The Bemidji State University men’s ice hockey team opens its 59th season of hockey with a nonconference home-and-home series versus University of North Dakota this weekend. The Beavers will travel to Grand Forks, N.D. Friday for a 7:37 p.m. Contest before returning to Bemidji, Minn. to host UND Saturday at 7:07 p.m.
In a series that dates back to 1970, North Dakota holds a 25-3-3 advantage, which includes a 1-1 tie last season. BSU is 1-18-3 when playing UND in Grand Forks, and a 2-7-0 mark on its home ice, and BSU is 1-0-1 versus North Dakota since Nov. 20, 2011 at Sanford Center. Despite the win-loss differential in the all-time series, seven of the last 14 meetings between the teams have been decided by one goal or less.
Bemidji State, which finished 10-21-7 overall and posted an 10-14-4 mark in WCHA play to finish tied for eighth in the final league standings, wrapped up its 2013-14 campaign with a trip to then No. 7 Ferris State University for the opening round of the WCHA playoffs. After going down 1-0 in the best-of-three playoff series, the Beavers extended game two into a second overtime period, before FSU gained a berth into the WCHA Final Five with a 3-2 victory.
A limited number of tickets for BSU’s home opener reamin. Stop by the Sanford Center’s Bob Lowth Ford Pick Up Window or call Tony at (218) 441-4018.