UMD Women Fall to BSU

NSO – NEWS RELEASE

There were certainly any number of factors in play for the No. 7 University of Minnesota Duluth women’s hockey team Saturday afternoon, but Bemidji State University was by far the biggest.

The only team to find a way to defeat UMD since mid October did it again, this time at AMSOIL Arena, as the Beavers set the Bulldogs back 4-1.  With the loss, UMD (12-6-3, 7-6-2-2) drops to fifth place in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, one point behind BSU (13-9-1, 8-8-1-1) and five points behind Ohio State University that took over third place with a sweep of St. Cloud State University this weekend.

“Obviously we haven’t played together for a month, we knew we would be shaky today, it was to be expected,” said head coach Shannon Miller following the game.  “I thought we were o.k. in the first period, I thought we were excellent in the second period, we had a lot of good scoring chances, maybe three or four really good opportunities.”

BSU got on the board first after Whitney Wivoda picked up an errant puck and threaded it past Kayla Black‘s glove with just 19 seconds remaining in the first period.

Senior forward Zoe Hickel would equalize 8:48 into the second period scoring her team-leading 13th goal of the season.  Hickel finished off a brilliant passing sequence between Ashleigh Brykaliuk and Lara Stalder from the right circle that beat BSU netminder Brittni Mowat low and under her blocker.  Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, it would be the only goal Mowat would concede for the rest of the afternoon.

Kaitlyn Tougas put the Beavers ahead for good at 12:10 of the second period, and BSU a power play shot tipped from the point at 15:57 stretched their lead to 3-1.

“I thought we gave up and got frustrated in the third period because we played so well in the second period and didn’t score,” said Miller.  “I thought the body language became negative and people didn’t respond with that killer instinct you need to respond with when it’s 3-1.”

The Beavers, who had five power play attempts, netted their second power play goal of the game at 16:51 of third period.  UMD had just a single power play chance until BSU was called for tripping with 25 seconds remaining in the game.  The Bulldogs finished with 38 shots on goal, with 37 saves credited to Mowat and BSU, while the Beavers managed 25 shots and Black and UMD 21 saves.

Both teams will resume with their series tomorrow afternoon at AMSOIL, with the puck set to drop at 3:07 p.m.  Immediately following the game, UMD will hold its annual “Skate With the Bulldogs”.  All fans are welcome to skate with UMD team members after the game.  Kids 18 and under are required to bring their own helmet.

BULLDOG NOTES:  Zoe Hickel has now scored six goals in her last seven outings … With an assist Saturday, Ashleigh Brykaliuk has now picked up a point in her last three skates, compiling three goals and two assists for five points over that span.