BSU coach Tom Serratore worried more about playing well, not unbeaten streak

Q & A with Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore:

Q. Can you keep the unbeaten streak going?

A. "Obviously it will be tough to keep it going. We have played very well, but we dodged a few bullets, We scored with 10 seconds to go in a 3-3 tie with Northern Michigan and we won 2-1 over Alabama Huntsville in overtime. We probably should have lost both games."

Ben Kinne's late goal tied the Northern Michigan game. The Beavers actually won 2-1 in overtime twice, on back to back nights, against Alabama Huntsville. But in the first game, BSU was outshot 30-22. That's probably the Blazers game Serratore thought could have been a loss.

"It's tough over the long haul to keep winning," Serratore said. "We are more concerned about playing hard, well and smart. We have been getting very good goaltending."

Q. You have known Don Lucia for a long time, didn't he recruit you when you were playing for Greenway of Coleraine?

A. "I remember like it was yesterday. It was the noon hour and he came to our house in Coleraine. He was the coach of Alaska Fairbanks. I was home for lunch. He met with me and my dad was there for half an hour.

(Tom Serratore signed with Minnesota State Mankato, then later transferred to Bemidji State.)

Q. Why not sign with Lucia?

A. "An Iron Ranger in Fairbanks? I was 18 years old."

Q. Does a series like this against the Gophers prepare your team for the WCHA?

A. "It's not about the WCHA, it's about this season. This series prepares us for well for the CHA season. We need to play teams like this is we cane to make the NCAA [tournament]. It's also in a hostile environment which is a great experience for the kids.

Q. Has the Frozen Four run of last season and your acceptance into the WCHA helped in recruiting?

A. "When we call kids, they are a lot more receptive on the other end. It's still difficult. There are a lot of quality programs competing for players."

Q. How is construction going on the Bemidji Regional Events Center, home of your new rink next season?

A. "It is almost fully enclosed so they can work on the inside. Everybody, the players, the community and the alumni and a lot of the region are excited about it. We end [the WCHA regular season] against the Gophers in Bemidji and open with North Dakota. Welcome to the WCHA."

Q. How do you match up with the Gophers?

"The kids we get, typically you can't tell how good they will be until their junior year. We do not get a lot of freshmen who can create an immediate impact. We rely on veterans."

Unless circumstances dictate otherwise. Goalie Matt Dalton signed a pro contract this year with the Boston Bruins after his sophomore season. Dan Bakala, a sophomore, has stepped in.

"[Bakala] has played in two exhibition games. he was very inexperienced. We did not have one goalie who had played. But Dan has passed the test so far. But [the Gophers] are a different animal. I hope we are up for the task."

Q. Has the success of last year carried over and helped the team this season?