Bemidji State twice rallied from one-goal deficits to pull even, but Alabama-Huntsville scored a pair of unanswered goals, including an empty-netter, in the final 3:50 of the third period to complete a two-game CHA series sweep, 4-2.
The loss, coupled with a 2-1 defeat last night, gives Bemidji State its first back-to-back losses in CHA play since a three-game losing streak from Feb. 7-21, 2003, and marks the first time BSU has been swept in a CHA series since dropping 4-2 and 6-1 decisions at Wayne State on Feb. 7-8, 2003.
The Chargers drew first blood on Mike Salekin’s seventh goal of the season at 6:51 of the first period. Cody Bostock and Jean-Guy Gervais drew penalties 47 seconds apart to leave Huntsville with a five-on-three power play, and the Chargers converted to grab the early lead.
The lead held into the second period, when the Beavers drew even on the second goal of the season from Riley Weselowski.
The Chargers recaptured the lead midway through the third, setting off a wild stretch which would see the teams combine for four goals in a span of just 9:43. With help from Grant Selinger, Todd Bentley hammered home his seventh goal of the season to break the tie and put the Chargers ahead, 2-1, at 9:40.
The lead lasted exactly one minute, as Blaine Jarvis scored unassisted for his fifth lamp-lighter of the season at 10:40.
Gervais drew a roughing minor at 14:27 which led to the seventh Charger power-play opportunity of the contest, and Alabama-Huntsville would convert for the eventual game-winner. Steve Canter, with help from Shaun Arvai and David Nimmo, scored his ninth of the season with 17 seconds left on the man advantage to give the Chargers a lead they would not relinquish.
Bemidji State pulled goaltender Layne Sedevie for an extra attacker with 1:09 to play, but it took the Chargers only 22 seconds to score into the open net. Brett McConnachie found Bruce Mulherin for his 10th goal of the season to give Huntsville a 4-2 advantage en route to the victory and series sweep.
Sedevie saved 30 shots for Bemidji State in the losing effort, including 10 saves in each of the game’s three periods. He dropped to 8-4-1 on the season.
Scott Munroe picked up 36 saves in net for the Chargers to earn the victory and improve to 13-6-2. Munroe’s 36-save night was spearheaded by an 18-for-18 effort in the first period, as UAH clung to its early one-goal lead.
Bemidji State committed nine penalties for 26 minutes in the contest, drawing eight minors and a 10-minute misconduct to Rob Sirianni in the second period. Alabama-Huntsville drew just six minors for 12 minutes.
The Chargers converted on two of seven power-play opportunities, while BSU went 0-for-5. The Beavers went 0-for-16 on the power play in the series.
