Sweet ...
Five unanswered power play goals and shut out goaltending from junior Layne Sedevie propelled Bemidji State to a 5-0 victory over visiting Alabama-Huntsville Saturday at The Glas.
Playing his second consecutive game for the first time this season, Sedevie was stellar in net. He stopped all 26 shots he faced, completing a strong weekend that saw him allow one goal over the two game sweep.
The big victory gave the Beavers (18-14-3, 12-7-1 CHA) the series sweep it desperately wanted and needed. As a result of taking two from the Chargers (18-12-2, 12-7-1 CHA), BSU earned second place in College Hockey America and a first round bye in the CHA tournament, which starts in Detroit Friday.
"It was a gigantic weekend for Beaver hockey," said BSU coach Tom Serratore. "Getting the bye for the tournament is always huge, but especially so this year. The games are Friday evening, Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. Having to play three games with that kind of a turnaround time is a huge disadvantage."
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After a scoreless first period the Beavers connected on three of six power play chances to take a big 3-0 lead into the third period. BSU connected twice again on the power play in the third to take a 5-0 lead and all but put things away.
It was the huge three goal second period that the Beavers in the driver's seat. BSU scored three power play goals in a span of just under eight minutes to take control.
"I thought we played a little stale in the first period," Serratore said. "But after scoring that first goal we got energized. We played with a lot of passion from then on. It was a wonderful game all the way around."
Senior Ryan Huddy started things off, taking a pass from Riley Weselowki at mid-ice, wheeling into the Charger zone and ripping a wrist shot past UAH goalie Scott Munroe at the 3:39 mark.
Shortly after Huntsville's Grant Selinger rang one off the post on the penalty kill, Ryan Miller made it 2-0 Beavers. Once again on a power play breakout play, Luke Erickson got off a hard shot with Munroe giving up a short rebound. Miller was there to jump on the puck and score.
Rob Sirianni, continuing his torrid scoring pace, converted on a nice passing play to make it 3-0. Tyler Scofield started it all with a pass to Miller who cruised up the far side. He then made a perfect centering drop pass in the slot and Sirianni put it away.
It was a rough period of play with 10 penalties being called, six on Huntsville. They were costly penalties for the visitors as the Beavers went 3 for 6 on the power play. BSU held a 14-10 shot advantage for the period. The Beavers were able to kill off a UAH 5 on 3 advantage for 1:12 to keep UAH off the board.
Just 3:02 into the third period with the Chargers Mike Salekin in the box for hooking, the Beavers made UAH pay again. This time Sirianni jumped on a rebound off a shot from Jean-Guy Gervais and scored top shelf past Munroe.
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Then, for the capper, the Beavers got their fifth power play of the night with 2:15 to go as Luke Erickson connected on a rebound off a shot from Riley Weselowski.
It was a dominating period for the Beavers, who out shot the Chargers 14-6. For the game BSU held a 38-26 shot advantage.
There was no scoring in an evenly played first period. Special teams took center stage in the period, with the Beavers killing a pair of penalties and UAH one. The teams ended with 10 shots each in the period.
Beaver senior Lou Garritan missed a golden opportunity to put the Beavers up 1-0, looking at an open net off a rebound. His shot went over the net in the bang-bang play. Erickson also had the puck in close with just over a minute remaining, but Munroe came up big on a pair of shots.
Final CHA standings now find Niagara on top, followed by Bemidji State, UAH, Robert Morris, Air Force and Wayne State. In the tournament openers Friday UAH will face Wayne State with Air Force meeting Robert Morris. Niagara will face the Air Force winner in one semifinal with the Beavers facing the UAH/Wayne State winner. The final will be held Sunday.
"I told the boys to get ready, I have a strong feeling we'll be playing these guys (UAH) again on neutral ground Saturday afternoon," Serratore said. "We'll enjoy these two wins while we can. But Monday, we'll start getting ready for the tournament."
UAH 0 0 0 - 0
BSU 0 3 2 - 5
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First Period - none. Penalties - Luke Erickson, BSU (hooking), 3:11. Dave Dterding, BSU (cross-checking), 6:20, Tyler Hilbert, UAH (slashing), 12:14
Second Period - 1, BSU, Ryan Huddy (Riley Weselowki, Tyler Scofield), 3:39 (pp). 2, BSU, Ryan Miller (Erickson, Matt Pope), 5:54 (pp). 3, BSU, Rob Sirianni (Miller, Scofield), 8:26. Penalties - Matt Sweazey, UAH (hooking), 2:43, Hilbert, UAH (roughing), 4:31, Riley Weselowski, BSU (high-sticking), 6:14, Steve Canter, UAH (elbowing), 7:32, Bruce Muilherin, UAH (charging), 8:49, Erickson, BSU (hooking), 11:53, Brett McConnachie, UAH (elbowing-contact to the head), 12:27, Canter, UAH (contact with the goalie), 12:56, Nathan Schwartzbauer, BSU (elbowing-contact to the head), 16:05, Miller BSU (hooking), 16:53
Third Period - 4, BSU, Sirianni (Gervais, Martens), 3:02 (pp). 5, BSU, Erickson (Weselowski, Scofield), 17:45 (pp). Penalties - Salekin, UAH (hooking), 1:02, Jeff Winchester, UAH (charging), 9:08, Pope, BSU (interference), 10:24, Bostock, BSU (roughing), 14:44, Josh Murray, UAH (roughing), 15:19, McConnachie, UAH (interference), 15:45, Scott Kaqlinchuk, UAH (roughing), 17:01, Allen, UAH (hooking), 19:22
Shots - UAH 10-10-6 26, BSU 10-14-14 38
Saves - UAH-Scott Munroe (33-38), BSU-Layne Sedevie (26-26)
Power Play - UAH 0 of 8, BSU 5 of 13
Referee - Bill Mason. Assistant referees - Andy Carton, Greg Eslinger
A - 1630
