Jan. 31, 2003
Marty Goulet records second consecutive three-point game for Beavers

BEMIDJI, Minn. - [box score] After tonight, Bemidji State's coaching staff might start spraining senior forward Marty Goulet's ankle on purpose. After missing the Alabama-Huntsville series with a high ankle sprain and skating despite lingering soreness in BSU's last three games, Goulet put up his second consecutive three-point effort and helped lead BSU to a 5-1 win over Findlay tonight at John Glas Fieldhouse.

Goulet extended his personal scoring streak to six games, tying his career high, with an assist on BSU's second goal in the first period and added goals at 18:00 of the second and 14:11 of the third to cap his three-point night. Goulet had 1-2=3 points in BSU's win over Air Force, Jan. 25, and now has three points in back-to-back games for the first time in his career. In addition, the six points in two games is Goulet's highest-scoring span since scoring 2-5=7 points against Minn. State-Mankato, Oct. 12-13, 2001.

BSU started the game in a hole, as a five-minute major for checking from behind and subsequent game misconduct to Donnie DeMars left BSU facing a five-minute power-play just 1:38 into the contest. Findlay got off several shots early in the power-play, but BSU was able to successfully kill the penalty and set the tempo for the remainder of the contest.

"To start off the game with a major, killing it off catapulted us into a great game," BSU head coach Tom Serratore said. "We didn't play with a lot of intensity, but we moved the puck well."

The Beavers jumped on the board at 13:49 of the first on Wade Chiodo's third goal of the season, then needed just 54 seconds to build a 2-0 lead on the second goal of the season by Travis Barnes at 14:53. It was the first goal since the season opener for Barnes, who missed 16 games due to a knee injury earlier this season. Barnes' goal was the eventual game-winner, and is the first winner of his career.

Findlay scored its only goal at 12:21 of the second. Nick Udovicic won a faceoff at the right faceoff circle, pushing the puck to Jason Maxwell at the top of the crease. Maxwell shot high and found the net to pull the Oilers within a goal, 2-1.

BSU answered at 18:00 on Goulet's first goal, then went up 4-1 just 42 seconds later on freshman Ryan Huddy's fourth marker of the season at 18:42. Goulet capped his three-point night with his 11th goal of the season at 14:11 of the third to cap the 5-1 BSU win.

Bemidji State dominated in the third period, giving Findlay no chance to mount a comeback. The Oilers benched starting goalie Jamie VandeSpyker in favor of Kevin Fines to start the frame, and the Beavers managed to squeeze one puck past Fines on 10 shots in the period. Meanwhile, the BSU defense limited Findlay to just five shots on net in the third period, the lowest shot total in a period by a BSU opponent since Niagara also had five shots in the third period of a 3-2 overtime loss on Dec. 14, 2002.

"I felt the third period was outstanding," Serratore said. "We had great puck and clock management and really lifted the bench. We didn't give up many scoring chances and kept the puck down low."

BSU's five goals in the contest ties the team's season high, set in a 5-5 draw with Union College on Oct. 26, 2002 and again in a 5-3 win over Air Force on Jan. 25. The four-goal margin of victory is a season-high for BSU and is the biggest win for a BSU team since also posting a 5-1 win over Air Force on Feb. 8, 2002. The team scored in every period, running its streak of consecutive periods with a goal scored to nine - the longest streak in the team's Division I era.

The win leaves BSU unbeaten in its last five games against Findlay (3-0-2), its longest unbeaten streak in the series. BSU improves to 8-5-2 all-time against Findlay, with all games coming in regular-season CHA play.

With tonight's win, Bemidji State runs its winning streak to three and improves to 8-8-6 on the season, moving the team to .500 for the first time since Dec. 14, 2002 when it stood at 5-5-6. Findlay falls to 8-16-1 and has now lost each of its last 10 games. The Oilers have been out-scored 45-16 during the losing streak.

The Beavers pick up two points in College Hockey America play, improving to 6-3-2 in the league and moving to 14 points. Findlay falls to 1-9-1 against the circuit and holds at three points. Niagara tied Wayne State tonight, leaving BSU just one point out of second place in the CHA. The teams wrap up their two-game CHA series tomorrow evening. Opening face-off from the John Glas Fieldhouse is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

SCORING SUMMARY
UF: Jamie VandeSpyker (40:00 / 12-7-x=19 saves / 4 GA / L, 4-9-1)
UF: Kevin Fines (20:00 / x-x-9=9 saves / 1 GA / ND)
BSU: Grady Hunt (60:00 / 6-7-5=18 saves / 1 GA / W, 8-5-3)
Penalties/Power Plays: UF: 5-10/0-3; BSU: 6-23/0-3
three stars: 1/Marty Goulet, BSU; 2/Wade Chiodo, BSU; 3/Grady Hunt, BSU

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