Jan. 30, 2009

[box score]

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (RMU Island Sport Center) -- Matt Read (So., F, Ilderton, Ontario) recorded a goal and two assists to lead the Bemidji State University men’s ice hockey team to a 5-3 victory over Robert Morris University Friday at RMU Island Sports Center.

The Beavers opened a two-goal lead early and fought off a pair of RMU comeback attempts scoring a season-high five goals to gain an important College Hockey America road win.

Matt Francis (Sr., F, Surrey, British Columbia) opened the scoring for Bemidji State netting his seventh goal of the season just 2:59 after the opening face off. Chris Peluso (Jr., D, Wadena, Minn.) and Read were credited with assists as Francis found a opening between the pads of Jim Patterson, the first of three Colonial goaltenders to see time in the game.

Ten-minutes later, the Beavers went up 2-0 when Graham McManamin (Jr., D, Anchorage, Alaska) netted his second goal of 2008-09 slipping the puck into the back of the RMU bench from a scrum in front of the crease net and sending Patterson the bench.

But the Colonials showed that no lead is safe in collegiate hockey.

Robert Morris scored twice in the final two minutes of the period to knot the score at 2-2. Jason Towsley netted and even-strength marker at 18:06 and RMU’s leading scorer Chris Margott scored 29 seconds later to send the Beavers into the intermission with their tails between their legs.

Despite having the momentum stolen in the closing minutes of the first, BSU responded with the first of two power-play goals on the night just 1:20 into the second frame. Bemidji State freshman defender and reigning CHA Defensive Player of the Week Brad Hunt (Ridge Meadows, British Columbia) put the Beavers back in front with his six goal of the season on a pass from Shea Walters (Fr., F, Hibbing, Minn.).

Two-minutes later (3:26), the Colonials would again come charging back taking advantage of their second power-play opportunity of the game to tie the game at 3-3.

As the second period wound down the Beavers began to enforce their style of hard-nosed hockey and took control of the game for good. Brandon Marino (Sr., F, Riverside, Calif.) netted what would stand as his team-leading third game-wining goal of the season on the power-play. The goal came at the 9:19 mark of the stanza with help from Cody Bostock (Sr., D, Salmon Arm, British Columbia).

The final 30 minutes belonged to BSU goaltender Matt Dalton (Clinton, Ontario). The sophomore piled up nearly 25 saves, including 12 in the third period alone, shutting the Colonial offensive attack down to secure the win for BSU. Read added a third-period goal for good measure as the Beavers took a 5-3 victory.

Dalton acquired his 10th (10-8-0) win of the season with 25 saves, while the trio of Colonial goaltenders combined for 24. Wes Russell was tagged with the loss allowing three BSU goals while making 12 saves in 30:32 between the pipes. He falls to 5-11-3 on the season.

Each team finished with 28 shots on goal.

The Bemidji State power-play scored on two of its four opportunities marking the sixth consecutive game with a power-play goal. The Beavers’ penalty-kill unit stopped three of the Colonials power-play chances.

The Beavers (10-13-0; 6-3-0 CHA) and Colonials (5-14-4; 1-4-2 CHA) are back at it tomorrow as they wrap up the CHA series. The puck is set to drop at 6:35 p.m. CST at RMU’s Island Sports Arena.

--bsu--