The Bemidji State men's hockey team returns to CHA play versus long-time foe Alabama-Huntsville this weekend and hope to snap a four-game losing streak in the process.
The Beavers dropped two to both Michigan Tech and North Dakota in their last two series.
The four-game losing skid came after a stretch during which the Beavers went 9-1. During that stretch the Beavers enjoyed a 7-game winning streak.
Two wins during that streak came against UAH in Bemidji. BSU won 3-2 and 4-2 over the Chargers in mid-December.
The Chargers stand 7-16-1 on the season and 4-8 in the CHA for eight points. The Beavers are 12-9-3 overall and 7-2-3 in the CHA with 17 points - two points behind league leader Niagara (17-8-3, 8-1-3).
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The Beavers need a sweep in order to stay close to the Purple Eagles who are at third-place (10 points) Robert Morris (9-13-1, 5-7-0) this weekend.
A sweep won't come easy for the Beavers, however.
The trip south to Huntsville has not been kind to the Beavers, as BSU has managed just four all-time road wins in the series against 17 losses. Conversely, BSU has enjoyed success in the series, leading the Chargers 8-7-1 in 16 all-time meetings in Bemidji.
BSU has gone just 4-17 in 21 games at UAH, but two of those four wins have come in its last five road games in the series. BSU posted a 4-2 win at Huntsville on Feb. 21, 2004 and won 3-1 on Jan. 21, 2005.
The Beavers will look to Travis Winter, Rob Sirianni and Blaine Jarvis this weekend. The trio leads the team in points this season. Winter has 22 (8-14), Sirianni 21 (8-13) and Jarvis 17 (8-9).
Tyler Scofield (4-11-15), Joey Moggach (2-11-13), Matt Pope (5-6-11), Ryan Miller (3-8-11) and Shane Holman (7-3-10) are also above the 10-point mark.
Due to an injury, leading goal scorer Luke Erickson (10-2-12) has only played in 12 games. It is unknown if the senior will take this ice this weekend.
In net, Matt Climie has a 9-5-3 mark with a 2.84 goals against average and a .909 save percentage.
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Climie will have face a pair of 20-plus scorers. Grant Selinger (12-11) and David Nimmo (9-14) both have 23 points on the season.
Joe Federoff led the Chargers earlier in Bemidji with two goals. Selinger and Matt Sweazey netted the other two.
Marc Narduzzi is 6-13-0 in net for UAH. He has a 3.81 gga and a .886 save percentage.
Both games this weekend are set to start at 7:05 p.m.
Women host MSU
Bemidji State's women have home ice this weekend hosting Minnesota State University, Mankato.
The WCHA series will be the final home stand for the Beavers.
The women will also be looking to snap a four-game winless skid. The Beavers dropped two to Minnesota-Duluth and ended with a loss and a tie versus St. Cloud State last weekend.
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The two teams split in their last meeting in Mankato. BSU won the opener 5-2 before the Mavericks rebounded for a 5-1 win the next day.
Five players are in double-digit points for the Beavers. Kelly Hart leads with 17 points (5-12). Kate Robinson (8-6-14), Nikki Eckebrecht (3-11-14), Helena Tageson (9-4-13) and Jenn Sadler (8-4-12) are also in double figures.
Emily Brookshaw is 9-14-4 in net for BSU with a 2.92 gga and a .908 save percentage.
The Mavericks have put up the points this season scoring 84 goals with 113 assists. Four players are above the 20-point mark and five others are in double figures.
Lindsay Macy leads the way with 28 points (13-15). Maggie Fisher (15-11-26), Christina Lee (12-10-22) and Kristina Bunker (5-15-20) aren't far behind.
Britni Kehler is 13-12-1 for MSU with a 2.91 gga and a .915 save percentage.
Tonight's game is scheduled for a 7:07 puck drop and Saturday's game will begin at 2:07.
