The Bemidji State University men’s ice hockey team breaks from WCHA play this weekend when it hosts St. Cloud State University for a two-game series. The Beavers, now 3-9-0 overall look to get back on track after being swept at Bowling Green State University last weekend (L, 3-1 and L, 3-2) to extend their losing streak to six games.
Faceoff for the series opener is set for 7:37 p.m. Friday, while the puck drops for the finale at 7:07 p.m. Saturday.
In a series dating back to January of 1948, the Beavers and Huskies have previously met 92 times, logging the third-longest rivalry in Beaver Hockey history. BSU has played only Wisconsin-Superior (124) and Minnesota State (100) more often. BSU opens the series clinging to a 45-42-5 edge in the series with a 26-20-1 mark against SCSU in Bemidji. However, BSU has earned just one win in its last eight meetings with the Huskies (1-5-2). The Beavers’ last win over the Huskies came Dec. 3, 2011 at the National Hockey Center, 3-1. BSU has also struggled versus SCSU at home as of late. To find the Beavers’ last home win versus the Huskies, you have to reach back to Oct. 24, 2008 to a 4-2 victory over then-No. 15 SCSU at the John S. Glas Fieldhouse.
The beginning of the 2014-15 has pitted the Beavers versus the nation’s best. All 12 of BSU’s games have been versus teams ranked among the top 20 in the country, according to the USCHO.com poll, which includes six games versus the nation’s top five. The Beavers may venture outside the WCHA this weekend, but the level of opponent will remain the same. The Huskies come to Sanford Center ranked 16th by USCHO.com this week and just out of the top 15 according to USA Hockey Magazine.
Sophomore Brendan Harms has recorded at least a point in each of BSU’s last four contests and his 10 points (5g-5a) leads the team, while he is tied with Nate Arentz for the team’s lead with five goals. Harms, along with forward Markus Gerbrandt (4g-5a) and defenseman Sam Rendle (1g-5a) currently sit atop the team’s assist list with five apiece. Bemidji State has split its goaltending duties between veteran Andrew Walsh and rookie Michael Bitzer. Bitzer leads the team in wins with two (2-4-0), goals against average (2.70) and a .902 save percentage.
St. Cloud State opens the series toting a 5-6-1 overall record, but has gained at least a point in the standings in three of its last four contests (2-1-1). The Huskies’ attack has been led by Jonny Brodzinski and Joey Benik, who have each logged 11 points this season. Brodzinski’s seven goals is a team high, while Kalle Kossila is SCSU’s top assist man with seven. Charlie Lindgren has shouldered the bulk of the goaltending duties for SCSU this year. He is 5-6-1 with a 2.41 goals against average and a .915 save percentage.