Beavers begin WCHA play at No. 2 Minnesota

The Bemidji State University women’s hockey team hits the road again this weekend to begin Western Collegiate Hockey Association play. The Beavers (2-1-1) travel to Minneapolis, Minn., to face No. 2 University of Minnesota at Ridder Arena, Friday and Saturday. The series begins Friday at 6:00 p.m., followed by the series final Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

Bemidji State opens WCHA play at No. 2 Minnesota after going 0-1-1 at No. 10 Clarkson University this past weekend.

After falling 0-5 in the first game against the Golden Knights, the Beavers responded in game two to earn a 2-2 tie.

Bemidji State opened the game with a power-play goal from sophomore Ella Anick for her first career goal. After two goals from CU, sophomore Claire Vekich tied the game at two with 9:40 left in the third period to earn the tie.

Junior goaltender Hannah Hogenson held the Golden Knights to two goals on 34 shots including stopping all 20 shots in the third and overtime periods.

Hogenson is second in the WCHA with 186:29 minutes in net this season and has posted a .900 save percentage and 2.90 goals against average.

Bemidji State is led on offense by sophomore Adriana Van De Leest who has totaled four points (4a) in three games but missed the series finale against the Golden Knights after suffering injury in game one.

She is followed by juniors Taylor Nelson (2g-1a) and Gabbie Smith (1g-2a) who each have posted three points.

Nelson, Vekich and freshman Raeley Carney lead the team with two goals with Carney pacing the team with two power-play goals.

Bemidji State has scored on four of its nine power-play opportunities this season which is second in the conference behind St. Cloud State’s .600 percentage (3-of-5).

The Beavers’ penalty kill has denied opponents of 12-of-14 chances, the most in the WCHA, and are third behind Minnesota State and St. Cloud State who have yet to allow a power-play goal.