by Adam Wodon/Managing Editor (@CHN_AdamWodon)
Three weeks ago, the eyes of the college hockey world — at least those outside of Bemidji, Minn. — were focused on St. Thomas and Minnesota State as it battled for first place in the CCHA.
Both were great stories. St. Thomas, in just its third season in Division I, trying to win its first title. Minnesota State, winners of six straight regular-season titles, trying for another under a completely new regime.
And while everyone’s eyes were focused there — along came Bemidji State. And just like that, the Beavers swooped in, ended the season with eight straight wins, and took the crown.
BSU did it in style, too. First sweeping St. Thomas two weekends ago, including one OT win. Then, this past weekend, with just Minnesota State left in the way, the Beavers outscored the Mavericks, 8-0, for the two games, leaving no question as to the CCHA’s top team this season.
In the end, Bemidji won it in a laugher, by nine points over Michigan Tech and St. Thomas. Meanwhile, five standings points separated second from seventh.
“I mean, this league was so tight. I’ve never been in the league so tight,” Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore said. “You can just look at the points as of even three weeks ago. I think six teams could have won the league three weeks ago. So all you needed was about a two- or three-week span of being hot. But no, every game, you’re chewing your fingernails and you don’t know what the next game is going to bring or the next weekend. But it was nice for our guys.”
It’s nothing new for Serratore, now in his 23rd season behind the Bemidji State bench. This was his sixth regular-season title, the first since 2016-17, and the first in the newly-arranged CCHA.
Friday’s game was tight through the first period. In the second period, however, the floodgates opened in BSU’s favor.
Jackson Jutting got it started with two goals in the first half of the period. That was followed by two more within the next minute, and one more at the end of the period. Five goals in all. 5-0 lead. Championship.
Nattias Sholl, who missed six weeks earlier in the season with an injury, picked a heckuva time for his second shutout of the season.
With the championship locked down, Serratore was able to give senior Gavin Enright the start…
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