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Following a sweep of LSSU and riding a 4-game win streak, our Falcons (12-12-0) will once again be at home as they take on the Bemidji State Beavers (9-6-5) in CCHA play. Game 1 will be Friday night, with Game 2 to follow on Saturday night. Both games will begin at 7:07pm and will be available to stream through FloHockey.

Mattias Sholl, brother of former Falcon Thomas Sholl, is one of the best goaltenders in the league, so scoring may come at a premium this weekend. Bemidji always defends hard and plays a physical game, so this is an opportunity to push back on the “finesse” reputation this team has gotten as of late.

Goalies:

BGSU
Stoever - 2.99 GAA, .916 SV%

Bemidji
Sholl - 1.88 GAA, .926 SV%
Enright - 3.18 GAA, .881 SV%

Big series. Potentially massive. Beat the Beavers!

Would be okay with a split, ecstatic at a sweep. As long as we can avoid being swept (including OTLs).

Beavers have 4 games in hand (12 points) on us and Mankato.

TalonsUpPuckDown wrote: ↑Mon Jan 09, 2023 10:28 am Beavers have 4 games in hand (12 points) on us and Mankato.

Which makes this series absolutely massive, no doubt.

Big test. Sholl is one of the top goaltenders in the NCAA. Bemidji's top D-pair of Zmolek and Rosen play close to 30 minutes a night, might be the best pairing in college hockey. They've always played a tight, grind it out style that BG has seemed to struggle with ever since Eigner arrived. Expect two low scoring games that will come down to who makes the fewest mistakes.

Austen Swankler named the CCHA Forward of the Week for his 6-point weekend against LSSU.

Scardina was a scratch on Saturday night because he tweaked his ankle on Friday, but he’s full-go in practice and Eigner expects him to be in the lineup this weekend. Big to have him available.

Serratore giving a master class in how not to provide any bulletin board material. He makes it sound like Bemidji is playing the 76-77 Canadiens this weekend.

TalonsUpPuckDown wrote: ↑Wed Jan 11, 2023 7:52 am Serratore giving a master class in how not to provide any bulletin board material. He makes it sound like Bemidji is playing the 76-77 Canadiens this weekend.

Loved hearing him talk about the differences/nuances of playing at the Slate. Haven't heard many folks break it down like that. I always find it so interesting that ice size can vary, even a little. I'd think that it would be as uniform as football or basketball.

BillyLP wrote: ↑Wed Jan 11, 2023 10:04 am
Loved hearing him talk about the differences/nuances of playing at the Slate. Haven't heard many folks break it down like that. I always find it so interesting that ice size can vary, even a little. I'd think that it would be as uniform as football or basketball.

Standard size is 200 feet long by 85 feet wide. International ice size is 200 feet long by 100 feet wide (Mankato is 200 x 90 for some odd reason). We all used to love making fun of the "Rinky Dink" in Columbus that was 185 x 85. I will say though, after missing quite a few home games recently due to work and other commitments, I've watched a lot of home games on Flo. Been thinking for awhile the ice just looks smaller. The corners are for sure shallower, but even in the neutral zone, things look closer, and more congested than other rinks. Could just be the camera angle.

pdt1081 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 11, 2023 10:23 am

BillyLP wrote: ↑Wed Jan 11, 2023 10:04 am
Loved hearing him talk about the differences/nuances of playing at the Slate. Haven't heard many folks break it down like that. I always find it so interesting that ice size can vary, even a little. I'd think that it would be as uniform as football or basketball.

Standard size is 200 feet long by 85 feet wide. International ice size is 200 feet long by 100 feet wide (Mankato is 200 x 90 for some odd reason). We all used to love making fun of the "Rinky Dink" in Columbus that was 185 x 85. I will say though, after missing quite a few home games recently due to work and other commitments, I've watched a lot of home games on Flo. Been thinking for awhile the ice just looks smaller. The corners are for sure shallower, but even in the neutral zone, things look closer, and more congested than other rinks. Could just be the camera angle.

Berry Events Center at Northern is 200x100 but during the offseason they're going to 200x90 which is as close as they can get to 200x85 (according to their engineering study).

Abel Arena in the Soo has a TON of room behind the nets compared to the Slate.

pdt1081 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 11, 2023 10:23 am

BillyLP wrote: ↑Wed Jan 11, 2023 10:04 am
Loved hearing him talk about the differences/nuances of playing at the Slate. Haven't heard many folks break it down like that. I always find it so interesting that ice size can vary, even a little. I'd think that it would be as uniform as football or basketball.

Standard size is 200 feet long by 85 feet wide. International ice size is 200 feet long by 100 feet wide (Mankato is 200 x 90 for some odd reason). We all used to love making fun of the "Rinky Dink" in Columbus that was 185 x 85. I will say though, after missing quite a few home games recently due to work and other commitments, I've watched a lot of home games on Flo. Been thinking for awhile the ice just looks smaller. The corners are for sure shallower, but even in the neutral zone, things look closer, and more congested than other rinks. Could just be the camera angle.

I’ve also noticed that it seems like the environment in general feels way more intimate watching BG-hosted games on Flo vs. games in other arenas. It feels like a better viewing experience than other teams in the CCHA, to me. I was curious if anyone else noticed that.

The broadcast is definitely not perfect in our barn, though. I really, really dislike when there is someone that is 15 seconds from coming out of the box so they put a giant box in the corner of the screen so we can watch them come out. It often blocks the action on the ice and isn’t conducive to watching the game, and it’s mind-boggling that it continues.

CHN Tale of the Tape for this weekend: Normally I'd say these offensive numbers look good for us, but our 15 goals in the last 3 games came against lousy teams. Beavers don't take a lot of penalties which reduces PP opportunities. Their offensive numbers aren't in the same league as ours, but our swiss cheese defense/goals against will provide ample opportunities. Anyone here think our coaching staff can figure out how to beat the trap?

Need to take advantage of the last change and get the Swankler line out when Rosen and Zmolek are on the bench.

mbenecke wrote: ↑Wed Jan 11, 2023 11:07 am
The broadcast is definitely not perfect in our barn, though. I really, really dislike when there is someone that is 15 seconds from coming out of the box so they put a giant box in the corner of the screen so we can watch them come out. It often blocks the action on the ice and isn’t conducive to watching the game, and it’s mind-boggling that it continues.

At least they've greatly reduced jumping to the low, shoulder mounted camera that's about 3/4 of a second behind the play. They still do it at the most inopportune times for viewing, but not nearly as much as last season.

Bemidji always manages to have a good defense with few penalties.

BG moved the blue lines a couple feet closer to the center a few seasons ago. I find that TV makes the ice look bigger. I haven't had Flo for a couple of seasons and can't say how BG looks to me.