MANKATO, Minn. (All Seasons Arena) - Minnesota State rode a stand out performance by goaltender Britni Kehler to take the series finale over the Beavers 5-1. Minnesota State scored five unanswered goals to pick up a weekend series split with Bemidji State.

It took Bemidji State just over ten minutes into the first period to score the games first goal. Mandy Bambrough (Toronto, Ontario) put the Beavers up 1-0 on her first goal of the season at 11:06 of the period. Jessica Pullar (Elk River, Minn.) and Kate Robinson (Shanty Bay, Ontario) picked up the helpers on Bambrough’s goal. The goal by Bambrough was her first goal since November 7, 2004 when she scored a goal against North Dakota.

The lead would only last just over two minutes when Shera Vis picked up her fifth goal of the season at 13:46 of the frame. Kristnina Bunker and Lindsay Macy picked up the assist on the game tying goal. Bemidji State out-shot the Mavericks 14-to-10 in the period, but the score would remain in a deadlock going into the first intermission.

The Mavericks would take the lead just :22 seconds into the second period when Amanda Stohr netted a short handed goal to put the Mavericks up 2-1 early in the second period. Kristina Bunker would pick up her second assist on the evening on Stohr’s go ahead and game winning goal. The short handed goal was Stohr’s second short handed goal of the weekend series. Stohr’s goal was the lone goal of the period and the Mavericks held a 2-1 lead going into the final frame.

The third period of play saw Minnesota State capitalize on all three of its power-play opportunities. Tara Hiscock was called for slashing at 1:19 of the third period, and that penalty allowed Minnesota State to push its lead to 3-1. With an assist from Kistina Bunker and Ashley Young, Chritina Lee picked up her seventh goal of the season. Just under the ten minute mark Mandy Bambrough was called for hooking at 9:51 to put the Mavericks back on the power-play. Once again the Mavericks would take advantage and push its lead to 4-1. Noelle Needham picked up her sixth goal of the season at 10:28 of the period. Helping on the goal was Amanda Stohr and Jodi Helminen.

Late in the final frame Nicole Rawling was called for interference at 17:17, and that penalty allowed Minnesota State to push its lead to 5-1. Christina Lee picked up her second power-play goal of the period and her seventh goal of the season at 17:56 of the final frame to net the Mavericks fifth goal of the contest. Ashley Young and Maggie Fisher picked up the assists on Minnesota State’s final goal of the game.

Minnesota State out shot Bemidji State 19-to-5 in the final frame and 42-to-29 in the game.

Emily Brookshaw (Webster, Wis.) stopped 37 of 42 shots faced, dropping her record to 4-11-2 on the season. This was the first loss for Brookshaw against Minnesota State in Mankato, Minn. in her career.

Britni Kehler saved 28 of 29 shots for the Mavericks, seeing her record improve to 7-10-1 with the win.

The teams drew 16 penalties, nine minor penalties going to Bemidji State and seven minor penalties going to Minnesota State. Bemidji State went 0-for-5 on the power-play while Minnesota State was 3-for-7 on the man-advantage. All three Minnesota State power-play goals were recorded in the third period.

Bemidji State fell to 5-11-2 overall with tonight’s loss and 3-8-1 in WCHA play, while Minnesota State improved to 7-11-1 and 5-10-1 in WCHA play. BSU will continue its four game road swing in WCHA action next weekend, Dec. 16-17, when it will travel to Grand Forks, N.D. to take on North Dakota in a two-game Western Collegiate Hockey Association series. Faceoffs are set for 2:07 on both Saturday and Sunday from the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D.

--beavers--