SHAKOPEE, Minn. – Outside in the elements for Hockey Day in Minnesota, No. 3 University of Minnesota prevailed over the Bemidji State University Women's Hockey team Saturday afternoon defeating the Beavers 3-1 outside at Valleyfair Amusement Park in Shakopee, Minn.
 
In their second appearance at Hockey Day in Minnesota, the Beavers battled the wind, cold and third-ranked Golden Gophers attempting to salvage a Western Collegiate Hockey Association series split but Minnesota struck early and held on to a two-goal lead to claim the series sweep.

Freshman goaltender Kaitlin Groess made 35-of-38 saves for the Beavers while freshman Morgan Smith netted a power-play goal, her eighth goal of the season.
 
Emma Kreisz opened the scoring for the Gophers 7:16 into the first period and then Abbey Murphy scored her third goal of the season 3:30 later to push their lead to two after the first period.
 
In the second period, Gracie Graham extended the Gophers lead to three 5:55 into the frame but the Beavers stopped Minnesota's scoring streak 2:35 later when freshman Morgan Smith scored on a five-on-three power play for her eighth goal of the season. Freshman Hailey Armstrong and senior Makenna Deering earned assists on the play.
 

Morgan Smith scores on the 5-on-3 and the Beavers are on the board!!#GoBeavers #BeaverTerritory pic.twitter.com/aPV5wlbhIN

— Bemidji State Women's Hockey (@BSUBeaversWHKY) January 25, 2025

The goal was also the sixth power-play goal of the season for Smith tying her third-most in a single season in program history.
 
However, the Gophers defense dominated the final period limiting the Beavers to just one shot on goal and claimed the series the finale victory 3-1.
 
The Beavers fall to 4-22-1 (2-18-0 WCHA) and now make the trip back North to Bemidji where they prepare for their first home games since Nov. 16. Bemidji State hosts Minnesota State University, Mankato next weekend at Sanford Center for a two-game, WCHA series Jan. 31-Feb. 1.
 
For more information on the Bemidji State women's hockey program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on X or Instagram, or like them on Facebook.
 
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's and women's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
 
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