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Roman Augustoviz spends Minnesota's winters covering college hockey, specifically the Gophers, and other University of Minnesota sports. During the summer, he writes about the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx, with a dose of U sports sprinkled in. Follow him on Twitter @RomanStrib.
Posts about Bemidji State
Serratore won 200th game as Bemidji St. kept DU in tailspin
Posted by: Roman Augustoviz Updated: December 16, 2012 - 11:27 PM
He had to wait a while, but Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore finally got his 200th career victory on Saturday.
The Beavers gave it to him with a big 5-1 upset of No. 10-rated Denver at the Sanford Center in Bemidji. The crowd was 3,268.
Junior forward Jeff Jubinville of Edmonton, Alberta scored two goals for BSU. And the Beavers won the special teams battle, going 2-for-4 on the power play while its penalty killers held the Pioneers 0-for-5 on their power play.
Five goals for Bemidji State tied a season high.
L.inemates Brance Orban, a senior from Lethbridge, Alberta, and David Boehm, a senior from Naples, Fla., each had a goal and two assists for Bemidji State. Junior forward Radoslav Illo of Bytrica, Slovakia, had two assists
Sophomore goalie Andrew Walsh of Dawson Creek, British Columbia, had 24 saves for the home team.
BSU led 5-0 when Denver's Nick Shore scored with 11 seconds left in the second. It was his seventh goal of the season, but first since Nov. 23 versus Yale.
The Pioneers still lead their all-time series with Bemidji State 11-2-1, but the Beavers are 2-2-1 in the last five matchups. The two teams had a 1-1 tie on Friday after a scoreless overtime.
Bemidji State (5-8-3, 4-7-3 WCHA) is off now until Dec. 30-31 when it travels to Hanover, N.H. to play in the Ledyard National Bank Classic. The Beavers’ first opponent will be Massachusetts at 3 p.m. Sunday. The next day, they will play either Dartmouth or New Hampshire.
DU WINLESS IN LAST EIGHT
Denver (9-6-3, 7-4-3) is winless in eight consecutive games, dating back to a 2-1 loss vs. Yale on Nov. 23.
The Pioneers are 0-5-3 over the stretch.
Denver goaltender Adam Murray, making his first start since Oct. 27 because of an injury, finished with 25 saves.
Bemidji State outshot Denver 30-25, including 26-17 over the first and second periods.
The Pioneers are off now until Saturday, Dec. 29 when they face Boston University at Magness Arena in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game.
Beavers sign four forwards, goalie -- two from Minnesota
Posted by: Roman Augustoviz Updated: November 16, 2012 - 12:51 PMBemidji State has signed five hockey players to national letters of intent during the week-long early signing period which began Wednesday. They are:
* Michael Bitzer of Moorhead, Minn.
* Brendan Harms of Steinbach, Manitoba
* Bob Kinne of St. Paul
* Phillip Marinaccio of Vaughan, Ontario
* Charlie O’Connor of Elk Village, Ill.
“This year’s early signing class is forward-heavy, but we think we are bringing in a very good mixture of skill, speed and competitiveness,” said Ted Belisle, the Beavers assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, according to a BSU news release. “These players have all proven they can put up good numbers in junior hockey, but if there is one thing that stands out about this class, it is that these players have good hockey sense.”
Their short bios:
Goalie Michael Bitzer, 5-10, 201, age 19. ... In first season with Lincoln Stars of USHL, 3-0-0 with a 1.33 goals against average and a .956 save percentage. Bitzer has stopped at least 28 shots in every game. ... He was 22-8-0 and a 2.30 goals against average at Moorhead H.S. last season and led the Spuds to Class 2A state tournament. ... Won Frank Brimsek Award, given to state's best senior goalie.
Said Belisle, “We really like Bitzer’s history and we like the fact that he’s adjusted well into junior hockey. He is athletic and tracks the puck very well. We are very happy to have him be a part of our program.”
Forward Brendan Harms, 5-11, 169, age 18. ... First-year forward with the USHL’s Fargo Force. Leads the team with 23 points (5g-18a) in 15 games. ... Second in USHL in scoring. Harms has scored in 11 of the Forces’ 15 games, which includes three different three-point efforts. ... Spent two previous seasons with the Portage Terriers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL). In 101 games for the Terriers, Harms hadd 50 goals and 70 assists for 120 points.
Said Belisle, “Brendan is a very exciting prospect for us. For a young player, he is already a veteran in junior hockey, this being his third year. One thing with Brendan Harms, is that he always puts up numbers. He has played on some very successful teams in juniors. He has played in two Royal Bank Cups in Canada and so far this season in the USHL, he’s had a tremendous amount of success due to his feel for the game.”
