COLUMBUS, Ohio (OSU Ice Rink) -Bemidji State’s Kate Robinson (Shanty Bay, Ontario) picked up a power-play goal at 16:52 of the third period to force overtime in a 1-1 Western Collegiate Hockey Association draw with the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Bemidji State came out in the first period of play and controlled much of the offensive action as the Beavers out-shot the Buckeyes 11-to-5 in the first frame of the game. Despite posting 11 shots in the period the Beavers were unable to break the Buckeye goaltender Liana Bonanno and the two teams went into the first intermission in a 0-0 deadlock.

Bemidji State’s Kate Robinson was called for interference at 3:20 of the second period to put the Buckeyes on the power-play. Ohio State took advantage of the man-advantage and was able to tally the games first goal at 5:16 of the period. Hayley Klassen recorded her sixth goal of the season for the Buckeyes with help from Shelby Aldous and Megan Hostasek to give Ohio State the 1-0 lead. This was the first lead the Buckeyes had held over the Beavers in the two game weekend series.

The 1-0 lead held through the second period. Bemidji State continued its outstanding offensive play out-shooting Ohio State 11-to-10 in the second period. Behind solid play by both goaltenders the one goal edge held for the home team.

The Beavers picked up the pace in the third period, putting up 14 shots on goal in the third period.
The increased shot prodcution paid off, as BSU pulled even with just over three-minutes left to play in the contest. Ohio State’s Krysta Skarda was called for interference at 16:01, and Robinson fired the puck past Ohio State netminder Liana Bonanno to balance the scoreboard at 1-1 at 16:52 of the third. She was assisted by Kelly Hart (Ajax, Ontario) and Helena Tageson (Malmo, Sweden).

The assist by Hart was her ninth of the season and her 62nd assist of her career. With this assist Hart moves into a tie for career assists with Lill Raynard and it puts her just one assist shy of moving into a first place tie with Amber Frykland.

Robinson’s power-play goal forced overtime, as the 1-1 draw held through the end of regulation.
Brookshaw saved 25 of 26 shots faced, including 11-of-11 in the third period and overtime, balancing her record to 7-11-3.

Bonanno saved 37 of 38 shots faced for the Buckeyes, seeing her record move to 1-3-1 with the draw.
The teams drew a combined 12 penalties, five minor penalties on Bemidji State and seven minor penlties on Ohio State. Ohio State went 1-for-5 on the man-advantage while Bemidji State was 1-for-7 on the power-play. Bemidji State has scored a power-play goal in seven of its last ten games.

The draw left BSU’s all-time record against Ohio State at 11-19-5 and 5-9-1 in Columbus. Bemidji State is 4-2-2 in its last eight regular-season matchups with the Buckeyes.

With the draw Bemidji State’s unbeaten streak moves to four games, the longest of the season. Bemidji State is 4-1-1 in its last six WCHA contest.

Bemidji State (8-11-3 / 6-8-2 WCHA) will return home after its six game road swing to host North Dakota on Jan. 12-13 in a WCHA weekend series. The series will be the second and final series between the Beavers and Fighting Sioux; BSU posted 3-1 and 2-1 wins over North Dakota in Grand Forks, N.D. on Dec. 16-17. Opening faceoffs are scheduled for 7:07 p.m. and 2:07 p.m. Central time, respectively, from BSU’s John S. Glas Fieldhouse.

--beavers--