Much like the Northeastern series two weeks ago, the Chargers turned a blowout in the first game into a tough, one-goal loss in the second.
Carmine Guerriero had another solid start between the pipes, but Bemidji State’s Andrew Walsh made all the saves as the Beavers beat UAH 1-0 on Saturday.
The first period had a lot of back-and-forth, but few scoring opportunities. BSU did take the lead at 9:38 on a tally by Cory Ward, assisted by Danny Mattson and Brendan Harms.
After that was a spike of penalties. Graeme Strukoff went off for holding at 10:42 to give Bemidji State its first power play, followed by two sets of coincidental holding minors. UAH was able to kill the penalty.
UAH’s best scoring chance of the first was a centering pass from Chad Brears to Craig Pierce, but Pierce couldn’t control the pass in front of Walsh with 2:17 to go.
Not many pucks were put on net in the first two periods. Bemidji State held a 15-7 shots advantage.
The Chargers had a great chance to even the score thanks to two late-period Bemidji State penalties in the second. First was a high-sticking penalty on Ruslan Pedan at 18:24, followed by too many men on the ice at 19:25.
The Beavers would withstand the power plays, and would attack the UAH net to give Carmine Guerriero a couple of tough saves.
UAH stepped up the pressure in the final five minutes, but couldn’t tally the equalizer. Joakim Broberg was alone in front of the Bemidji net, but his decision to pass to Doug Reid on the doorstep went wide. Jeff Vanderlugt passed to Brandon Clowes, who’s chance went through Walsh’s leg and wide.
The Chargers pulled Guerriero for the extra attacker for the final 1:30, but Walsh stood up to the challenge to earn the shutout.
Bemidji State outshot UAH 24-13. Both teams were 0-for-2 on the power play.
UAH returns to action on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 2 and 3, against Ferris State at the Von Braun Center. Puck drop is 7:07 both nights. — Michael Napier
It was a tough night for anyone looking to score. There were sticks and shin guards in the way, and so many shots went wide. I’m happy with what I saw from the boys in terms of controlling the slot defensively and winning puck battles, but we had a lot of offensive execution problems, from cross-ice passes either being two feet ahead or two feet behind in the neutral zone, or someone not being ready to receive a pass in the slot. Those things come with time, especially with everyone adjusting to a new system and 11 guys adjusting to the pace of the college level. Guerriero made all the saves he needed to make. We’ll see better efforts down the line. — Geof Morris