2020–21 Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey season

The 2020–21 Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey season was the 65th season of play for the program, the 22nd at the Division I level and the 11th in the WCHA conference. The Beavers represented Bemidji State University and were coached by Tom Serratore, in his 20th season.

2020–21 Bemidji State Beavers
men's ice hockey season
NCAA tournament, Regional final
Conference4th WCHA
Home iceSanford Center
Rankings
USCHO10
USA Today10
Record
Overall16–10–3
Conference8–5–1–3–2–0
Home10–5–0
Road5–3–3
Neutral1–2–0
Coaches and captains
Head coachTom Serratore
Assistant coachesTravis Winter
Eddie Olczyk III
Michael Fanelli
Captain(s)Ethan Somoza
Alternate captain(s)Brad Johnson
Owen Sillinger
Tyler Vold
Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey seasons
« 2019–20 2021–22 »

Season

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As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the entire college ice hockey season was delayed. Because the NCAA had previously announced that all winter sports athletes would retain whatever eligibility they possessed through at least the following year, none of Bemidji State's players would lose a season of play.[1] However, the NCAA also approved a change in its transfer regulations that would allow players to transfer and play immediately rather than having to sit out a season, as the rules previously required.[2]

Bemidji State's start to the season was a bit rocky but the team started playing better by the beginning of January and took 3 out of four games from a highly ranked Bowling Green squad. After flirting with a ranking of their own for a few weeks, the Beavers put a string of wins together towards the end of the regular season that placed them firmly in the top 20. The team's performance against the top teams in the WCHA made it possible that BSU would make the NCAA tournament without a conference title, but sweeping Michigan Tech in the quarterfinals all but guaranteed them a spot.

The Beavers were ranked 13th by the NCAA selection committee and were placed opposite Wisconsin for the first tournament game. The Beavers played well from the start, recording 16 shots and taking an early lead after the first period. After the Badgers cut their lead in half the game tightened up but BSU continued to fire the puck on goal and regained their two-goal lead late in the second. A gaffe by Wisconsin's netminder allowed Owen Sillinger to score the team's fourth goal and the Beavers added another early in the third. Wisconsin fought back to score twice in the final frame but the Beavers' lead was too great and an empty net goal with less than 2 seconds remaining sent Bemidji State to the regional final. The Beavers' performance in their second game was nightmarish for the team. BSU ended up recording just 18 shots all game and were unable to score on any of their six power play opportunities, which included a five-minute major. To make matters worse, Massachusetts opened the scoring with a short-handed goal and never let the Beavers onto the game, winning the match 4–0.

Austin Jouppi and Nick Leitner sat out the season.

Departures

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Player Position Nationality Cause
Adam Brady Forward   Canada Graduation (Signed with Stockton Heat)
Charlie Combs Forward   United States Transferred to Michigan State
Hank Johnson Goaltender   United States Transferred to Mercyhurst
Tommy Muck Defenseman   United States Graduation (Signed with Kansas City Mavericks)
Hampus Sjödahl Forward   Sweden Graduation

Recruiting

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Player Position Nationality Age Notes
Gavin Enright Goaltender   United States 21 Farmington, MN
Ethan Gauer Defenseman   United States 20 Farmington, MN
Austin Jouppi Forward   United States 20 Duluth, MN
Eric Martin Forward   Canada 20 Calgary, AB
Aaron Myers Forward   Canada 21 Thief River Falls, MN
Jack Powell Defenseman   United States 21 Alexandria, MN
Lukas Sillinger Forward   Canada 20 Regina, SK

