BSU can't hold off Chargers, lose 4-3

The old saying goers it's difficult to beat a team three times in the regular season. Well, how about five?

The Bemidji State men's hockey team was unable to do that against arch rival Alabama-Huntsville Saturday night, falling 4-3 at The Glas.

It was a tough loss for BSU who held a 3-1 lead in the second period and a 3-2 edge going into the third. It was one of those games where the Beavers looked to be in control most of the way and suddenly the Chargers were ahead.

"This was a tough, tough loss," said BSU head coach Tom Serratore. "It could have cost us a championship."

A pair of UAH unanswered third-period goals were the difference. Dominick Rozman scored at 7:51 of the period to tie things up. Then Brett McConnachie scored off a fine individual effort with just over seven minutes left in what turned out to be the game winner.

"Are you kidding me?" Serratore said. "You don't lose a third period lead like that at home. And it's certainly not something you want to do this late in the season."

The Beavers had a much better first period Saturday, ripping 16 shots at UAH goalie Blake MacNichol and taking a 1-0 lead.

Junior Blaine scored a power play goal at 16:27 as the Beavers were skating with a 5 on 3 advantage. Jarvis got a pass from linemate Rob Sirianni and ultimately scored on a rebound off his own shot. Jarvis took some good natured ribbing Friday night after failing to score following three excellent chances.

On this night, though, Jarvis went to the net, stuck with the play and connected on his 10th goal of the year.

UAH was plagued by penalties in the period, getting whistled for four consecutive minors. That contributed to the big shot advantage for the Beavers in the period.

The second period was wild. Four goals, six penalties (the first four on BSU, not that there is anything such as make up calls in college hockey), stellar goaltending and the most exciting play in hockey - the penalty shot.

Through it all the Beavers forged a 3-2 lead.

UAH scored just over two minutes into the period as Steve Canter tipped in a pass from Joe Federoff.

The Beavers regained the lead as sophomore Tyler Scofield scored on a penalty shot while the Beavers were shorthanded. Scofield was hauled down from behind as broke in on MacNichol and the penalty shot was called. Scofield made it look easy, crossing to the backhand at the crease and calmly sliding the puck past MacNichol five hole.

BSU sophomore Travis Winter made it 3-1 when he scored unassisted while the Beavers were shorthanded again. Winter picked up a UAH turnover at the near circle and flew in on MacNichol alone. A slick move resulted in a top shelf backhander and a two goal lead for the Beavers.

After that, however, the glory belonged to Huntsville.

Scott Kalinchuk scored on a weird goal with just over six minutes left in the second. His blast from the blue line appeared to deflect off the body of another UAH player, but Kalinchuk was given credit for the goal.

BSU goalie Matt Climie was severely tested in the second period as UAH woke up after sleep walking through the first period. The Chargers, aided by the BSU penalties, had 18 shots in the period. Climie came up huge at least two times, once during an UAH 5 on 3 advantage, robbing Canter from point blank range.

The third period was all UAH, unfortunately for the Beavers.

BSU had some excellent opportunities in the third, getting on the power play three times. The last came as the Chargers were called for a minor with just 1:34 remaining. The Beavers pulled Climie for a 6 on 4 advantage, but just couldn't connect.

"I'm not very happy right now," Serratore said. "That's about all I have to say."

MacNichol, a freshman, turned in a fine effort and got the win for UAH in goal, stopping 37 BSU shots. Climie got the loss, ending with 27 saves.

The loss dropped the Beavers to 14-12-4 and 9-4-4 in the CHA. Huntsville improved to 9-19-2, 6-11-1 CHA.

BSU returns to action Friday, heading to Detroit to play Wayne State in the CHA regular season finale for the Beavers.

UAH 0 2 2 - 4

BSU 1 2 0 - 3

First Period - 1, BSU, Blaine Jarvis (Rob Sirianni, John Vadnais), 16:27 (pp). Penalties - Matt Pope, BSU (checking from behind), :28, Brett McConnachie, UAH (checking from behind), 8:01, Josh Murray, UAH (cross-checking), 10:51, Matt Sweazey, UAH (interference), 14:34, Mike Salekin, UAH (slashing), 16:02

Second Period - 2, UAH, Steve Canter (Joe Federoff. David Nimmo), 2:03 (pp). 3, BSU, Tyler Scofield (unassisted), 8:40 (sh). 4, BSU, Travis Winter (unassisted), 10:40 (sh). 5, UAH, Scott Kainchuk (Canter, Brandon Rosko), 13:16. .Penalties - John Vadnais, BSU (slashing), :18, Brandon Marino, BSU (ob-holding), 8:31, Cody Bostock, BSU (slashing), 9:11, Vadnais, BSU (cross-checking), 11:03, Tyler Hilbert, UAH (ob-holding), 14:57, Bench, UAH (too many men on the ice-served by Tom Train), 17:49

Third Period - 6, UAH, Dominik Rozman (Selinger), 7:51. 7, McConnachie (Shaun Arvai), 12:57. Penalties - Federoff, UAH (ob-interference), 1:33, Nimmo, UAH (tripping), 5:55, Joey Moggach, BSU (slashing), 5:55, McConnachie, UAH (cross-checking), 8:01, Nimmo, UAH (cross-checking), 16:22, Jake Bluhm, BSU (cross-checking), 15:49, Josh Murray, UAH (hooking), 18:26

Shots - UAH 4-18-9 31, BSU 16-8-16 40. Saves - UAH-Blake MacNichol (40 shots-37), BSU-Matt Climie (31 shots-27 saves). Power Play - UAH 1 of 6, BSU 1 of 10. Referee - Brad Albers, assistant referees - Brad Shepard, Jared Moen. A - 1766.