Oct. 22—BEMIDJI — If Tom Serratore wished to be actually choosy, the Bemidji State males's hockey staff's first bye week of the 2026-27 season would've been subsequent weekend.
As an alternative, the Beavers are popping out of per week off after being swept in a pair of shut video games in opposition to now No. 3 North Dakota in a home-and-home sequence.
It's in all probability not the best time for a bye week," mentioned Serratore, BSU's 26-year head coach. "Perhaps this weekend (would have) been so we might get three sequence in, nevertheless it's all the time one thing you try to benefit from."
It's not that Serratore doesn't admire an early bye week, particularly when virtually half his roster is new to this system this season. It's an opportunity to reset with video games on tape in hand.
"I might've slightly grabbed Ferris State — we play them subsequent weekend — and performed them final weekend. They have been off, too, after which we might've had a bye on the finish of October," he continued. "However I like having an October bye, I actually do."
In some methods, it comes at a great time for the Beavers, contemplating the opponent on the schedule this weekend. They may start a home-and-home sequence in opposition to No. 8/9 Minnesota Duluth with a 7:07 p.m. highway recreation at Amsoil Area earlier than ending the sequence at 6:07 p.m. on the Sanford Middle in Bemidji on Saturday.
Bemidji State is 1-9-1 in opposition to UMD in its final 11 video games. It was swept final 12 months and gave up 12 targets within the two mid-October contests. The Bulldogs are 3-1-2 and are coming off of a 7-1 win and a 2-2 tie at dwelling in opposition to Minnesota.
"Life doesn't get any simpler for the Beavers, (beginning) with St. Cloud (State), North Dakota and now the Bulldogs," Serratore mentioned. "I watched them final week in opposition to Minnesota, they usually appeared actually good.
"It's a typical Duluth staff — they play quick, they play arduous, they're disciplined they usually're well-coached. 12 months in and 12 months out, Scott Sandelin and his workers do one of the best job in school hockey of any program, for a large number of causes. I’ve a number of respect for his or her program."
Each junior captain and defenseman Luke Roelofs and sophomore ahead Rylan Gould appreciated day without work, however have been antsy to play final weekend.
"Particularly early within the 12 months, when you get within the routine of the season a bit bit, I feel you're simply tremendous keen," Roelofs mentioned. "A whole lot of guys wished to play final weekend, nevertheless it's good to relaxation your physique a bit bit and are available again this week with some good days of follow. The fellows are able to play once more, for certain."
Minnesota Duluth's top-six ahead group is definitely prolific, however one participant particularly has had an abundance of success in opposition to Bemidji's hockey packages.
Junior Jayson Shaugabay, who hails from Warroad, has given the house devoted matches since he was in highschool. In seven video games in opposition to the Bemidji Lumberjacks, Shaugabay scored 9 targets and 12 assists. He had a minimum of some extent in each recreation and scored in all however one in every of them.
The pattern continued when he obtained to UMD. In 4 video games in opposition to the Beavers, Shaugabay has six targets and 5 assists.
"They're clearly a great staff with a number of good gamers," Gould mentioned. "In case you make a mistake, they’ll make you pay. They're going to be good down low at creating probabilities, so we’ve got to stay to our plan and good issues will come."
Over the previous two seasons, Shaugabay performed wing on the highest line with Max and Zam Plante, however UMD has shifted its traces round for 2026-27. With the emergence of Victor Plante, Max and Zam's youthful brother, they've shaped a brother trio within the video games they've all suited up.
"They're not sneaking up on us," Serratore mentioned. "You higher remember and be cognizant. It’s a must to make certain your puck administration is healthier. You might need to get the puck out of the zone a bit faster. You might need to have extra stick element. You might need to be extra bodily."
Nonetheless, Max hasn't performed since UMD's season-opening sequence resulting from an upper-body harm. He's been dominated out for each video games in opposition to BSU this weekend. Bemidji State is comparatively wholesome, however sophomore defender Ben Vigneault is unlikely to play with an undisclosed harm.
No matter Max, the 2026 Hobey Baker winner, being in or out of the lineup, Shaugabay centered a line with Hunter Anderson on his wing. SCSU switch Barrett Corridor, Harper Bentz and Luke Bibby have all performed on the wing subsequent to Shaugabay as effectively.
Shaugabay is at present tied for fourth within the nation in factors (9) with one objective and eight assists. Defenseman Ty Hanson has 4 targets and 4 assists, whereas Anderson has three targets and 4 helpers.
"Their prime two traces are all the time clicking at a excessive pace," Roelofs mentioned. "We're going to need to be defensively sound — play with our heads and know the place guys are always. They're large, quick and robust, and we're going to have our arms full."
Through the digital CCHA Media Day, Serratore spoke about senior captain and CCHA Preseason Participant of the 12 months Oliver Peer and his expectations.
He's coming off a season the place he had 20 targets and 16 assists. Serratore was cautious in forecasting what his second and remaining season for the Beavers would appear to be, figuring out that Peer is now a recognized commodity in school hockey.
By way of three video games, Peer has one help. He's performed all three with two new wingers — rookie Ethan Miedema and fifth-year switch Carter Rapalje. However his slower begin points-wise isn't distinctive.
A number of the different CCHA Preseason Crew members have but to place up gaudy level totals. Michigan Tech's Max Koskipirtti has two assists in six video games. Bowling Inexperienced senior ahead Ben Doran has but to crack the scoresheet by six video games. Others, like MTU's Isaac Gordon (1g-2a—3p) and Breck McKinley (1g-2a—3p), are off to hotter begins.
"It comes with the territory," Serratore mentioned of Peer garnering extra consideration from opposing groups. "He's a ball participant, and he had 20 targets final 12 months, however particularly after we go on the highway, they're going to get their matchups. They know when (No.) 22 is on the ice, identical to we all know when (the Plantes) are on the ice, when Shaugabay's on the ice."
A part of Peer's begin is because of the particular groups struggles. Bemidji State has but to transform on a 5-on-4 energy play this season. BSU's man-advantage models are changing at simply 10%, which is tied for forty fifth within the nation out of 55 groups which have performed a regular-season recreation.
The penalty kill ranks fiftieth at 66.7%.
"Our particular groups proper now, clearly, they aren't the place we wish them to be," Serratore mentioned. "However you certain as heck don't wish to panic and overreact after three video games. It's all the time a piece in progress. However you ask me (about what we have to enhance) 15 video games from now, you ask me that in January, the reply might be going to be the identical factor as a result of these are the components of your recreation, particularly energy play, are all the time going to be a bit little bit of a curler coaster."
