MANKATO, Minn. (All Seasons Arena) - Bemidji State’s Kelly Hart (Ajax, Ontario) picked up a goal and an assist to lead Bemidji State to a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota State Mavericks in Mankato, Minn. Bemidji State goaltender Emily Brookshaw (Webster, Wis.) stopped 20 of 22 shots to pick up her fourth win of the season.

It took Minnesota State just under five minutes into the first period to score the games first goal. Amanda Stohr put the Mavericks up 1-0 on her fourth goal of the season at 4:40 of the period. Andreanne Thibau and Brittany Mackley picked up the helpers on Stohr’s goal.

The lead would only last just over two minutes when Jenn Sadler (Pickering, Ontario) picked up an unassisted goal at 6:42 of the frame. Sadler’s goal was an unassisted goal and it was her team leading sixth goal of the season for the Beavers. The score would remain tied until 16:07 of the period when Kelly Hart (Ajax, Ontario) would break up the deadlock, picking up her fourth goal of the season. Helping on Hart’s go-ahead goal was Nikki Eckebrecht (Hamilton, Ontario) and Mandy Bambrough (Toronto, Ontario).

Bemidji State out-shot the Mavericks 11-to-7 in the period and held a 2-1 advantage going into the first intermission.

Sammy Olson was called for high sticking at 9:40 of the second period, and that penalty allowed Bemidji State to push its lead to 3-1. With an assist from Haley Balcom (Elk River, Minn.), Ashley Leopold (Afton, Minn.) picked up her second goal on the season at 10:32 of the period. Leopold’s goal would stand as the eventual game winner which was Leopold’s first game-winning goal of her career.

Just over two-minutes later the Beavers would push its lead to 4-1 on Kate Robinson’s (Shanty Bay, Ontario) fourth goal of the season. Picking up the lone helper on the goal was Jessica Pullar (Elk River, Minn.), her first assist of the season. Amanda Stohr would score her second goal of the game on the penalty kill to bring the Mavericks back with a to goal deficit at 4-2. Helping on the short handed goal was Lindsay Macy. Going into the second intermission the Beavers held a 4-2 lead over the Mavericks.

Just :49 seconds into the third period Ashley Young was called for hooking to put the Beavers back on the power-play. With the man-advantage Bemidji State would push its lead to 5-2. With assists from Kelly Hart (Ajax, Ontario) and Kate Robinson (Shanty Bay, Ontario), Helena Tageson (Malmo, Sweden) picked up her sixth goal on the season at 1:17 of the period. Tageson’s goal tied her for the team lead with Jenn Sadler with six goals.

Tageson’s goal was the lone goal of the third period which allowed the Beavers to skate to a 5-2 victory in Mankato, Minn.

Brookshaw saved 20 of 22 shots faced in 60:00 of work, improving her record to 4-10-2 on the season. This was Brookshaw’s fourth career win over the Mavericks and her fourth victory in Mankato, Minn.

Britini Kehler saved 22 of 27 shots in 60:00 of work, dropping her record to 6-10-1 on the season.

With the two points in the contest Kelly Hart recorded her 90th career point for Bemidji State. She also picked up her 60th assist in her career putting her just three assists shy of tying Amber Fryklund’s all-time mark of 63 assists.

The teams drew 18 penalties in the contest, nine on Minnesota State and nine on Bemidji State. Minnesota State went 0-for-7 on the power-play while Bemidji State went 2-for-7 on the power-play in the game. Bemidji State has scored at least one power-play goal in its last five games. Bemidji State is 7-for-24 (.292) in its last five games on the power-play.

Bemidji State (5-10-2 / 3-7-1 WCHA) and Minnesota State (6-11-1 / 4-10-1 WCHA) wrap up their two-game series tomorrow evening. Opening faceoff from All Seasons Arena in Mankato, Minn. is slated for 7:37 p.m. Central time.

--beavers--