Inside College Hockey | CHA Notebook

November 26, 2008

Splits, Firsts Prevalent for CHA Programs

By Warren Kozireski

All four College Hockey America teams played twice and every team split their series.

In the only conference series, Niagara and Bemidji State swapped 3-1 outcomes in Niagara while Alabama-Huntsville registered the first 1-0 victory in the program’s history before falling to Yale in game two. Robert Morris reversed that with a second game win at Lake Superior State to also earn the split.

“Road games are good to get out of the way if you split,” said Bemidji State head coach Tom Serratore. “I don’t know anybody who is going into a road series thinking they’re going to come out with a sweep. If that happens it’s just a bonus, but you’re hoping to split.

“You always want to get it done on Friday night, because if you don’t your back is against the wall.”

Ted Cook is the leading goal-scorer in Niagara history.

Niagara was outshot 36-19, but came out with a 3-1 win in the series opener. The first goal of the game came off the stick of Ted Cook, who wasn’t expected back from his broken wrist until January. The goal gave him the school record for most career goals with 72.

“We’ve had some very good players in our history here at Niagara and for him to be the all-time leading scorer is pretty special,” Niagara head coach Dave Burkholder. “It stamps his career to date. He’s a special kid, he’s well-liked and I know he’ll fluff it off, but it is pretty special.”

The shots were virtually even for the second game, but it was Bemidji State who jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the Purple Eagles finally tallied in the third period. An empty-netter put the game away.

“That was a classic CHA game,” said Burkholder after the first game. “At times the speed of Bemidji was an issue which we knew it would be. Their high-end guys were high end and we got into penalty trouble.”

“It’s difficult for us right now scoring goals, but all we can do is keep applying pressure and hope the chips fall in. We feel we have pretty good chemistry amongst our lines.”

Game of Firsts

Alabama-Huntsville allowed 33 shots to Yale, but got a mid-third period goal from Joe Federoff to win the first game of the series.

It marked the first 1-0 victory in the program’s history, the first shutout in sophomore goaltender Cameron Talbot’s career and his first win of the season and Joe Federoff netted the third period game-winner—not only his first goal of the season, but the team’s first short-handed effort of the season as well.

A string of six unanswered goals on Saturday was too much to overcome in the Bulldogs 6-2 win.

Late Heroics

Coaches often talk about big players coming up at the right time and senior Chris Margott did just that to help Robert Morris salvage a split with Lake Superior State.

Leading 3-2 in the final minute, the Lakers pulled their goaltender and scored the tying goal. But on the next shift and 28 seconds later, Margott scored the game-winner—one of only four shots the Colonials managed in the period.

Earlier, freshman Brandon Blandina scored his first collegiate goal and Jason Towsley scored twice for Robert Morris.

Bemidji State and the WCHA Vote

Bemidji State head coach Tom Serratore on the decision by the WCHA to hold a vote on lifting the expansion moratorium in January: “This is one hurdle that they vote on the moratorium in January, but that’s just step one. It’s a process and we have to let nature take its course. If they vote to lift, then anybody can apply and it opens things up for anybody. There is no way it could happen for next season.”

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November 26, 2008

CHA Fries at the Bottom of the Bag

By Warren Kozireski

· Not only did Niagara forward Ted Cook return to the line-up Friday night, but Bemidji State forward Matt Francis also was back after missing the first 8 games with a separated shoulder.

· He hasn’t played a minute yet but the Beavers have been dressing freshman Dan Bakala as the back-up goaltender due to a high ankle sprain suffered by Orlando Alamano. He has missed the last six games including two exhibitions against Manitoba.

· Robert Morris forward Chris Kushneriuk, Niagara freshman Sam Goodwin and Alabama-Huntsville forward Kevin Morrison and defenseman Brandon Roshko are the only four skaters who have played the majority of their team’s games to not be penalized yet this season.

· Chargers freshman forward Cody Campbell started the week 12th in the nation among rookies in points per game with 7 over his first 8 games while teammate Cameron Talbot is fifth in save percentage and dropped his goals against average below two at 1.97—19th in the country.

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November 26, 2008

CHA Stick Salute, Bench Minor, and Weekend Getaway

By Warren Kozireski

STICK SALUTE

Niagara senior forward Ted Cook, not expected back in the lineup until January, scored the first goal of the game in the Purple Eagles’ 3-1 victory over Bemidji State Friday to break the school’s all-time goal scoring mark. The goal was the 72nd of his career. It was Cook’s first game back after breaking his wrist against Clarkson Oct. 18; he subsequently underwent surgery and missed six games.

“The best part about it is that it is out of the way and I don’t have to worry about it anymore — the puck is in my stall now,” Cook said. “I’m happy it’s out of the way and I’m happy it came on a night we won. Now I have a lot of work ahead of me.”

BENCH MINOR

Coming off the first 1-0 shutout win in school history, Alabama-Huntsville took an early 1-0 lead against Yale Saturday. But the Chargers’ power-play unit gave up a shorthanded goal — the first of six unanswered goals — in a 6-2 Yale victory.

WEEKEND GETAWAY

Everyone has the weekend off except Bemidji State hosting Michigan Tech for a pair starting Friday. The Huskies swept the Beavers two seasons ago in their only previous meeting.

While you’re there: Work off the extra dessert from Thursday and Friday at Turkey Trot 2008 featuring a 5 km & kids 1 mile fun run. Starts at noon Saturday and is a fund raiser for the Bemidji Star Striders Junior Olympic Team.

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November 21, 2008

Bemidji Back at Niagara to Highlight CHA Slate

By Warren Kozireski

Brandon Marino and the rest of the Bemidji forwards have had a slow start to 2008-09.

The last time Bemidji State visited Niagara’s Dwyer Arena, they sent Wayne State into permanent mothballs with a CHA playoff semifinal win before losing to the host Purple Eagles 3-2 in the title game.

Earlier last season, the Beavers’ trip to western New York was much more pleasant with a win and a tie on their way to winning the regular season CHA crown.

It’s a much different team from the one that appeared in last year’s championship game as Bemidji makes its return this weekend. Sophomore Matt Dalton and super-senior Orlando Alamanno are splitting time in net after the departure of four-year starter Matt Climie. Offensively, goals have been a premium this season, as the Beavers have scored more than two goals in a game just twice over their first nine games — both in a split at nationally ranked St. Cloud State.

The Purps are on a two-game winning streak, having swept regional rivals RIT and Canisius over a four-day span last week. Included was a successful penalty kill against Canisius that featured three shorthanded goals.

Niagara is now 4-1 this season at Dwyer, with the only blemish coming in the opener against St. Lawrence. During the last three years, the Purps are the winningest home team in the nation at 35-6-6 in 47 games.

This weekend’s games mark the end of four straight at home for Niagara and begin a stretch of three home conference games over the next four before the holiday break.

Bemidji WCHA Bound?

On Wednesday, WCHA Commissioner Bruce McLeod confirmed that his conference will consider lifting its moratorium on expansion in January. That could pave the way for Bemidji State to join the league.

League representatives will vote at the January meeting on whether to lift the moratorium. If the vote is in favor of lifting, there is no report as to how long afterward an official decision would be made on the Beavers.

Chargers & Colonials on the Road

Alabama-Huntsville travels to Yale this weekend to reciprocate for the Bulldogs’ trip south last season. The 2007-08 two-game series featured a pair of one-goal games, with each team winning once.

Robert Morris travels to Lake Superior this weekend to meet the Lakers for the first time since 2005. That young RMU squad lost both games but extended the second to an overtime session before losing.