The Bemidji State University men’s ice hockey team opens a four-game homestand this weekend as it hosts No. 14 Michigan Tech (16-7-5; 13-6-3 WCHA) in a two-game series that could be a preview of the first round of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs. With the Huskies tied for second place in the league standings and BSU holding down the No. 6 spot, there is a possibility the Beavers could be headed to Houghton, Mich. March 11-13.

The Beavers open the series unbeaten in 10-of-12 games (8-2-2) since Jan. 1, but seek their first win over Michigan Tech since Oct. 22, 2011.

Michigan Tech, which is coming off a bye week, is unbeaten in its last eight games (5-0-3). The Huskies, who are second in the WCHA in goals per game (2.95), are led offensively by senior forward Alex Petan. The senior has a team-best 14 goals, including six on the power-play, to go with 11 assists for 25 points. Malcolm Gould and Shane Hanna have posted matching 12-helper seasons to lead MTU’s assist effort. In net, Jamie Phillips has shouldered the bulk of the Huskies’ goaltending duties. He is 16-6-5 on the season and leads the WCHA in wins, is fourth in goals against average (2.00) and sixth in the league with a .921 save percentage.