Roster

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As of December 31, 2020[3]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1   Gavin Enright Freshman G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 161 lb (73 kg) 1999-08-26 Farmington, MN Green Bay (USHL)
2   Austin Jouppi Freshman F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2000-04-18 Duluth, MN Bismarck (NAHL)
3   Jack Powell Freshman D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 1999-09-11 Alexandria, MN Aberdeen (NAHL)
4   Will Zmolek Sophomore D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 1999-04-02 Rochester, MN Cedar Rapids (USHL)
5   Nick Leitner Sophomore D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1998-04-17 Bemidji, MN Green Bay (USHL)
6   Sam Solenský Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 1998-08-25 Michalovce, Slovakia Johnstown (NAHL)
7   Kyle Looft Sophomore D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 1998-06-27 Mankato, MN Cedar Rapids (USHL)
8   Darby Gula Junior D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1998-01-08 Steinbach, MB Steinbach (MJHL)
9   Ethan Somoza (C) Senior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 189 lb (86 kg) 1996-05-17 Simi Valley, CA Bloomington (USHL)
11   Eric Martin Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 154 lb (70 kg) 2000-06-05 Calgary, AB Drumheller (AJHL)
12   Owen Sillinger (A) Junior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 182 lb (83 kg) 1997-09-23 Regina, SK Penticton (BCHL)
13   Carter Jones Sophomore F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1999-05-15 Hillyard, WA Trail (BCHL)
14   Alex Ierullo Junior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 1997-07-30 Woodbridge, ON Newmarket (OJHL)
15   Tyler Jubenvill Junior D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 193 lb (88 kg) 1999-11-30 Gilbert Plains, MB Cedar Rapids (USHL)
16   Aaron Miller Senior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 1995-12-20 Superior, WI Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL)
17   Ross Armour Junior F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 1998-02-07 Trail, BC Trail (BCHL)
18   Brad Johnson (A) Senior D 5' 9" (1.75 m) 186 lb (84 kg) 1996-01-23 Chesterfield, MO Fargo (USHL)
19   Brad Belisle Sophomore F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 1998-01-26 Thunder Bay, ON Aberdeen (NAHL)
20   Lukas Sillinger Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2000-09-14 Regina, SK Penticton (BCHL)
21   Brendan Harris Senior F 5' 7" (1.7 m) 161 lb (73 kg) 1996-07-10 Henderson, NV Wenatchee (BCHL)
22   Tyler Vold (A) Senior D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 183 lb (83 kg) 1996-09-01 Andover, MN Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL)
23   Aaron Myers Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 1999-09-28 Thief River Falls, MN Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL)
25   Alex Adams Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 191 lb (87 kg) 1997-12-30 Grand Rapids, MN Minot (NAHL)
26   Nick Cardelli Junior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 171 lb (78 kg) 1997-06-06 Wood Dale, IL Youngstown (USHL)
27   Tyler Kirkup Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 203 lb (92 kg) 1998-04-03 Virden, MB Virden (MJHL)
28   Elias Rosén Sophomore D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 1999-01-04 Mora, Sweden Tri-City (USHL)
29   Ethan Grauer Freshman D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1999-12-23 Farmington, MN Bismarck Bobcats (NAHL)
33   Zach Driscoll Senior G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 1997-02-25 Apple Valley, MN Omaha (USHL)
35   Mike Carr Freshman (RS) G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 1998-06-08 Columbus, OH Cornwall (CCHL)

Standings

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Conference record Overall record
GP W L T OTW OTL 3/SW PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
#4 Minnesota State 14 13 1 0 1 1 0 39 56 15 27 22 5 1 100 46
#14 Lake Superior State * 14 9 5 0 2 2 0 27 39 34 29 19 7 3 86 63
#18 Bowling Green 14 8 5 1 0 2 0 27 46 34 31 20 10 1 108 67
#10 Bemidji State 14 8 5 1 3 2 0 24 42 34 29 16 10 3 82 70
Michigan Tech 14 7 7 0 1 0 0 20 38 35 30 17 12 1 78 63
Northern Michigan 14 6 7 1 2 2 1 20 40 47 29 11 17 1 79 103
Alabama–Huntsville 14 3 11 0 1 0 0 8 18 49 22 3 18 1 31 80
Ferris State 14 0 13 1 0 1 1 3 28 59 25 1 23 1 55 103
Alaska 0 - - - - - - - - - 0 - - - - -
Alaska Anchorage 0 - - - - - - - - - 0 - - - - -
Championship: March 20, 2021
† indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll

