BEMIDJI, Minn. - The Bemidji State University women’s hockey team used a third period comeback to end in a tie for the second straight home game. The great play of BSU freshman goaltender Jill Luebke in her first collegiate start, spurred the Beavers into a 1-1 tie in the first game of the weekend series with the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Coming into the game, these teams were as close statistically as two teams could be. Each team came into weekend with 2-2 records tied for third place in the WCHA and each had two wins and four losses over all. On the season BSU had 16 goals scored and 16 goals given up. OSU had 15 scored and 15 given up. Tonight the teams were again the mirror images of each other.

In the 1-1 tie, BSU had 25 shots on goal as opposed to OSU’s 27 and each team went 0-5 on power play opportunities.

Ohio State got on the board first when Jeni Creary netted her fifth goal of the season off a pass from Jennifer Desson as the first period horn sounded.

Luebke would hold the Buckeyes scoreless in the final two periods making 17 saves to keep BSU in the game.

Down 1-0 coming into the third the Beavers got aggressive and showed true determination out shooting the Buckeyes 9-5 in the period and one of those shots would find the back of the net. With 1:06 remaining in regulation, the Beavers pulled their goaltender in an attempt to tie the game. The decision would pay off as 18 seconds later, Lill Raynard would score the game-tying goal with assists from Mandy Bambrough and Alicia Kinsman.

In the overtime period the Beavers would have multiple chances to win the game but were stifled by the Buckeye goaltender.

After the game BSU head coach Bruce Olson commented, “Ohio State got on us quick, but we got stronger as the game went along.” The Beaver defenders bottled the Ohio State passing game up in the later stages of the game, making it tough for the team to get quality scoring opportunities and Jill Luebke in the net played a tremendous game. “She looked cool and calm in the net and made some beautiful saves. It is nice for a freshman to get a game like that,” said Olson.

The tie brings the Beavers record to 2-4-2 over all and 2-2-1 in the WCHA. They will take the ice again tomorrow night against the same Ohio State team. The puck is set to drop at 4:05 in the John S. Glas Fieldhouse.

Scoring Scored by Assist
1st Jeni Creary (5) Jennifer Desson (2)
3rd Lill Raynard (3) Mandy Bambrough (2)
Alicia Kinsman (2)

Saves
OSU Lamme (65:00) - 25 BSU Luebke (64:42) - 2

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