Wednesday, September 8th, 2010
MARQUETTE – Early and often to the net. Presenting a drive to have success early to start the season. For Walt Kyle and the NMU Wildcats, the question revolving around the 2009-2010 season is written on the wall. Can the Wildcats get off to a respectable start? Will NMU be able to garner enough points early in the season to help pad an always solid second half finish?
After splitting the opening weekend against Michigan Tech and University of Minnesota Duluth, The Wildcats open up a four game home stand against two top notch opponents. Before No. 1 Miami makes its way to the Berry Event Center to open up CCHA play, the team that made an improbable run to face the Redhawks in last season’s Frozen Four will head to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The Beavers are favored to win the CHA this season. Ranked in the USCHO (16th) for the first time since 2005, seventeen starters from last year’s squad have returned to build on last year’s success late in the season.
The Beavers have a tough schedule ahead that includes six teams that made the NCAA Tournament last year and another six teams that finished in the top 20 in 2008-09. These games will be key for momentum as conference play begins. Though the CHA is a tough conference, the Beavers will play 10 of it’s 18 conference games at home. A definite advantage in a four team conference.
Here is a preview of the first ever meeting between the Wildcats and Beavers this weekend.
Bemijdi State (2-0-0) vs. Northern Michigan University (2-1-0)
Friday, October 23rd and Saturday, October 24th
Berry Event Center
Game Times: 7:30 PM ET
Series Record: 0-0-0
NMU Game Preview (The Mining Journal)/Bemijdi Preview (Bemijdi Pioneer)
Streaming Video: B2 Network Wildcat Coverage
Sreaming Audio: Wildcat Coverage (WNMU)
Live Stats: NMU Athletics Website
Coaching Profiles:
Tom Serratore, Bemijdi State- After taking over for the legendary R.H. “Bob” Peters, Tom Serratore has done one heck of a job at the helm of this Bemidji State program. Seven years ago when he took over, the program had just seen three years of division I ice time. Struggling to compete at the top level of college athletics, Serratore began turning things around immediately. After three years as coach, the Beavers pulled out their first CHA regular season title in 2004. Serrato18 rre has also won the CHA conference title in 2005, 2008, and 2009. After leading the Beavers to their very first division I postseason birth in 2008, Serratorre’s 2009 squad made it all the way to the Frozen four for the first time in Bemijdi’s history.
For such a short time in division I hockey, Serratore is making a name for himself in college hockey. The National Coach of the Year runner up last season has a lot of talent returning to his squad, with a boatload of new recruits ready to carry the new-found tradition in northern Minnesota.
Walt Kyle, Northern Michigan University- Also entering his seventh season, Walt Kyle opens regular season play at the Berry Event Center this weekend and looks continue his success at the helm of his alma mater. In five of his first six seasons in Marquette, Kyle has led the Wildcats to the CCHA tournament. With five 20 win seasons under his belt at NMU, Kyle has continued to bring in top notch recruits to play his system. The Wildcats finished the 2008-2009 season winning going 16-5-1.
Unlike when Serratore became the head coach of his former school, Kyle came to NMU with plenty of experience. As an assistant coach for the New York Rangers and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Kyle gained the experience of coaching some of the best players in the world. As a former AHL head coach as well, it is clear that like Serratore, Kyle is one of the rising hockey coaches in the country.
A Strong Start:
For NMU and Bemijdi State, it is very important to get off to a strong start. Last season, both teams were able to make turnarounds in the second half, but a strong start at the beginning of the season is a goal for both of these squads.
Last season, the Beavers got outscored 21-6 in their first four games. After losing five of their first six, the Beavers continued to streak throughout the season. After winning six straight to end November, Bemidji State followed up November with a six game losing streak. Despite a 12-5-1 finish in conference play and sneaking into the Frozen Four, the Beavers will look all season for more consistency throughout the year.
For the Wildcats, 12 of the first 18 games resulted in a loss last season. From that point, the team came together to win 16 of it’s last 22 games. Many of the media outlets in the Midwest have pointed out that starting off the season strongly will be the key for NMU in 2009. The Wildcats enjoyed a run that fell one goal short of the CCHA championship game. Though a few more wins to start the season wouldn’t of put that goal in the net, It would of possibly propelled NMU to the CCHA regular season championship.
Forwards:
The Beavers are lead by alternate captain Matt Read on offense. The most productive player the last two seasons for Bemidji State, Read opened up the season with four points against Air Force in the last game the Beavers took the ice. He is a strong forward with speed and a great handle on the puck. Not only will he be key to shoving the puck in the net, but also dishing it off and making things click on the power play.