Schedule and results

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Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Decision Result Attendance Record
Regular season
November 22 5:07 PM vs. #5 Minnesota State* #16 Sanford CenterBemidji, MN   Driscoll L 0–5  105 0–1–0
December 12 4:07 PM vs. Michigan Tech* Sanford Center • Bemidji, MN   Driscoll W 6–3  105 1–1–0
December 13 2:07 PM vs. Michigan Tech* Sanford Center • Bemidji, MN   Driscoll W 0–3  105 1–2–0
December 18 7:37 PM at #5 Minnesota State* Mayo Clinic Health System Event CenterMankato, MN   Driscoll L 4–5  0 1–3–0
December 19 5:07 PM at #5 Minnesota State* Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, MN   Driscoll T 1–1 SOL 0 1–3–1
January 2 4:00 PM at #19 Lake Superior State* Taffy Abel ArenaSault Ste. Marie, MI   Driscoll W 4–1  0 2–3–1
January 3 2:00 PM at #19 Lake Superior State* Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, MI   Driscoll W 2–2 SOL 0 2–3–2
January 7 2:00 PM at #7 Bowling Green Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, OH FloHockey.tv Driscoll L 2–3  300 2–4–2 (0–1–0)
January 8 6:07 PM at #7 Bowling Green Slater Family Ice Arena • Bowling Green, OH FloHockey.tv Driscoll W 4–3 OT 300 3–4–2 (1–1–0)
January 21 5:07 PM vs. #5 Bowling Green* Sanford CenterBemidji, MN   Driscoll W 2–1  0 4–4–2
January 22 2:07 PM vs. #5 Bowling Green* Sanford Center • Bemidji, MN   Driscoll W 3–1  0 5–4–2
January 29 4:07 PM vs. #3 Minnesota State* Sanford Center • Bemidji, MN   Driscoll W 4–1  25 6–4–2
February 5 6:07 PM at Ferris State #18 Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, MI FloHockey.tv Driscoll T 3–3 SOL 200 6–4–3 (1–1–1)
February 6 6:14 PM at Ferris State #18 Ewigleben Arena • Big Rapids, MI FloHockey.tv Carr W 7–2  234 7–4–3 (2–1–1)
February 12 7:07 PM vs. Northern Michigan #17 Sanford Center • Bemidji, MN FloHockey.tv Driscoll L 1–5  90 7–5–3 (2–2–1)
February 13 6:00 PM vs. Northern Michigan #17 Sanford Center • Bemidji, MN FloHockey.tv Driscoll L 2–3 OT 90 7–6–3 (2–3–1)
February 19 6:07 PM at #18 Michigan Tech MacInnes Student Ice ArenaHoughton, MI FloHockey.tv Driscoll W 4–1  300 8–6–3 (3–3–1)
February 20 5:07 PM at #18 Michigan Tech MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, MI FloHockey.tv Driscoll W 2–1  300 9–6–3 (4–3–1)
February 25 7:07 PM at #3 Minnesota State #19 Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, MN FloHockey.tv Driscoll L 3–4 OT 250 9–7–3 (4–4–1)
February 27 6:07 PM vs. #3 Minnesota State #19 Sanford Center • Bemidji, MN FloHockey.tv Driscoll W 4–3 OT 150 10–7–3 (5–4–1)
March 2 6:07 PM vs. #20 Lake Superior State #17 Sanford Center • Bemidji, MN FloHockey.tv Driscoll W 2–1 OT 250 11–7–3 (6–4–1)
March 3 4:07 PM vs. #20 Lake Superior State #17 Sanford Center • Bemidji, MN FloHockey.tv Driscoll L 2–5  250 11–8–3 (6–5–1)
March 6 4:07 PM vs. Alabama–Huntsville #17 Sanford Center • Bemidji, MN FloHockey.tv Driscoll W 2–0  250 12–8–3 (7–5–1)
March 7 2:07 PM vs. Alabama–Huntsville #17 Sanford Center • Bemidji, MN FloHockey.tv Driscoll W 4–0  250 13–8–3 (8–5–1)
WCHA tournament
March 12 7:07 PM vs. Michigan Tech* #15 Sanford Center • Bemidji, MN (WCHA quarterfinals game 1)   Driscoll W 3–1  250 14–8–3
March 13 6:07 PM vs. Michigan Tech* #15 Sanford Center • Bemidji, MN (WCHA quarterfinals game 2)   Driscoll W 4–1  250 15–8–3
Bemidji State won series 2–0
March 19 7:37 PM vs. #17 Lake Superior State* #13 Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, MN (WCHA semifinals)   Driscoll L 1–4  250 15–9–3
NCAA tournament
March 26 12:00 PM vs. #4 Wisconsin* #14 Webster Bank ArenaBridgeport, CT (NCAA East Regional semifinals) ESPN2 Driscoll W 6–3  0 16–9–3
March 27 3:00 PM vs. #6 Massachusetts* #14 Webster Bank Arena • Bridgeport, CT (NCAA East Regional final) ESPNU Driscoll L 0–4  0 16–10–3
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Central Time.

