VERONA, Wis. - The Bemidji State women’s hockey team gave up two early goals to No. 5 Wisconsin, and was never able to recover in a 3-0 loss Saturday afternoon at the Eagle’s Nest.

Jinelle Zaugg got the Badgers on the board just 1:06 into the game off assists by Mallory Deluce and Meghan Duggan, and Mikka Nordby scored at the 5:35 mark off assists by Alycia Matthews and Jasmine Giles.

Even with the early 2-0 deficit, Bemidji State was still able to manage six first-period shots a day after not being able to attempt one.

The Beavers went into the penalty box one time in both of the first two periods, but were able to kill off both UW man-advantages. Wisconsin had two penalties, and Bemidji State was never able to take advantage. For the game, Bemidji State went 0-for-2 and the Badgers were 0-for-3.

The Badgers had their most shots in the second period with 17, but were unable to get another goal during that frame.

Wisconsin (23-7-2, 19-5-2 WCHA) had numerous opportunities early in the third period, including a temporary 5-on-3, but the Beavers were able to fend off numerous solid looks with the backbone of the team, goaltender Emily Brookshaw (Sr., Webster, Wisc.), saving shot after shot.

Just like the day before, BSU (4-25-3, 1-23-2 WCHA) picked up the pressure and the intensity for the final period and fought hard, controlling the puck in the UW zone for long stretches. Also, just like the day before, the Badgers picked up a third-period goal.

Duggan scored off assists from Zaugg and Deluce at the 10:39 mark, and the two teams skated to the 3-0 final.

Brookshaw finished the game with 39 saves in another great game for the Bemidji State netminder. She finished the two-game set with 81 saves. Alannah McCready got the nod in the crease for the Badgers and came away with a shutout and 12 saves.

Erin Johnson (Fr., Farmington, Minn.) and Lisa Kissick (Jr., Carman, Manitoba) led the way for the Beavers with two shots apiece. BSU was outshot by the Badgers 12-42.

With the conclusion of the four-game season series, Wisconsin becomes the only team that BSU couldn’t score on this year. Even with that, the Beavers are still the only team that shut out the Badgers this year, with the 0-0 tie coming Nov. 24 at John Glas Fieldhouse.

BSU will return to the Glas Feb. 22-23 for the last series of the regular season before the Western Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament begins. Bemidji State will take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in the regular season finale.

 

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