The Bemidji State University men’s ice hockey team opens its 2015-16 season this weekend with a nonconference home-and-home series versus No. 2/3 University of Minnesota Duluth. The Beavers travel to Duluth, Minn. and AMSOIL Arena Friday to open the series before returning to Sanford Center to host the Bulldogs Saturday.

One of the Beavers’ most consistent Division I opponents, BSU has clashed with Minnesota Duluth in 14 of 15 seasons since making the jump to NCAA Division I (1999-2000). Although UMD holds a 21-12-1 edge in the all-time series, BSU has won the last two meetings between the teams and is 10-7-1 in the last 18 meetings. The teams first met in Duluth Feb. 8, 1947–in just the 13th game of the BSU program’s existence. The Bulldogs prevailed, 4-3, and would go on the win the next 10 meetings. Dec. 2, 2002, Bemidji State put an end to the Bulldogs’ 54-year stronghold in the series with a 3-2 victory at the DECC. BSU is 5-15-0 all-time when playing on the Bulldogs’ home ice, while it is 4-6-1 on home ice but seeks its first victory over UMD at Sanford Center (0-1-1).