Featured Image:
Markus Gerbrandt faces off in BSU’s 4-1 victory over Alaska Anchorage on November 15th, 2013. (Photo: BSU Photo Services)

Before the start of the 2013-2014 season Bemidji State was faced with the question of who would step up and lead the team offensively. Twelve games in and the Beavers may have found an answer.

Sophomore forward Markus Gerbrandt has emerged into that role and has helped guide BSU to a 4-6-2 overall record and a second place standing in the WCHA thus far this season. Gerbrandt, who had four goals and an assist in his rookie campaign has doubled his point total from last season.

His eight goals and two assists not only place him first among his teammates in goals scored but his nine points in conference play have him tied for the WCHA lead.

“I’m getting more of an opportunity this year and I’m getting the chance to play more minutes,” Gerbrandt said, “My linemates and I have great chemistry and when you find that chemistry it makes things a lot easier for everyone.”

Gerbrandt, an Edmonton, Alberta native, played three seasons for the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) before committing the Beavers.

“I chose Bemidji State because I knew BSU was in one of the best leagues in the nation,” Gerbrandt said, “BSU was also the fist team that spoke with me in person when I was 18 years old and when a team shows interest in you and comes and visits you, it goes a long way.”

Gerbrandt was also named WCHA offensive player of the week after he scored his first collegiate hat trick that helped BSU to a series sweep over Alabama-Huntsville Oct. 25-26.

“Markus has played well,” Coach Tom Serratore stated, “He has a nose for the net and he has shown that so far in the early going.”

Like many hockey players, Gerbrandt is reluctant to mess with what could be considered ritualistic pre-game preparations. But when he does alter them it is based on team performance as opposed to his own individual play.

“If the team is having success, I just like to stick to my same game day routines,” Gerbrandt said, “I start getting ready at the same time before each game, same warm up, same stretches, if we get into a rut then I like to shake things up.”

Bemidji State looks to gain some conference points this weekend as the Beavers host WCHA opponent Lake Superior State Friday at 7:37 PM and Saturday 7:07 PM at the Sanford Center.

The post Seizing the Moment appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Featured Image:
Bemidji State’s Andrew Walsh is one of the few Beavers to have faced the Chargers. (Photo: BSU Photo Services)

There are more than points on the line this weekend as BSU faces long-time rival UAH in its conference opener. The Beavers and the Chargers have been competing against each other for more than 20 years and the rivalry between the two teams has grown to be one of the most unique for both fans and players.Although the two teams haven’t played each other since the 2011-2012 season, the fans of both schools have not let the intensity of the past slip away.

“Even though we haven’t been in the same conference for two years, you can still hear our student section chanting ‘Who hates Huntsville? We hate Huntsville’ during games,” senior Forward Jeff Jubinville said. “We are excited to renew the rivalry and play in the same conference again.”

Bemidji State and UAH entered the Division I era together and have had their fair share of success in the now disbanded College Hockey America (CHA) conference. The Beavers hold a 38-28-4 all time record against the Chargers and both teams will be looking for their first win of the season this weekend.

BSU (0-3-1) is coming off a challenging first two weekends in which the Beavers faced two teams ranked nationally in the top 10.

“I think we are a better hockey team than we were two weeks ago, we will see how that carries over into this coming weekend,” Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore said. “The biggest thing will be where our team’s mindset and confidence are at.”

Many of the players on the Beavers’ roster have yet to experience a game against the Chargers, and they will get their first taste of what the history is all about on Friday.

“Once our players get down there, I think they are not only going to realize it’s a fun trip but, too, sense there is a great rivalry as well,” Serratore said. “We need to win some games, it’s important for us to get off on the right foot and get ahead early in the season.”

The Beavers and the Chargers face off at 7:07 p.m. at Von Braun arena in Huntsville, Ala., this Friday and Saturday.

The post Uncivil war rekindled in WCHA’s opening weekend. appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Featured Image: Sophomore Cory Ward will be leaned on to provide Bemidji State’s offensive spark this season. (Photo: Bemidji State University Athletics)

Bemidji State’s 2012-13 campaign came to an end at Minnesota in the first round of WCHA playoffs. That game saw the end of nine players’ careers and the end of one of the lowest win outputs in Beaver history (6-22-8). With 11 new players on the 2013-14 roster, BSU hopes, with a mix of youth and leadership, it can restore its national reputation of being one the most competitive teams in the country.“The biggest thing for us right now is to get everyone on the same page,” Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore stated, “We have to make sure we take advantage of our experienced players because we have a relatively young team.”

One of the biggest questions facing the Beavers is who is going to lead the offense this season. With only 35 goals returning, Cory Ward, a native of Las Vegas, will be the player to look to as he finished his freshman year with nine goals and returns as the Beavers’ top goal scorer.

“We are really excited about his learning curve at the end of last year,” Serratore said. “He really emerged and came into his own as a player. He was probably our best player at the end of last season and we are really going to lean on him this year.”

While the offense is looking to improve, the core strength of the Bemidji State hockey team will continue to be its experienced defensive corps and goaltending. Junior goaltender Andrew Walsh has seen plenty of minutes and finished last season with a .916 save percentage. Junior Captain Matt Prapavessis will provide the leadership at the blue line.

“We feel Matt is going to have a breakout year,” said Serratore. “He is very experienced, he has logged a lot of ice time over the last couple years; he is going to eat up a lot of quality minuets for us this season.”

With a tough schedule and a change in the conference, the Beavers are excited about their opportunity in the reorganized 10-team league. “We are in a conference with a lot of schools that are similar to Bemidji State as far as enrollment goes,” stated Serratore. “They have great tradition, great history, great success at the collegiate level. As far as our schedule goes it is going to be a very difficult and challenging schedule, every game is going to be a dog fight but it is going to be exciting.”

The Beavers kick off the 2013-14 season Oct. 11-12 against ninth-ranked St. Cloud State, a team who is coming off a historic season which saw the Huskies make a Frozen Four appearance for the first time.

2012-13 Final Ranking: N/R (USCHO) / N/R (USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine)

2012-13 overall record: 6-22-8

2012-13 WCHA record: 5-16-7

2012-13 Conference Finish: 11^th (WCHA)

2012-13 Postseason Finish: Swept by Minnesota (2-1 OT, 4-3) in WCHA Playoffs

2013-14 Predicted finish: Seventh (WCHA Preseason Poll)

Tough Skates to Fill: F Brance Orban, D Jake Areshenko, F Jordan George, F Ben Kinne, F Aaron McLeod

Impact Returnees: D Matt Prapavessis, G Andrew Walsh, F Cory Ward, F Danny Mattson, F Radoslav Illo, F Jeff Jubinville

Key Additions: F Brendan Harris, F Ruslan Pedan

Why the Beavers will exceed expectations: Starting with a strong defensive corps, lead by experienced players the Beavers will be able to shut out opponents. The young talented forwards will adjust to college hockey faster than expected and produce the scoring chances they need.

Why the Beavers will fall short of expectations: The young team will struggle to find the back of the net and more pressure will be placed on the defenseman and goaltender to win games.

The post Bemidji State Seeks to Make a Statement in New-Look WCHA appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.