The University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux entertain the Bemidji State Beavers in the first round of the WCHA Playoffs at Ralph Engelstad Arena March 9-11, 2012.
Game Time: 7:37 pm CT Friday and 7:07 pm CT Saturday Night and Sunday Night (if necessary).
Records and Rankings: University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux (20-12-3 overall, 16-11-1 WCHA); The Fighting Sioux are ranked 12th in the USCHO poll the USA Today Poll. North Dakota swept Minnesota State last weekend (4-2 W, 3-0 W). Official Release
Series History: The Fighting Sioux lead the all-time series against the Bemidji State Beavers 22-2-1. The Fighting Sioux have a 14-1-1 record at home against the Beavers. The Sioux and the Beavers split the season series 1-1 in Bemidji back on November 19-20, 2011. Since losing to the Beavers back on November 20th, 2012 the Fighting Sioux have gone an impressive 16-5-2.
Radio: UND 96.1 (KQHT-FM) – The Fox.
Webcast: FightingSioux.com
TV Friday: UND Sports Network, Fox College Sports Central, DirecTV 617, MidcoSN3, theScore
TV Saturday: UND Sports Network, Fox College Sports Central, DirecTV 617, MidcoSN3
TV Sunday: UND Sports Network, Fox College Sports Central, DirecTV 617, MidcoSN3
Players to Watch:
For UND: Forwards: Danny Kristo (17g-23a—40pts), Corbin Knight (12g-22a—34pts) and Brock Nelson (23g-16a—39pts), Carter Rowney (16g-9a—25pts). Defense: Nick Mattson (6g-12a—18pts), Dillon Simpson, (1g-15a—16pts), Ben Blood (2g-15a—17pts). Goaltenders: Aaron Dell .893 save percentage and a 2.87 goals against average. Brad Eidsness .923 save percentage and a 2.09 goals against average.
UND Injuries: Taylor Dickin is out (lower body injury), Forward Rocco Grimaldi is out (season knee surgery), Brendan O’Donnell is out (season ending surgery), Derek Rodwell is out (season shoulder surgery).
For BSU Forwards: Jordan George (18g-12a—30pts), Shea Walters (12g-13a—25pts), Brance Orban (9g-13a—22pts) Aaron McLeod (8g-14a—22pts) Defense: Brad Hunt (5g-19a—24pts), Brady Wacker (4g-6a—10pts) Matt Prapavessi (1g-12a—13pts) Goaltenders: Dan Bakala .914 save percentage and a 2.57 goals against average, Andrew Walsh .915 save percentage and a 2.37 goals against average.
Other WCHA Series (March 9-11 best of three series): Alaska Anchorage at Minnesota, Wisconsin at Denver, Nebraska Omaha at Saint Cloud State, Michigan Tech at Colorado College, Minnesota State at Minnesota Duluth.