Feb. 19, 2005
[box score]
BEMIDJI, Minn. - Bemidji State (8-22-2, 4-21-1 WCHA) played fourth-ranked Wisconsin (23-7-1, 17-7-1 WCHA) to a 1-0 game in front of a crowd of 209 Saturday afternoon at the John S. Glas Fieldhouse.
After giving up four goals in just 24 minutes of playing time yesterday, Beaver goalie Emily Brookshaw turned in a superb performance today, stopping 40 of the 41 shots she faced. Brookshaw kept the Bemidji State charge within striking distance, but the Beavers were unable to even the score.
In the first period, the Beavers were out-shot 15-5, but strong goaltending by Brookshaw and Wisconsin netminder Meghan Horras sent the first period to intermission scoreless.
Early in the second period the Badgers were able to slip a the only goal from either team by Brookshaw to take a 1-0 lead at the 17:45 mark. Last year’s WCHA Rookie of the Year Sara Bauer, who entered the weekend ranked seventh in scoring in the WCHA, notched the goal on a feed from junior wing Sharon Cole.
A quick flurry of shots in the middle of period two by the Beavers gave them their best chance to solve the Badger’s Horras. But, Wisconsin goalie was up to the challenge, turning away consecutive shots by BSU’s Kate Robinson (So.; Shanty Bay, Ont.) and wing Jessica Pullar (Fr.; Elk River, Minn.).
The defensive battle ensued in period three as Wisconsin managed 11 shots on goal to just three for the Beavers. A tripping penalty by the Badgers’ Jackie Friesen gave the Beavers a glimmer of hope with just 1:10 remaining in the game. Bemidji State also pulled Brookshaw to create a six-on-four extra attacker situation with 35 seconds left, but an interference penalty by BSU’s Tara Hiscock (Fr.; Bemidji, Minn.) left the Beavers five-on-four during the last 15 seconds. Bemidji State was unable to capitalize as time expired.
Although facing the third-best scoring team and fourth-best power-play team in the nation, the BSU blueliners held the Badgers to an all-time series low between the two teams. Until today the Beavers had only held Wisconsin to less than three goals on two other occasions in the teams now 26-game history.
The Beavers’ Brookshaw, despite a stellar effort in net, picked up the loss to drop her record to 5-11-1 for the season. Her 40 saves set a new career high, and were the most for a Bemidji State goalie since Jill Luebke (Jr.; Neenah, Wis.) stopped 42 shots in a 5-2 loss on Oct. 23, 2004 against the University of Minnesota.
Wisconsin’s Meghan Horras picked up her second consecutive shutout victory over the Beavers to improve her season record to 17-5-1.
The Beavers play the final two games of a four-game homestand when they finish the regular season at the John S. Glas Fieldhouse against North Dakota on Feb. 25-26 with games slated for 7:05 p.m. and 2:05 p.m. Bemidji State split a series at North Dakota earlier this year coming back to win the second game 5-2, after dropping game one 6-4 despite a hat trick from Nikki Eckebrecht (So.; Hamilton, Ont.).
-bsu-
