Jan. 29, 2005

[box score]

DULUTH, Minn. - Bemidji State got on the board first and skated the first period to a tie, but were unable to hold on over the final two periods to upset Minnesota Duluth. The Beavers saw their overall record fall to 6-17-2 (2-16-1 WCHA), while the third-ranked Bulldogs improved their win-loss totals improve to 19-2-2 (17-2-2 WCHA).

Bemidji State jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with a goal at the 8:34 mark in the first period. Tara Hiscock (Fr.; Bemidji, Minn.) sliced by the Bulldog defense to put the puck in the back of the net against the first-ranked penalty kill team in the nation. Hiscock’s eighth marker of the year was assisted by Jenny Schnickel (Sr.; Coon Rapids, Minn.) and Kate Robinson (So.; Shanty Bay, Ontario).
Robinson’s assist started a two-game point scoring streak.

The Bulldogs were able to answer with their own power play goal by Caroline Ouellette to even the score at 1-1 to end the first period. Shortly after the intermission, Minnesota Duluth took a 2-1 lead on an unassisted goal by Jessica Koizumi merely 31 seconds in the second period.

This time the Beavers were able to answer with a goal from Helena Tageson (So.; Malmö, Sweden) to tie up the game 2-2. Helpers by Mandy Bambrough (Jr.; Toronto, Ontario) and Nikki Eckebrecht (So.; Hamilton Ontario) allowed Tageson to score her fifth goal of the season.

The two Beaver goals weren’t enough to hold the second period lead as Noemie Marin netted the first of two goals she would score to end the period a 3-2 Bulldog lead.

The third period was taken over by the Bulldogs with Ouellette, Koizumi, and Marin all scoring their second goal of the night to propel the Bulldogs to a 6-2 win. The Beavers were outshot in the period 12-3.

Minnesota Duluth’s Caroline Ouellette finished the game with five points (2g, 3a) and teammate Jessica Koizumi finished with four points (2g, 2a).

BSU’s Jill Luebke (Jr.: Neenah, Wis.) turned aside 35 shots in the loss to see her season record fall to 3-11-1. Anna-Kaisa Piiroinen stayed undefeated (3-0-1) for the Bulldogs on the season, while stopping 18 Beaver shots.

The Beavers finish off the weekend series at Minnesota Duluth on Sunday with a game slated for 2:05 p.m.

-bsu-