Nov. 9, 2002
Beavers tie school record with fifth tie of the season

FINDLAY, Ohio - [stats] For the sixth time in eight starts this season, the Bemidji State men’s hockey team needed overtime to decide a contest, and for the fifth time no decision was reached. The Beavers allowed a two-goal lead to evaporate as the Findlay Oilers rallied for a 2-2 overtime tie tonight at the Clauss Ice Arena. The draw is the fifth of the year for the BSU men, equalling the school record set last season (12-18-5) and in 1991-’92 (16-9-5).

Bemidji State took a 2-0 lead at the 14:12 mark of the second period behind what has become the usual performance by the usual suspects. Freshman Ryan Huddy tallied his second goal of the season with helpers from Bill Methven and Myles Kuharski at 8:37 of the first period to give BSU a 1-0 lead, and Marty Goulet picked up his second goal of the year from Andrew Murray and Jesse Balsimo to give BSU a two-goal cushion at 14:12 of the second.

The pentuplet of Huddy, Methven, Kuharski, Goulet and Murray have been BSU’s offense over the team’s last three games, as those five players have had at least some part of each of BSU’s last six goals scored. Huddy had a goal and an assist in the Findlay series; Methven has two assists and has tied his career high with a three-game scoring streak (1-2=3); Kuharski had a goal and an assist in the series and likewise has a three-game scoring streak (1-2=3); Goulet had a goal and an assist in the series; and Murray had the Game 1 game-winning goal and an assist tonight.

But that two-goal lead would not be enough to give BSU its first back-to-back wins since winning four in a row from Jan. 26-Feb. 8, 2002. Nick Udovicic needed just 1:35 to answer Goulet’s second-period goal and cut BSU’s lead to 2-1, taking advantage of a Jean-Guy Gervais charging penalty and netting a power-play goal from Rigel Shaw and Jason Maxwell.

Still, BSU’s lead held until the final minutes of regulation. Maxwell was able to beat BSU goaltender Grady Hunt even-strength with just 2:55 to play in regulation to force overtime with the eventual game-tying goal.

Despite earning the draw, Hunt was again oustanding in net for BSU. For the second consecutive night, Hunt earned first-star honors in the contest, this time for a 39-save performance which included stops of five Findlay power-play shots in overtime. The 39 saves are the most in a game for Hunt since he also recorded 39 in a loss at Minn-Duluth on Dec. 7, 2001, and tied for sixth-most in a game in his career.

The draw moved Hunt’s record to 1-0-2; in three starts this season, Hunt has allowed just four goals in 190:00 of work (1.26 GAA) and has saved 96% of the shots he has faced (97 of 101; .960). When tonight’s games are completed, Hunt should rank amongst the top five in the nation in both goals-agaisnt average and save percentage.

The draw moves BSU to 1-2-5 on the season and gives the Beavers sole possession of first place in the CHA standings with three points. It is the first time BSU has been in sole possession of first place in the CHA since Nov. 18, 1999. Findlay moves to 2-3-1 overall and 0-1-1 in CHA play. BSU returns to the friendly confines of John Glas Fieldhouse next weekend for a two-game CHA series with the Wayne State Warriors. Opening face-offs for the series are slated for 7:35 p.m. Central time Nov. 15 and 7:05 p.m. Central time Nov. 16.

1/8:37/BSU - Ryan Huddy (2) (Bill Methven/2, Myles Kuharski/3) // 1-0
2/14:12/BSU - Marty Goulet (2) (Andrew Murray/2, Jesse Balsimo/1) // 1-1
2/15:47/UF - Nick Udovicic (2) (Rigel Shaw/3, Jason Maxwell/5) // 1-2
3/17:05/UF - Jason Maxwell (2-GT) (Brandon Harker/1, Nate Markus/3) // 2-2 / GT
BSU: Grady Hunt (65:00/8-12-14-5=39 saves/2 GA/T; 1-0-2)
UF: Jamie VandeSpyker (65:00/11-9-9-5=34 saves/2 GA/T; 2-3-1)
penalties/power plays: BSU: 5-10/0-4; UF: 5-21/1-5 (Udovicic game misconduct)