Nov. 14—BEMIDJI — When the Bemidji State men’s hockey team squares off against Michigan Tech, recent history tells us these games will be anything but normal.
On Nov. 11, 2023, the Beavers erased a four-goal deficit in just under 30 minutes to win 6-4 at the Sanford Center.
On Jan. 20, 2024, Michigan Tech’s Mattew Campbell scored with less than five seconds left to cap a two-goal, third-period comeback at John MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton, Michigan, resulting in a 2-2 tie.
On March 22, the two teams met in the Mason Cup championship game, with the Huskies edging out the Beavers 2-1 to advance to the NCAA Tournament.
Last year’s games may have been even more bizarre.
On Dec. 13, Logan Morrell scored with just under 40 seconds left to force overtime, ending in another 2-2 tie and a shootout win for BSU. The next night, though, MTU scored six times in the third period to win 9-5, sending the Beavers on a lengthy skid following the holiday break.
Bemidji State got out of its second-half funk in Houghton two months later, winning the MacInnes Trophy at MTU’s Winter Carnival series. The MacInnes Trophy is awarded to the team that scores the most goals in the two-game series. The Beavers outscored Michigan Tech 11-8 last February, including a 6-5 overtime win in the series finale.
“There’s definitely a little bit of a rivalry going on there,” BSU junior forward Noah Quinn said. “Their rink’s really fun to play in. They have a good student section. It’s just a battle every night and you never know what’s going to happen.
“Every year we go there we have good games against them. They’re also undefeated this year (in CCHA play), so it’ll be a good battle this weekend.”
Michigan Tech (7-3-0) hasn’t dropped a point in four CCHA games, picking up regulation sweeps against Ferris State and Northern Michigan.
Bemidji State is the only team ahead of the Huskies in the CCHA standings. The Beavers are 5-0-1 in league play, picking up four or more points against Augsutana, Bowling Green and Lake Superior State.
“We’re finding a way,” head coach Tom Serratore said. “We could be 2-4 in the last six (games) instead of 5-0-1. I want to make sure I preface that, but we’re getting some puck luck, and that happens every now and then. Things are going our way, and you need that. Our penalty killing has been better. We’ve scored four power-play goals in the last four games. Defensively, we’re so much better than we were a while ago. Things are going our way. We’re living right, for whatever reason, right now.”
BSU hasn’t taken six points in any CCHA series yet, but it’s made up for it in 3-on-3 overtime sessions. Bemidji State is 3-0-1 in games that go to overtime this year, and junior forward Oliver Peer has two of the three game-winning goals.
Three of the last six games between BSU and MTU have gone to overtime.
“It’s tough to say, but we kind of know we have it,” Quinn said. “We have the guys to win those games. At the end of the day, hard work is going to overrule skill. When you have guys like that on the ice, good things are going to happen.”
Like Bemidji State, Michigan Tech also had a transformational offseason. The Huskies replaced former head coach Joe Shawhan with Bill Muckalt, then had an 18-player roster turnover. Mucjalt brought in a handful of transfers from his previous position at Lindenwood, along with 10 players with Canadian Hockey League experience.
“They’re unique in how they play,” Serratore said. “It’s like a five-man forecheck. They forecheck man-on-man. They’re so tight on you. We have our hands full trying to break that. We realize that. We’re working on some things, but again, Billy has got them clicking on all eight cylinders.”
Despite it being the middle of November — both teams have at least 20 games left in CCHA play — this weekend’s road series comes with a playoff feel for the Beavers.
“I instill that into the brains of the guys,” Serratore said. “They’re an extension of the coaching staff. I’ve said many times in September that games one and two are just as important as 33 and 34. Obviously, in the latter stage of the season, we know the posturing of where people are in the standings, but when you’re trying to win a championship, you can put yourself in a good situation by winning games early.”
BSU will likely be without two regulars in the lineup. Sophomore defenseman Isa Parekh and junior forward Jake McLean are ruled out and are week-to-week with injuries. Parekh has missed four games this season to injury, including both last weekend against Lake Superior State.
