January 8, 2008

BEMIDJI, Minn. - After a brief absence, the Bemidji State University men's ice hockey team is back in the national spotlight appearing in both the USCHO.com/CSTV and Inside College Hockey Power Rankings view of the top NCAA Division I programs.

A 2-0 shutout victory to earn a series split with a University of Minnesota Duluth squad that entered the game tied for 16th propelled the Beavers into a tie for what would be the No. 29 spot, if the current poll was extended beyond the standard 20 places, garnering seven points as one of the "others receiving votes."

The Beavers make their sixth sighting in the poll this season and sit along side College Hockey America members Niagara (7pts) and Robert Morris (1pt) as teams on the fringe of the top 20.

The Beavers remain as a team on the bubble in the INCH Power Rankings for the fourth straight week standing as the CHA's lone representative.

The USCHO.com/CSTV Networks Poll consists of 50 voters, including 28 coaches from the Division I conferences and 22 beat writers and sports professionals from across the country. The poll, published weekly by the Associated Press, is a joint production of USCHO.com, which provides in-depth coverage of college sports, including hockey, lacrosse, soccer and others, and CSTV Networks, Inc., the only digital media company dedicated solely to college sports. CSTV operates a 24-hour college sports cable network, also available via DISH and DirecTV satellite as well as CSTV.com, ranked in the Top 10 leading sports Web sites.

The INCH poll is a ranking of the nation's top men's ice hockey teams as seen by the Web site's editors and staff.

Bemidji State, 9-9-2 overall and 6-2-2 in CHA play, turns its focus back to league play this weekend when it travels to the Von Braun Center for a two-game set with the University of Alabama-Huntsville. The opening faceoff Friday is set for 5:30 p.m. while Saturday's series finale will take place at 4 p.m. CST.

--bsu--