Series Preview: The Road to Bemidji

The Bullpuppies look to bounce back once again after being swept the last two weekends, AT HOME, in a row.  If that sentence isn't enough motivation for the Pups to come out flying on Friday night then I'm not exactly sure what is...

Photo: Dave Harwig

Overview:

I guess I can't complain to much about the Bulldogs and their winless ways because the Bemidji State Beavers haven't won a hockey game since they beat Denver at home on December 15th.  So if you add all that up, the Beavers are 0-9-3 since that win.  Going back to that date, the Beavers are last in the NCAA in scoring offense, averaging 1.5 goals-per-game.  It's hard to say goaltending has been a huge issue, I like Andrew Walsh, I think he's pretty solid and not producing terrible numbers, but the players in front of him don't give him a chance.  Scoring Leaders...

	Pos.	(GP) G-A-Pts.	Pts/G
Brance Orban	F	(28) 6-12-18	0.64
Jordan George	F	(28) 8-7-15	0.54
Danny Mattson	F	(21) 3-12-15	0.71
Brady Wacker	D	(28) 2-5-7	0.25
Matt Prapavessis	D	(28) 0-7-7	0.25
	Pos.	(GP) GAA/Sv%	Mins.
Andrew Walsh	G	(19) 2.73/.910	1075

So now that the Beavers are summed up, Minnesota Duluth doesn't sound as bad, right?  Things could always be worse, but as Bulldogs fans we're use to the winning ways of the last few year.  The four game drought has dampened both fan's moods and even attendance at Amsoil Arena.  The Dogs are in the same position the Beavers are in; I think our goaltenders are better than they appear, but scoring just hasn't came.  As a matter of fact, going back to our date of December 15th, the Dogs were only two spots above BSU, averaging 1.8 goals per game.

	Pos.	(GP) G-A-Pts.	Pts/G
Mike Seidel	F	(28) 13-14-27	0.96
Tony Cameranesi (TOR)	F	(28) 12-13-25	0.89
Austin Farley	F	(26) 10-11-21	0.81
Wade Bergman	D	(27) 2-13-15	0.56
Andy Welinski (ANA)	D	(28) 2-10-12	0.43
	Pos.	(GP) GAA/Sv%	Mins.
Matt McNeely	G	(19) 2.78/.894	1122

Let's Compare:

Bulldogs		Beavers
10-15-3	...Overall...	5-17-6
8-11-3	WCHA	4-13-5
5-8-1	Home	8-5-1
5-5-2	Away	7-4-2
2.50	Avg. Offense	2.04
3.00	Avg. Defense	3.07
16.2	PIM/G	13.7
20.6%	Power Play	16.0%
82.3%	Penalty Kill	80.4%
32.8	Shots/G	24.1
26.5	Opponent S/G	31.3

The Verdict:

As far as predictions go, I suck.  Homerism has bit me in the ass more times this year than ever before.  So obviously we're going to split this series.  oops.  But let's be honest here, our goalie situation isn't the strongest, our forwards are having difficulties putting the puck where it needs to go and our defensemen have made more errors that have lead to goals in the last two series than I have ever seen.

Although the series should be a treat to watch, I think in all honesty this is two fairly mediocre hockey teams going at it.  But as a Bulldog fan it's almost best to accept it and hope this weekend is the mark that turns in all around!

Just always remember two things Bulldog fans...

1. Win or lose, we still booze!
2. We will not be intimidated, until mathematically eliminated!

Enjoy.

Questions?  Comments?  Ask Below!