Forward Bob Kinne, 5-11, 175, age 20. ... In his first year with Bismarck Bobcats of the North American Hockey League. Has seven points (3g-4a) after 18 games and is fifth on the team in scoring. ... Kinne, the younger brother of current BSU captain Ben Kinne, played for the Lincoln Stars of the USHL last season. In 39 games, he had six goals and two assists for eight points. ... Had 95 points (42g-53a) in 54 games at Cretin-Derham Hal in high school careerl. As a senior in 2010-11, he led the Raiders to a 14-9-4 record and a trip to the section playoffs with a team-leading 53 points (22g-31a).
Belisle said, “We’re excited about Bob’s talent set and his speed. Because of the pace he plays at, we think he is going to be a very effective player for us.”
Forward Phillip Marinaccio, 5-10, 182, age 19. ... Four-year veteran of junior hockey. In second season with USHL’s Chicago Steel. In 12 games played, Marinaccio has nine points (6g-3a), which includes two game-winning goals. ...In two seasons with Chicago, he has 47 points (16g-31a). ... Also played for the Villanova Knights (2010-11) and the Vaughan Vipers (2009-10) of the Ontario Junior Hockey League.
Said Belisle, “Phil Marinaccio is an offensive player with a very good ability to read and make plays. His feel for the game is tremendous. He has an exciting factor to him when he has the puck. At any moment, he can make a play to create offense from anywhere on the ice.”
Forward Charlie O’Connor, 6-0, 177, age 19. ... In his second season with Chicago Steel, teammate of Marinaccio, O’Connor has two points (1g-1a) in six games this season. ... Last season had 10 goals and 19 assists for 29 points. ... Also played three seasons with Lake Forest Academy of the Midwest Prep Hockey League, where he recorded 96 points (39g-57a) in 38 games.
Said Belisle, “He’s got a tremendous amount of depth to his game as a forward. He can chip in offensively, he’s a very good fore-checker and he’s played in all situations in junior hockey. He’s just one of those glue guys that you love to have on the roster.”
WCHA roundup: Polls split on who is No. 1 team in college hockey, U or BC
Posted by: Roman Augustoviz Updated: October 8, 2012 - 1:08 PMThe Gophers are No. 1 in the USA Today poll after being tied with Boston College for the top spot last week.
None of the top 15 teams have played a game yet, so at least two voters must have changed their minds. Minnesota had only 12 first-place votes last week. Now the Gophers have 14 while the number of first-pace votes for BC fell from 20 to 19 and for Michigan from two to one.
Boston College, the defending NCAA champion is still No. 1 along in the USCHO.com poll.
Union, a Frozen Four team last April, is the only team in the top 15 in the ratings that has played a game. The Dutchmen lost to Merrimack 4-1.
USA Today
Rank School Last Week's Ranking
1 University of Minnesota, 483 (14) 1
2 Boston College, 482 (19) 1
3 University of Michigan, 429 (1) 3
4 University of North Dakota, 406 4
5 Cornell University, 284 6
6 UMass-Lowell, 263 7
7 Western Michigan University, 250 11
8 Miami University, 234 9
9 Union College, 227 5
10 University of Denver, 200 8
11 Ferris State University, 176 14
12 Minnesota Duluth,140 12
13 Notre Dame, 136 10
14 Boston University, 119 13
15 Wisconsin, 63 15
USCHO.com
1 Boston College (37) 978 1
2 Minnesota (12) 948 2
3 Michigan ( 1) 871 3
4 North Dakota 837 4
5 Cornell 704 6
6 Mass-Lowell 680 7
7 Denver 624 8
8 Miami 588 9
9 Western Michigan 584 10
10 Union 0- 1-0 581 5
11 Ferris State 466 11
12 Boston University 429 13
13 Minnesota-Duluth 404 12
14 Notre Dame 400 14
15 Wisconsin 242 18
16 Michigan State 222 16
17 Harvard 179 17
18 Quinnipiac 1- 0-0 126 NR
19 Merrimack 1- 0-0 120 NR
20 Maine 0- 1-0 102 15
MAVERICKS ROLL
Minnesota State Mankato handled th University of Lethbridge on Sunday night about as easily as the Gophers the night before.
The Mavericks routed the Pronghorns 7-1. Freshman Bryce Gervais had two goals for the home team at the Verizon Wireless Center. Lethbridge scored first but Gervais' first goal made it 1-1 after the opening period.
Senior Eriah Hayes, freshman Dylan Margonari and sophomore Leitner made it 4-1 Mavericks after two periods.
“It was nice to see them build on a lead,” MSU coach Mike Hastings said. “I thought they would come out quick in the period.”
The Mavericks outshot Lethbridge 29-1 in the period and got three more goals.Junior Johnny McInnis, Gervais and senior Evan Mosey scored.
