BEMIDJI, Minn. – No. 1 University of Wisconsin defeated the Bemidji State University Women's Hockey team 9-2 Friday night at Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minn. The Badgers' offensive surge was highlighted by a five-goal second period. The Beavers scored twice, once in each of the final two frames.
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Junior
Kate Johnson scored one goal on two shots, contributing a key point for the Beavers while freshman
Maddie Kaiser scored her first collegiate goal and recorded three shots.
Kasey Senden provided a helper while blocking one shot.
Kaitlin Groess, in goal, made 28 saves while Ashlyn Hazlet made five saves in relief.
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The first frame opened with both the Beavers and the Badgers battling for control, marked by a series of faceoffs and missed opportunities from both sides. Wisconsin's Kirsten Simms broke the deadlock at 4:21, scoring the first goal of the game with a helper from Lacey Eden, putting the visitors ahead 1-0. Groess, was tested throughout the period, making several critical saves to keep the deficit at one. Despite Bemidji State's efforts, Wisconsin maintained their lead with a strong offensive presence, outshooting the home team as the period concluded with a 1-0 advantage for the visitors.
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The second period saw an offensive surge from the Badgers, beginning with Eden's goal at 10:57, assisted by Ava Murphy and Simms, pushing their lead to 2-0. BSU responded quickly with Kaiser's goal at 9:56, assisted by
Carmen Bray and Senden, narrowing the gap to 2-1. However, Wisconsin's Maggie Scannell extended the lead again with a goal at 5:49, assisted by Cassie Hall and Laney Potter. Scannell struck once more at 2:59, followed by Simms at 2:07, pushing the score to 5-1. Hall capped the period for Wisconsin with a final goal at 00:19, resulting in a 6-1 advantage by the end of the period.
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In the third period, Wisconsin's Charlotte Pieckenhagen scored at 16:41, assisted by Finley McCarthy, increasing their lead to 8-1. Bemidji State responded quickly with Johnson netting an unassisted goal at 15:26, bringing the score to 8-2. Wisconsin continued to dominate, as Eden scored at 11:03, assisted by Adéla Šapovalivová. Scanbnell secured a hat trick with her goal at 10:06, assisted by Murphy and Kelly Gorbatenko, extending Wisconsin's lead to 9-2. BSU's defense and goaltender
Ashlyn Hazlett faced a barrage of shots throughout the frame, with Wisconsin maintaining control despite a late power play opportunity for the Beavers following a penalty on Scannell.
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Bemidji State falls to 0-1-0 (0-1-0 WCHA) after the first game of the season while Wisconsin improved to 1-0-0 (1-0-0 WCHA).
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The Beavers and Badgers close out their Western Collegiate Hockey Association series tomorrow afternoon with game two at 3:02 p.m.
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For more information on the Bemidji State women's hockey program, tickets or schedules, visit
BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on
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Facebook.
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