Jan. 31, 2009

[box score]

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (RMU Island Sport Center) -- With its second-leading scorer out due to injury and a key senior sent to the locker room in the opening minutes of the game, the Bemidji State University men’s ice hockey team tapped some untraditional scoring sources tonight as the Beavers defeated Robert Morris University at the RMU Island Sports Center, 5-1, to secure its first College Hockey America series sweep of the season.

In all, BSU had ten players in the scoring column, while four registered multi-point efforts led by a career night from defenseman Graham McManamin (Jr., Anchorage, Alaska).

Prior to the contest BSU head coach Tom Serratore commented that scoring first and winning special teams battles would be key to getting a win. The Beavers weren’t first on the scoreboard, but made up for it with four power-play goals to secure a big road win and their first series sweep over the Colonials on their home ice since Feb. 11-12, 2005.

“I think we showed some resiliency tonight,” said Serratore. “I really can’t stress how proud I am of our guys. This weekend was a good step for us.” The eighth-year head coach added, “Now hopefully we can carry this over to next weekend.”

As convincing as the outcome was for BSU, the opening minutes looked glum for the visitors. Just one-minute and 50-seconds in, senior forward Brandon Marino (Riverside, Calif.) was whistled for a five-minute major and game misconduct for checking from behind and was escorted to the locker rooms leaving the Beavers with a short bench for the remainder of the game. One-minute, 31-seconds later, Travis Winter (Sr., C, St. Cloud, Minn.) was sent to the box setting up a two-minute five-on-three. The Colonials would need just 61-seconds to score and take a 1-0 lead.

The goal would be a flash of what was to come in the 15:48 remaining in the period. The teams combined for four power-play goals, including a pair of five-on-three markers.

Bemidji State would get the break it needed at the 10:14 mark as Brad Hunt (Fr., D, Ridge Meadows British Columbia) netted a five-on-three to even the score at 1-1. Chris Peluso (Jr., D, Wadena, Minn.) and Emil Billberg (So., F, Stockholm, Sweden) were credited with assists on the goal.

Less than three minutes later, McManamin potted his second goal in as many nights, posting the first point of his first career three-point game on the power play with help from Cody Bostock (Sr., D, Salmon Arm, British Columbia) and Ian Lowe (So., F, Bradwardine, Manitoba). The goal would stand as the game winner--the first of the junior’s career.

Jamie MacQueen (Fr., F, London, Ontario) gave the Beavers a two-goal cushion with a power-play goal with 2:13 to go in the period on passes from Peluso and McManamin.

The Beavers finished the frame with a up 3-1 after out shooting RMU 14-4, including nine shots on goal scoring on three of the team’s four power-play opportunities.

After four goals and 25 minutes worth of penalties during the first 20 minutes of play, the Beavers and Colonials skated through the second stanza with the score locked at 3-1.

The games only even-strength goal came midway through the third period and put BSU up 4-1. Shea Walters (Fr., F, Hibbing, Minn.) accounted for the goal, netting his fourth lamplighter of the season with help from fellow freshman Ben Kinne (F, St. Paul, Minn.) and Bostock.

Winter closed the book on the BSU scoring with his fifth goal of the season at the 14:33 mark of the third. MacQueen and McManamin each recorded assists on the play. In addition to McManamin’s career night, MacQueen turned in a goal and an assist for his first collegiate multi-point game.

Of the Beavers’ five goals, two were scored by defensemen, while the blueline corps accounted for a season-high eight points.

The Bemidji State power-play unit scored four goals on seven opportunities (.571) extending its streak of games with a goal on the man advantage to seven games. The four-goal performance also marked the eighth time since the team moved to NCAA Division I ranks it has scored four goals or more on the power-play in a single game and the first since Mar. 10, 2007.

The Beavers out shot RMU 37-24 in the game. Wes Russell and Brooks Ostergard combined for 32 saves, while Russell was tagged with the loss and after allowing three BSU goals in 20 minutes of play. He fell to 5-12-3 on the season.

BSU’s Matt Dalton (So., G, Clinton, Ontario) turned away 23 shots earning the win and improving to 11-8-0 on the season.

Bemidji State returns home next weekend to host longtime foe University of Alabama-Huntsville. The College Hockey America series will open with a 7:35 p.m. contest Friday and wrap up Saturday with a 7:05 p.m. start at the John S. Glas Fieldhouse.

--bsu--