Jan. 17, 2009
[box score]
DULUTH, Minn. (Duluth Entertainment Convention Center) -- University of Minnesota Duluth got two first period goals from MacGregor Sharpe and the favor of some strange bounces as the team held off a third-period charge by Bemidji State University for a 4-2 victory. The Bulldogs gain possession of the coveted Babe the Blue Ox traveling trophy for the first time since Feb. 26, 2005 as it completed the first series sweep over BSU since the same season.
The loss for the 8-12-0 Beavers marks the fifth strait for the green and white--the teams longest streak since a five-game strand Oct. 19- Nov. 2, 2007.
After a hard fought, evenly-matched first period, Minnesota Duluth took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission after benefiting from a strange bounce off the boards and sneaking a power-play foal past BSU goaltender Orlando Alamano (Sr., Fresno, Calif.).
The Bulldogs got on the board at the 11:11 mark of the period when a pass off the stick of Cody Bostock (Sr., D, Salmon Arm, British Columbia) and was intend to wrap around the boards behind the net for his defensive partner bounced off the boards directly behind the net and onto the stick of Nick Kemp. Kemp found Sharp in the slot for a quick strike.
UMD would build its lead to two goals, 2-0, just over eight minutes later (17:21) when Sharp lit the lamp for the second time when he found Alamano's five hole just 52 seconds into a power-play after Chris McKelvie (Jr., F, New Brighton, Minn.) was sent to the box for tripping.
Minnesota Duluth stretched its lead to three, 3-0, midway through the second period when Justin Fontaine recorded an even-strength goal with help from Jordan Fulton and Scott Kishel.
Down, 3-0, the never-say-die Beavers cranked up the intensity for the final 20 minutes in a valiant run at nipping the Bulldogs.
Three-minutes and nine-seconds into the frame, the Beavers would get the boost they needed to get momentum rolling in their direction. With Sharp already serving time in the box for boarding, UMD's Mike Mongomery was whistled for the same infraction setting up a 1:43, 5-on-3 opportunity. Brad Hunt (Fr., D, Ridge Meadows, British Columbia) made the Bulldogs pay 61-seocnds later netting his fifth goal of the season as Matt Read (So., C, Ilderton, Ontario) added to his team-leading assists total (13) helping on the play.
The Beavers got another spark at the 12:07 mark when Shea Walters (Fr., F, Hibbing, Minn.) funneled the puck towards the net and Ian Lowe (So., F, Bradwardine, Manitoba) deflected it just below the cross bar to bring the Beavers to within a goal of the hosts, 3-2. The goal stands as the first of 2008-09 for Lowe.
Despite continued pressure to keep the Bulldogs on their heels, the BSU rally would end there. Mike Connolly would pot an even-strength goal with 1:39 to go to put the game out of reach for the Beavers.
Just 24 hours removed from recording a total of 15 shots on the UMD defense, the Beavers peppered the Bulldog goaltender with 25 shots, which included 10 in the final period alone. UMD finished the contest with a slight edge on the shot board, 29-25.
In his fifth start of the season, Alamano turned away 25 UMD shot attempts, while allowing four goals. The senior falls to 0-5-0 on the season.
On the other end of the, Brady Hjelle, who made the first start of his collegiate career, collected 23 saves in 59:55 of play to garner the first win of his career (1-0-0).
The Beavers (8-12-0; 4-2-0 CHA) returns to the John Glas Fieldhouse to host Niagara University (9-9-1; 3-1-1 CHA) in the Beavers' first conference play since a Dec. 5-6 series versus University of Ala.-Huntsville. The series is set to begin Friday with a 7:35 p.m. opening face off and will conclude with a 7:05 start Saturday.
--bsu-- |
