60 Days. 60 Teams. 600 Words (or Less): Bemidji State

Bemidji State

2018-19 Record: 15-17-6 (13-11-4, 5th in WCHA)
Head Coach: Tom Serratore, 18th Year
Top returning scorer: Charlie Combs (11G-11A)
Top returning goaltenders: Zach Driscoll (Jr.) and Henry Johnson (Jr.)

Welcome to the series, state of Minnesota.

Paul Bunyan's Pimp Chalice may no longer be contested among its teams, but it's fitting to begin our trek of Minnesota schools in the land of Bunyan, where the Beavers play up north in Bemidji.

To use a comparison that Minnesotans would like, Bemidji State's season was like a potluck. It had a bit of everything. The Beavers were hot (5-1-1 to start 2018-19), cold (0-5-1 to end 2018-19) and freezing (-15 degree outdoor hockey for Hockey Day Minnesota). When BSU scored first, the team played well (12-5-3). When BSU trailed after two periods, the team did not (0-14-3).

In between the hotdish start and jello salad finish, Tom Serratore's team being fairly consistent remains impressive. Bemidji State went into the season needing to try a few dishes to see what works after losing several core impact players throughout the lineup. The Beavers do need to replace several defensemen this time around, but it's not as much of an issue for 2019-20.

What's New: Bemidji State adds seven freshmen this season. As expected with Serratore's team and the WCHA, they aren't young. All were born before the year 2000 (...before the year 2000...).

Four are on the blue line, including Bemidji native Nick Leitner, who helped Bemidji HS to a pair of state tournament appearances, and Will Zmolek (whose father Doug was a former Gopher who played eight years in the NHL). Up front, Slovakian Samuel Solensky had 86 points (24G-62A) in 55 games for Johnstown (NAHL).

While the North Star College Cup is no more, its spirit lives on in this year's return of the Mariucci Classic. The Beavers join Minnesota, Minnesota State, and St. Cloud State contesting for in-state bragging rights. That's in addition to a non-conference trip to Grand Forks and welcoming St. Cloud State back to the Sanford Center after the two teams played at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.

Closing Thoughts: There aren't as many questions about Bemidji State that need to be answered. It's not that type of year where the Beavers enter with uncertainty. If things go well and the young blue line can get up to speed, Bemidji State should be contending for WCHA home ice and more.

The best and worst thing for BSU is that by the end of last season you knew what you were going to get yet weren't sure which team you were going to get. The Beaver offense outshot its opponents by nearly five shots per game but had streaky moments throughout the season. Not surprisingly, it's led to a middle of the pack finish.

A real reason for optimism is Zach Driscoll (coming in after transferring from St. Cloud State) and Henry Johnson both serve as a sensible goaltending platoon, continuing Bemidji State's run of solid play in net. When Serratore's teams have been successful, the main dish's recipe of success has come thanks to its defense and goaltending. That's no guarantee, but it wouldn't be surprising if the team can go back for seconds.

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