 points (6g-4a) has surpassed his four-point (4a), injury-shortened (11 games) junior season and his six goals is a career-high. Lukas Sillinger leads all BSU rookies in scoring (3g-3a) following a goal Thursday and an assist Friday. His six points is tied for third among WCHA newcomers.

Ross Armour logged his second assist of the season Thursday. After going the first seven games of the season without a point, he has two assists in BSU’s last four games.

Blueliner Kyle Looft was credited with his first assist of 2020-21 Thursday and his second Friday. For his offensive output and his defensive excellence, he was selected as the WCHA Defender of the Week. He now has two points (1g-2a) this season.

Zach Driscoll was outstanding in net Jan. 21-22 and propelled BSU to a sweep over BGSU. He was 2-0-0 with a 1.00 goals against average and stopped 57-of-59 shots on goal for a .966 save percentage. Since Dec. 19, Driscoll is 4-1-2 with a 1.68 goals against average and a .947 save percentage to rank among the top 10 in the country in wins, save percentage and GAA during that run.

This season BSU has already played seven games versus teams among the top 10 in the country and is 3-3-1 in those games.

Listen to the game on 92.1 The River and online at beaverradionetwork.com.