DATE: Nov. 13, 2004
Freshman goaltender Matt Climie notches shutout in first career start

BEMIDJI, Minn. (John Glas Fieldhouse) [stats] - Freshman goaltender Matt Climie (Leduc, Alberta) saved all 17 shots he faced, sparking Bemidji State to a 5-0 shutout of the Bentley Falcons in his first career start.

Climie saved 10 shots in the first period, three in the second and four in the third to record the 10th shutout in BSU’s Division I era and 87th shutout all-time. The shutout was also his first collegiate victory.

“Climie stood tall and played well,” BSU head coach Tom Serratore said. “He was very composed in the net. I’m real happy he got that goose egg.”

Climie’s shutout was just part of a strong night by BSU’s rookie class, which combined for five points. First-year sophomore Garrett Roth (Cary, Ill.) gave Climie all the support he’d need with his first collegiate goal at 15:47 of the first period, with helpers from freshman Niko Suoraniemi (Angelholm, Sweden) and Luke Erickson (So., Roseau, Minn.).

John Haider (Sr., Forest Lake, Minn.) and Ryan Huddy (So., Stony Plain, Alberta), who combined for seven points in last night’s victory, lit up the scoreboards again tonight. Haider scored BSU’s second goal of the night on a power-play opportunity at 19:45 of the first period, with helpers from Erickson and Huddy, and Huddy added an even-strength goal at 6:41 of the third period to give him two points for the night.
The teams combined for 19 penalties for 49 minutes, including 11 penalties for 33 minutes in the first period alone. Bentley committed five minors in the first, while BSU was whistled for six penalties including a five-minute major and game misconduct for checking from behind against assistant captain Jean-Guy Gervais (Jr., Winnipeg, Manitoba) at 17:48.

BSU drew penalties just 43 seconds apart at 7:07 and 7:50 of the first, leaving the team with 1:17 of a five-on-three penalty which allowed Bentley to assemble a strong, extended scoring chance. Climie had four saves during the five-on-three, all from point-blank in front of the crease.

Ryan Miller (So., Fergus Falls, Minn.) scored his second goal in as many nights, lighting the lamps on a short-handed tally during the Gervais major at 2:19 of the second period.

BSU’s fifth goal of the night came courtesy of fourth-line right wing Lou Garritan (Jr., Pittsburgh, Pa.). He was assisted by linemates Brendan McIntyre (Ottawa, Ontario) and Garrett Roth (Cary, Ill.), giving the fourth line a total of four points for the game. It marked the second consecutive night and third time in six games this year BSU’s fourth line has generated four points. The fourth line had just one four-point game all of last year.

The victory, coupled with a 9-2 win last night, completed a two-game series sweep of Bentley. BSU improved to 3-0-0 all-time against the Falcons (2-0-0 in its Division I era) and is now 5-1-2 in its Division I era against Atlantic Hockey opposition.

“This gives good confidence to the guys,” Serratore said. “We sure didn’t have the chances we had last night, but we made big strides this weekend as far as systems go. We executed on the forecheck and played well on special teams.”

The victory helped Bemidji State even its season record at 3-3-0, while Bentley dropped to 2-6-2 on the year and 1-3-0 against College Hockey America competition. BSU opens College Hockey America play next weekend and will play four games in five days from Nov. 19-23. BSU travels to defending CHA Tournament champion Niagara on Nov. 19-20, then heads to Wayne State (Mich.) for a pair of CHA tilts Nov. 22-23. Opening face-offs from Niagara are slated for 6:05 p.m. and 2:05 p.m. Central time.

--bsu--