Thursday’s unanimous vote by the 10-member Western Collegiate Hockey Association to lift its membership moratorium was a key step for Bemidji (Minn.) State to join the Denver-based league during its annual meetings in April.
It was not, however, a move that would entice Air Force to join Bemidji State and make the WCHA a 12-team league — with five teams from Minnesota and three from Colorado.
Falcons coach Frank Serratore — whose brother Tom is the coach at Bemidji State — is not in favor of moving his team from the 10-team Atlantic Hockey Association.
Air Force (15-4-1), two-time defending AHA playoff champion, is in its third season in the AHA after previously playing in College Hockey America with Bemidji State. The CHA said it would fold after the 2009-10 season, putting Bemidji State and fellow league members Niagara, Robert Morris and Alabama-Huntsville in panic mode.
“Atlantic Hockey provided us with a safe haven, and if it wasn’t for Atlantic Hockey, we’d be passengers on the Titanic with Bemidji State right now,” Frank Serratore said. “We feel loyalty to Atlantic Hockey. We all saw this thing coming with the CHA, and Atlantic Hockey took us in. We’re happy with the league, where we have a fair chance to compete for a championship every year.”
WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod has entertained thoughts of an 11-team league but would prefer 12 for scheduling purposes. The WCHA will accept membership applications until March 31, then vote on the possible additions April 26-28 during meetings in Marco Island, Fla.
A majority vote of 75 percent is required for acceptance.
Meanwhile, Air Force enters its AHA series this weekend against visiting Canisius on a 2-4-1 skid, after beginning 13-0. The Falcons haven’t played since Jan. 4, ending a four-game, seven-night stretch.
“We had a good first half, and then a little holiday there, after the holiday,” Serratore said. “We took time off the last two weeks, and the long break was definitely not good for our legs, but in the long term I think it’s going to be good for our heads.
“Just the rigors of the academy, you can’t push the gas pedal all year. Something has to give, and I think that time was well spent and now behind us. We’re ready for the stretch run.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
Weekend glance
Canisius (7-8-4, 5-6-2 AHA) at No. 15 Air Force (15-4-1, 12-1-1 AHA)
What: AHA two-game series
When: Tonight and Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where: Cadet Ice Arena
TV/radio: None/KCSF 1300 AM
Notes: Air Force sophomore wing Derrick Burnett had hernia surgery Jan. 6 but was cleared to practice Wednesday and will play tonight. “It blows my mind,” coach Frank Serratore said of Burnett’s quick recovery. . . . The Falcons lead the country in scoring (4.05 goals per game), scoring margin (plus-2.30) and power-play percentage (26.8).
No. 11 Colorado College (12-7-5, 8-6-2 WCHA) at Wisconsin (12-9-3, 9-5-2 WCHA)
What: WCHA two-game series
When: Tonight, 6 p.m., and Saturday, 5 p.m. MST
Where: Kohl Center, Madison, Wis.
TV/Radio: FSN/The New 103.9 RXP
Notes: CC has not swept a two-game series in nine consecutive weekends. . . . Since beginning 0-6-1, Wisconsin has gone 12-3-2.
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