“Bryce is just a pure goal scorer,” said Leitner, who had a goal and three assists. “He has an ability to put the puck in the net.”
“Leitner is an easy guy to play with,” Gervais said. “He’ll always find the open guy.”
Said Hastings, the former Gophers assistant coach, “We got a long way to go. I like how we played for 60 minutes, but we have a lot of work we need to do between now and Friday."
The Mavericks play at Alabama-Huntsville Friday and Saturday.
* The Gophers beat the Pronghorns 7-0 last Saturday.
BEAVERS TIE
Senior Mathieu Dugas (L'Assomption, Quebec) played the first 30 minutes and 28 seconds in goal and stopped all 11 shots he faced. Freshman Fabian Sivnert (Holviken, Sweden) finished and gave up three goals on 14 shots.
The Beavers were out shot 28-26. Each team was 0-for-4 on the power play.
The Beavers play the U.S. Under-18 Team in another exhibition game Saturday at 7:07 p.m., then host Lake Superior State University to open the regular season on Oct. 19 and 20.
U WOMEN STILL NO. 1
The Gophers women's hockey team (4-0-0) remains No. 1 in USCHO.com's national ratings. It receiced all 15 first-place votes.
Other WCHA teams in the top 10 are Wisconsin at No. 4, North Dakota at No. 6 and Ohio State at No. 10.
Bemidji State signs five players
Posted by: Roman Augustoviz Updated: April 19, 2012 - 1:16 AMBemidji State has signed five hockey players for next season. And the Beavers spread a wide recruiting net, getting players from as far away as California and Sweden.
They five are:
* Markus Gerbrandt of Edmonton, Alberta. The 5-11, 175-pound forward had 40 goals and 86 points for Fort McMurray of the Alberta Junior Hockey League. He has played three seasons of junior hockey.
* James Hansen of Maple Grove. The 6-1, 210-pound defenseman had three goals and 14 points in 60 games with Waterloo of the USHL.
“We are excited about the strength, size and mobility James possesses,” Beavers assistant coach Ted Belisle said. “He will add several dynamics to our defensive corps moving forward. He has great legs, he can eat up minutes and is a very good defender.”
* Brad Robbins of Murrieta, Calif. The 5-8, 165-pound forward led Sioux City in scoring with 25 goals and 49 points. He had 11 power-play goals.
* Fabian Sivnert of Höllviken, Sweden. The 5-11, 185-pound goale was 18-9-2 for the Valley Jr. Warriors of the Eastern Junior Hockey League last season. He had a 2.53 goal-against average and a .926 save percentage, which ranked third and second, respectively, in the EJHL. He had ar leasst 30 saves in 17 gamea and was the league's goalie of the year.
* Cory Ward of Las Vegas. The 6-0, 200-pound forward led Aberdeen of the NAHL with 35 goals, nine on the power play.
“Cory is a very exciting young prospect for us,” Belisle said. “He is a big, thick, strong player that has an incredible shot and has always been able to score. In addition, he has a tremendous battle level and that competitive skill is something we are looking forward to.”
BSU signed defenseman Graeme McCormack of Thunder Bay, Ontario, last fall. He played for Nanaimo Clippers of the British Columbia Hockey League.
BSU's 2012-13 schedule
Date Opponent Time
Oct. 7 Manitoba, exhibition TBD
Oct. 19 Lake Superior State 7:37 p.m.
Oct. 20 Lake Superior State 7:07 p.m.
Oct. 26 @ Nebraska-Omaha 7:37 p.m.
Oct. 27 @ Nebraska-Omaha 7:07 p.m.
Nov. 9 @ Colorado College 8:37 p.m.
Nov. 10 @ Colorado College 8:07 p.m.
Nov. 16 Michigan Tech 7:37 p.m.
Nov. 17 Michigan Tech 7:07 p.m.
Nov. 23 Alaska-Anchorage 7:37 p.m.
Nov. 24 Alaska-Anchorage 7:07 p.m.
Nov. 30 @ Minnesota State 7:37 p.m.
Dec. 1 @ Minnesota State 7:07 p.m.
Dec. 7 @ Minnesota Duluth 7:07 p.m.
Dec. 8 @ Minnesota Duluth 7:07 p.m.
Dec. 14 Denver 7:37 p.m.
Dec. 15 Denver 7:07 p.m.
At Hanov er, NH.
Dec. 30 vs. UMass 3:00 p.m.
Dec. 31 vs. Dartmouth/New Hampshire 3:00/6:00 p.m.
Jan. 4 Western Michigan 7:37 p.m.
Jan. 5 Western Michigan 7:07 p.m.
Jan. 18 @ Michigan Tech 6:07 p.m.
