Ay-Ziggy-Zoomba.com

Bemidji comes to the Madhouse on Friday (7:37) and Saturday (7:07) this weekend.

The Beavers come in sporting a 5-5-2 overall record so far this year, including 2-3-1 in conference games. They've lost 3 of their last 4, including being swept by Minnesota State by scores of 5-2 and 8-6.

In the WCHA standings, they are tied for 8th place with just 8 points. However, they have only played 6 conference games so far, so I am under the impression that they will rise in the rankings once the amount of games played starts to even out.

Their stud goaltender from last year, Senior Michael Bitzer, is back and is thus far having a sub-standard season. His save percentage in conference games so far is just 0.86, and his GAA is 3.29, good for 14th and 11th in conference play, respectively.

Honestly, I am expecting a defensive struggle yet again this weekend. Until our guys find ways to consistently put the puck in the net, I see a lot of splits in our future, especially when we play quality opponents. A not-fun fact:
In 15 games thus far, we have reached 3 goals or more just 5 times.

My prediction?
Friday - Bemidji 2, BG 1
Saturday - BG 3, Bemidji 2

Hope I'm wrong! We could sure use the points! Go Falcons!

We need sweeps!

Alec Rauhauser won WCHA Defensive Player of the Month and Ryan Bednard took home Goaltender of the Month in November.

Time to keep it rolling, gentlemen.

My predictions. Bemidji is tired from the long bus ride to BG and BG is upset after last weekend play against Miami

Friday: BG 7 Bemidji 2 (yes 7 goals)
Saturday: BG 2 Bemidji 2, BG gets extra point in circus act #2

I like Beneke's prediction. I think Bitzer is bound to get hot and we seem to be a Saturday team now.

Critical Thinker wrote:I like Beneke's prediction. I think Bitzer is bound to get hot and we seem to be a Saturday team now.

Stop being so critical!

End of 1, no score. Shots are 11-9, BG.

End of 2, BG leads 1-0. Shots are 22-15, BG.

I hate playing these guys so much. Hold, obstruct, trap. Boring hockey.

Winner winner. 1st place dinner!!

Happy with the effort, glad to get the W.

With the volume of our chances, we should have had 2 or 3 more goals. I think we will either get another struggle or an explosion tomorrow. It just can't be the middle ground.

I think we'll win 5-2. Go Falcons!

There were 5 NHL GMs in attendance tonight, including Rob Blake and Steve Yzerman. Pretty cool that the program is getting so much attention.

mbenecke wrote:There were 5 NHL GMs in attendance tonight, including Rob Blake and Steve Yzerman. Pretty cool that the program is getting so much attention.

My impression from Bergeron at the pregame talk was that the GMs were there to look at Whitecloud of Bemidji, mainly.

The effort and play were mostly horrible. The 5-minute kill was fantastic, though, and there was a decent forecheck a couple of times. We were lucky to escape with a win.

The officiating was a puzzle.

mbenecke wrote: With the volume of our chances, we should have had 2 or 3 more goals. I think we will either get another struggle or an explosion tomorrow. It just can't be the middle ground.

BG84 wrote: The effort and play were mostly horrible. The 5-minute kill was fantastic, though, and there was a decent forecheck a couple of times. We were lucky to escape with a win.

The officiating was a puzzle.

Hand in hand.

SATURDAY
End of 1, 1-1. Shots are 8-11, them.