Feb. 19, 2009

[box score]

LEWISTON, N.Y. (Dwyer Arena) -- The Bemidji State University men's ice hockey team dominated three periods of play Thursday at Dwyer Arena and came away with a convincing 3-1 College Hockey America victory over Niagara University to show for it.

Two second period goals was all the Beaver needed to earn two points in the conference standings stretching its lead over the Purple Eagles to four points.

Vince Rocco put BSU in a 1-0 hole early taking advantage of Niagara's second power-play opportunity during the first five minutes of play.

Down 1-0 after the first frame, the Beavers piled up 13 shots on goal in the second and saw Brandon Marino (Sr., F, Riverside, Calif.) and Tyler Scofield (Sr., Prince George, British Columbia) find the back of the net.

The Beavers got on the board 9:32 into the second period with Marino's five goal of the season. Chris McKelvie (Jr., F, New Brighton, Minn.) got the play started from behind the net when he found Ian Lowe (So., F, Bradwardine, Manitoba) between the circles. When NU's goaltender Juliano Pagliero couldn't corral the rebound off the Lowe shot, Marino was there to tuck it between the pipes.

Just over two minutes later (12:00), Scofield would put BSU up 2-1 when he one-timed a rolling puck pass from Matt Read (So., F, Ilderton, Ontario) for his team-leading 13th marker of 2008-09.

BSU took the one-goal lead into the dressing rooms after 40 minutes of play and would not look back as Matt Dalton (So., G, Clinton, Ontario) stood in front of 27 Niagara scoring attempts, which included 11 in the third period alone, and allowed just one goal to improve to 14-9-1 on the season.

Despite being out shot 11-5 during the final 20 minutes, BSU not only held off the NU charge to take the first half of the series and hold on to its lead in the CHA standings, Tyler Lehrke (Jr., F, Park Rapids, Minn.) added an insurance goal a the 11:12 mark of the third beating Pagliero stick side.

A Bemidji State penalty-kill unit that has been as stingy as any in the country over the last eight games, held off five of the Purple Eagles' six chances in the game. Since Jan. 24, the Beavers have killed 43 of its opponents' 47 power-play opportunities (.915). The Beavers also found the net on the power-play, going 1-for five.

The Purple Eagles still own a 20-16-8 mark in the all-time series, but since Oct. 27, 2006, BSU holds a 5-4-4 edge.

The Beavers and Purple Eagles will be back in action tomorrow a BSU attempts to sweep the series, earn an edge in the season series and keep a lock on first place in the CHA standings. The puck is set to drop at 6:05 p.m. CST at Dwyer Arena.

--bsu--