[4]

Scoring statistics

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Name Position Games Goals Assists Points PIM
Alex Ierullo LW 29 7 17 24 18
Brendan Harris C 29 9 14 23 17
Ethan Somoza LW 29 15 5 20 14
Elias Rosén D 25 5 11 16 10
Owen Sillinger C 20 10 5 15 14
Lukas Sillinger F 28 6 9 15 46
Aaron Miller F 27 6 8 14 10
Ross Armour F 29 5 5 10 6
Brad Johnson D 29 3 7 10 20
Tyler Kirkup C/LW 29 3 7 10 14
Tyler Vold D 29 1 9 10 2
Eric Martin F 27 2 5 7 10
Alex Adams F 26 2 3 5 12
Kyle Looft D 29 1 4 5 10
Nick Cardelli RW 7 2 2 4 0
Tyler Jubenvill D 29 0 4 4 6
Brad Belisle C 9 2 1 3 2
Darby Gula D 28 1 2 3 2
Will Zmolek D 15 0 3 3 2
Sam Solenský C/RW 28 1 1 2 4
Aaron Myers F 12 1 0 1 0
Carter Jones F 23 0 1 1 0
Gavin Enright G 1 0 0 0 0
Mike Carr G 2 0 0 0 0
Ethan Gauer D 4 0 0 0 0
Jack Powell D 11 0 0 0 0
Zach Driscoll G 28 0 0 0 2
Bench - - - - - 8
Total 82 123 205 229

[5]

Goaltending statistics

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Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals against Saves Shut-outs SV % GAA
Gavin Enright 1 5:10 0 0 0 0 3 0 1.000 0.00
Zach Driscoll 28 1678 15 10 3 65 767 2 .922 2.32
Mike Carr 2 70 1 0 0 3 28 0 .903 2.57
Empty Net - 12 - - - 2 - - - -
Total 29 1766 16 10 3 70 798 2 .919 2.38

Rankings

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Poll Week
Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 (Final)
USCHO.com 16 16 19 19 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 18 17 NR 19 17 15 13 14 - 10
USA Today 15 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 12 15 10 10

USCHO did not release a poll in week 20.[6]

Awards and honors

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Player Award Ref
Elias Rosén WCHA Defensive Player of the Year [7]
Zach Driscoll WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year [7]
Elias Rosén WCHA First Team [8]
Zach Driscoll WCHA Third Team [8]
Lukas Sillinger WCHA Rookie Team [8]

References

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  1. ^ Cobb, David (August 21, 2020). "NCAA approves blanket waiver for 2020 fall sports athletes to retain year of eligibility". CBS Sports. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  2. ^ "DI Council grants waiver to allow transfer student-athletes to compete immediately". NCAA. December 16, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  3. ^ "2020–21 Roster". Bemidji State University. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  4. ^ "Bemidji State Beavers (Men) 2020-2021 Schedule and Results". College Hockey Stats. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  5. ^ "Bemidji State Univ. 2020-2021 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  6. ^ "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  7. ^ a b "WCHA announces individual award winners". The Sault News. March 11, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c "WCHA Announces 2020-21 All-League Teams". WCHA.com. March 10, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021.