Jan. 19 @ Michigan Tech 6:07 p.m.
Jan. 25 Nebraska-Omaha 7:37 p.m.
Jan. 26 Nebraska-Omaha 7:07 p.m.
Feb. 1 St. Cloud State 7:37 p.m.
Feb. 2 St. Cloud State 7:07 p.m.
Feb. 8 @ Wisconsin 7:07 p.m.
Feb. 9 @ Wisconsin 7:07 p.m.
Feb. 15 Minnesota Duluth 7:37 p.m.
Feb. 16 Minnesota Duluth 7:07 p.m.
March 1 @ North Dakota 7:37 p.m.
March 2 @ North Dakota 7:07 p.m.
March 8 Minnesota 7:37 p.m.
March 9 Minnesota 7:07 p.m.
Gophers coach says it's not time to worry, lot of hockey remains
Posted by: Roman Augustoviz Updated: February 15, 2012 - 7:55 PMGophers coach Don Lucia, those close to him say, is pretty astute when it comes to the PairWise ratings.
At this time of the season, those are the only important poll. The PairWise ratings, which compare teams in four statistical categories, mimic how the NCAA fills out its 16-team field for the national tournament.
The Gophers are No. 14 in the PairWise today. Almost on the bubble, but Lucia seems unruffled.
"It is so close with everybody right now," he said Wednesday during the Gophers weekly media day. "The system, we say it all the time, was meant to be looked at when the final game has been played. And there is a lot of hockey to be played. We all have six regular season games to go, we have playoffs to be had."
The Gophers play Bemidji State at home this weekend, then travel to Nebraska Omaha, and finish with another home series against Wisconsin.
"We are in a good position right now," Lucia said. "I like where we are in the league and even overall. We control our own destiny. ... As long as you win games, you don’t have to worry about it."
The Gophers next opponent is a hot Bemidji State team, coming off a sweep of Colorado College. "Everybody has tough games with them," Lucia said. "They have certainly one of the top goalies in the league [Dan Bakala]. They have very much a junior/senior team.
"They play pretty mistake-free hockey, and they make you beat them. They are not going to beat themselves. And that is why they are one of the most difficult teams to play in our league. We saw that last year. We had two great games with them [in Bemidji], both overtime games and I wouldn’t be surprised if that happened again this week."
BSU EXCITED FOR GOPHERS
Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore said his team is confident and excited going into the Gophers series.
"We have to adjust to the Olympic ice again," he said, "and the Gophers really know how to spread the rink out on that big sheet they have."
The rink at Mariucci Arena is 200 by 100 feet, of 15 feet wider than an NHL rink and most college rinks.
"But our guys are excited about it. It is always exciting playing the Minnesota Gophers."
The Beavers are 3-0-1 in their last four game and actually have been playing well since mid-November. "Our work ethic has been very good. We have been very tenacious. We have been strong on the puck and, when you are strong on the puck, there are going to be opportunities for offense. ... And they have converted.
"We are doing some good things right now and the guys are playing with confidence."
Especially playing well is senior goalie Dan Bakala.
"It is key that he plays this well at this time of the year," Serratore said. "It is crunch time right now. The stretch run. He stood tall [last] weekend. He was one of our best players and played like the vet he is."
CURSED CUP?
Based on the past 20 or so WCHA seasons, team should not covet the MacNaughton Cup too much. It seems to be cursed.
The last team to win an outright regular-season WCHA title and go on to win the NCAA title in the Frozen Four was Wisconsin in 1990.
Since then, there have been two WCHA co-champions to win the big prize: North Dakota in 1997 and Denver in 2005.
Bottom line is that, in the 21 years since 1991, only three teams who won or shared the MacNaughton Cup celebrated a national title the same year.
THE DON SAYS
* On the one-game suspension to Kyle Rau for his hit on Denver's Jason Zucker: "Ultimately, we have to make sure we protect the players. And Kyle understands that and our whole team does. it is something we talk about and review after, whether it is a check from behind or a major penalty."
Lucia said Rau got a suspension for several reasons: "The lateness of the hit. The distance traveled. They felt the hands came up into the head and [Zucker] got launched into the boards. it wasn’t any one thing, but it was a combination of all four."
* On 4-3 overtime loss to Denver on Saturday: "I thought the guys played really well on Saturday night. That is why it becomes so disappointing. You are a minute and half away from having a good weekend and then we gave up the [tying] goal and gave up the overtime goal. So you go from having a good weekend, splitting at Denver, to not getting any points."
* On whether the team's stars need to play better in the stretch: "You need everybody to step up. Like any team, you need your goaltender to play well at this time of the year. You need your top-end guys to score on a regular basis and then you need your secondary scoring to come through."
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