Despite losing over 260 points of production to start the season, the offense will still be a force to be reckoned with. Youngsters Shea Walters and Ben Kinne will be called on to pick up where they left off. As freshman they were thrown into key situations down the stretch, and now, most of the offensive pressure is placed on them. Senior Captain Chris McKelvie will be called upon to add to the scoring mix. Mckelvie isn’t the fastest or most gifted athlete on the ice, but he knows how to control situations and run the offense from the point efficiently, without turning over the puck. A problem the Beavers had at points last season. This is an offense that averaged over three goals a game last season, the best in the CHA. If the NMU forwards cannot hang defensively, it could be a long weekend for the Wildcats.
Offense was a nightmare in the first half for the Wildcats last season. At points key offensive players went scoreless and special teams play did not lead to many successful special teams points. Junior Mark Olver has led this squad in points the last two seasons and that shouldn’t change in 2009. So far this year he has tallied four points in two games. Many forwards such as Greger Hanson will also be asked to take on a heavy load of the offense. Phil Fox, Matt Butcher and Jared Brown are three other forwards that head coach Walt Kyle is counting on to score if this team wants to have a successful campaign.
Since it is early in the season, it might take a few games to see how the NMU offense pans out. There other names that could emerge at forward as big playmakers who could change the offensive attack. With senior defenseman Erik Gustafsson in the mix offensively, it could get rather interesting as the season develops. Butcher, Fox, Brown and Hanson are the names though to watch in this series. If they can break out offensively, then NMU has a distinct advantage across the board.
Defense:
The Beavers return six defenseman to arguably the best defense in the CHA last season. Bemijdi State held opponents to just 2.11 points per game and a lot of that success has to do with former Beaver All-CHA Cody Bostock. Though a big void to fill, Bemijdi looks poised on defense with returning blue liners Brad Hunt and Chris Peluso. Hunt was 8th in the nation in scoring last season, and his coach Tom Serratore beleives that he can shoot the puck as well as an NHL defenseman. On the Power Play, Hunt is a dangerous trigger man, that can also bury the puck in the net. Last year he put together the best points in a season for any rookie Bemijdi defenseman ever.
Peluso is a top notch skater that is great in transition. His 13 assists were good for third on the team last year and though he might not get into the net all often, he is a big reason the Beavers score when he is on the ice because he always gets himself in the right position. Senior Alternate Captain Kyle Hardwick will play a major role on the penalty and is what Serratore calls a “defenseman’s defenseman.” He will be called upon to stop the top line of the Wildcats without a doubt.
For NMU, a slew of defenders will be called upon to perform in this big series. Head coach Walt Kyle believes that one of the hardest game management issues this season will be defensive pairing. At least to start the year. T.J. Miller and Alan Dorich return from season ending injuries and will be called on to do some bruising around the blue line. Juniors Andrew Fernandez and Erik Spady add depth, while youngsters Kyle Follmer and Scott Macaulay will also see increased roles on this years squad.
Undoubtedly the ‘Cats are led on defense by all-american Erik Gustafsson. Flying under the radar last season, Gustafsson made a difference on both sides of special teams. After being switched to the top power play line as a freshman after Christmas, the offense responded. Gustafsson is a great skater that makes up for his lack of size in his shiftiness and passing ability. He will be the go-to-defenseman to start up scoring drives and will be asked to shut them down as well. In his first weekend of action, Gustafsson was named the CCHA Defenseman of the Week. He scored two goals and assisted on two this weekend against Michigan Tech and Minnesota-Duluth.
Goaltenders:
Brian Stewart returns for his senior year in the net for the ‘Cats. Head coach Walt Kyle calls him the key to the season, and as a goalie that often starts slow, It will be key for Stewart to jump out to a fast start, because at times, he will need to put this team on his back. At points last season he faced far too many shots per game. Despite his slightly above .500 win loss record, Stewart put together a 2.32 goals against average and .925 save percentage. He was named CCHA Goaltender of the Week twice last season. His numbers have gotten better every season at NMU, and the Wildcats coaching staff is hoping that he has enough to carry this team through the tough weeks of the season. Reid Ellingson returns after a year off to back up Stewart. Walt Kyle believes he is a good enough goalie to see quite a bit of action this season.
The Beavers will call on first year starter Dan Bakala. So far this year in two games, Bakala has saved 41 shots, while allowing just four goals this season. The 5’11″ sophomore is the veteran of the bunch. Coach Tom Serratore calls this position the “million dollar question” when it comes to this team. For now, it seams the job is Bakala’s to lose. But waiting in the wings are freshman Travis Bosch and Mathieu Dugas. One or the other might see playing time in this series, but this is by far the weakest link for the Beavers. It will be key for the Wildcat forwards to crash the net and create pressure up front.
(For More Information about this weekend’s NMU action, make sure to follow Inside NMU Athletics on Twitter.)
Tags: Bemijdi State, CCHA, CHA, Hockey Weekend Preview
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