Box Score BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University women's hockey team scored two power-play goals including the game-winning goal in the third period to earn a 3-2 victory over Minnesota State University, Mankato in game one of their series Friday night. With the win, the Beavers earned three points in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings and now trail the Mavericks by four points for fifth place.
Freshman Claire Vekich scored the game-winning, power-play goal with 8:58 to play in the third period to propel the Beavers to their seventh victory of the season. Vekich added an assist to bring her points total to two while fifth-year senior Paige Beebe earned the primary assists on both the game-tying goal and game winner in the third period.
Seven Beavers recorded a point in the game including Lydia Passolt who scored the game-tying goal 3:05 into the third period to extend her consecutive goal-scoring streak to three games.
Sophomore Hannah Hogenson backstopped the Beavers and earned her sixth win of the season after turning aside 26-of-28 shots by the Mavericks.
After a scoreless first period, Minnesota State opened the scoring 6:18 into the second period when Brittyn Fleming netted a power-play goal for the Mavericks. Bemidji State was quick to respond however, and just 4:32 after, sophomore Taylor Nelson netted a power-play goal of her own to tie the game. For Nelson, it was her third goal of the season and her first marker while on the power play. She was assisted by Vekich and freshman Makenna Deering to earn their fourth assists of the season. Just as soon as the Beavers tied the game, the Mavericks retook the lead when Kelsey King netted her 10th goal of the season just 30 seconds after Vekich's tally. Minnesota State would head into the locker room with the 2-1 lead despite BSU holding a 22-21 shot advantage.
The third period would be dominated by the Beavers after holding most of the play in their offensive zone. The Beavers broke through to score the tying goal 3:05 into the third period when Passolt beat goaltender Calla Frank for her fifth goal of the season and extended her consecutive goal scoring streak to three games. Bemidji State would then go on to earn its third power play of the game and capitalized when Vekich batted in a loose puck in front of Frank for the eventual game-winning goal with 8:58 left to play.
Hogenson and the Beavers held the Mavericks off of the scoresheet in the third period by turning aside seven shots during the frame and finished with 26 saves on 28 shots. She improves to 6-7-2 on the season with the win.
Frank stopped 30-of-33 shots by the Beavers and falls to 8-8-0 this season.
The Beavers finished the game two-for-three on the power play for their first multi-goal game with the extra attacker while their penalty kill denied the Mavericks on two of their three chances.
Bemidji State will attempt at its third series sweep of the season tomorrow afternoon when the two teams meet again at 3:01 p.m., at Sanford Center.
Nestled in Northern Minnesota's wooden region and located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, BSU sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's and women's hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
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