GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Women's Hockey team salvaged a Western Collegiate Hockey Association series split with No. 13 Minnesota State University, Mankato after a 2-1 comeback victory over the Mavericks at the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum Face-Off Classic at Yanmar Arena in Grand Rapids, Minn. The Beavers stormed back from a one-goal deficit in the first to score the next two goals while senior Ava Hills was dominant in net stopping 29-of-30 Maverick shots to claim the victory.
 
It was the Beavers third victory over a nationally ranked opponent this season and snapped a seven-game losing streak.
 
Shelby Sandberg scored the game-winning goal, finding the net once on two shots. Raeley Carney contributed an assist and excelled in the faceoff circle, winning 81-percent of her draws. Izy Fairchild added a power-play goal and blocked three shots while finishing with a 57-percent faceoff success rate. As a team, the Beavers won 58-percent of their faceoffs and won a season-high 34 in the circle.
 
The first period opened with Bemidji State winning the initial faceoff, setting the pace early. However, the Mavericks took the lead at 9:17 when Taylor Otremba scored an even-strength goal assisted by Zoe Lopez and Mercury Bischoff. Bemidji State responded promptly as Fairchild capitalized on a power play at 16:35, with assists from Carmen Bray and Morgan Smith, to tie the game. The period concluded with a 1–1 score, as both teams' goaltenders, Hills for Bemidji State and Hailey Hansen for the Mavericks, made several key saves to maintain the deadlock.
 
Bemidji State and MSU remained scoreless throughout the second period despite numerous attempts from both sides. Bemidji State consistently won faceoffs, with Morgan Smith leading several victories, but their shots, including one by Kate Johnson at 18:53, were saved by Hailey Hansen. The Mavericks' power play midway through the period was thwarted by Ava Hills' goaltending, denying attempts such as Ayla Puppe's shot at 13:46. A late penalty against MSU's Mercury Bischoff gave Bemidji State a power-play opportunity, but they failed to capitalize before the period ended.
 
In a tightly contested third period, Bemidji State's Shelby Sandberg scored the game-winning goal at 12:03. The goal, assisted by Raeley Carney and Kasey Senden, gave Bemidji State a 2-1 lead. The period featured strong defensive play, with Izy Fairchild blocking multiple shots to maintain the advantage. The Mavericks pulled their goalie in the final minutes but were unable to find the equalizer, with Ava Hills making key saves to secure the victory for Bemidji State.
 
Hills finished with 29 saves and collected her second win of the season to move to 2-7-1. Hills also led the Beavers penalty kill denying the Mavericks on both of their opportunities including a five-minute major in the second period. Bemidji State went 1-for-3 on its three power-play opportunities.
 
Bemidji State improves to 6-19-3 and 3-18-1 in WCHA play matching last season's win total.
 
The Beavers now prepare to hit the road next weekend for a WCHA series at University of Minnesota Duluth Feb. 6-7.
 
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 hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association 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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