BEMIDJI, Minn. -- (John S. Glas Fieldhouse) -- The No. 12 Bemidji State men’s Ice hockey team continues to find ways to win.
After simply out scoring their opponents in the opening weeks of 2009-10, it was the Beavers’ defense that gave them the edge Saturday at the John S. Glas Fieldhouse. Sophomore goaltender Dan Bakala (Calgary, Alberta) turned away 23 shots en route to a 2-0 College Hockey America victory over Robert Morris University. The shutout was the first of the sophomore’s collegiate career, the second of the season for BSU and helped the Beavers improve to 6-0-1, the team’s best stretch to open a season since it went 11-0-0 in 1984-85.
Goals were not easy to come by during the first two periods of action. Despite holding a 26-17 advantage in shots through 40 minutes, the Beavers were unable to solve Brooks Ostergard and it may have been the Colonials that had the best scoring opportunity. Thirteen minutes into the second period, Bakala moved to the right post to make a save, but was unable to corral the loose puck leaving the net wide open for J.C. Velasquez. Just as the winger fired the shot, BSU defender Brady Wacker (Fr., Jansen, Saskatchewan) dove across the crease and deflect the shot wide to preserve the scoreless tie.
The Beavers took the first lead of the contest 8:23 into the final period. Jake Areshenko (Fr., D, Port Cocquitilan, British Columbia) recorded his first point in a BSU sweater starting the play with a pass out of the corner and up the boards to fellow rookie Jordan George (Fr., F, Madison, Wis.). The forward then threaded a pass to Matt Read (Jr., F, Ilderton, Ontario) just inside the Beavers’ offensive zone and Read fired a shot over the left shoulder of Ostergard and into the back of the net. The goal, which would stand as the difference maker, is the junior’s team-leading third game-winning goal of the season.
With 43 seconds to play, RMU head coach Derek Schooley pulled Ostergard in favor of the extra attacker, but the plan would backfire. BSU blueliner Chris Peluso (Sr., D, Wadena, Minn.) picked off a pass and the duo of George and Read would hook up again with 23 seconds left on the clock to solidify the win, 2-0. It was George’s third goal of the season.
The power-play was a non-factor in the game as the Beavers were 0-for-3 on the man advantage and RMU was scoreless on four chances and managed just two shots on net on the power-play.
Bakala improves to 5-0-1 on the season with the win and is 3-0-0 in CHA play. In his last three outings, he has posted three victories, allowed a goals against average of 0.65 and has a save percentage of .976.
Ostergard finished with 37 saves, allowed one goal and was tagged with the loss, dropping his season record to 1-4-0.
The Beavers extend their winning streak over RMU at the Glas to three games and takes a 15-8-2 lead in the all-time series.
Bemidji State, now 6-0-1 overall and 3-0-0 in CHA, looks to complete the sweep over RMU (2-5-0; 0-1-0 CHA) tomorrow when the same two teams wrap up the series with a 7:05 p.m. match up.
--bsu--
