Minnesota State University, Mankato scored twice in the final 20 minutes to comeback and defeat the Bemidji State University Women’s Hockey team 3-2 Friday night in their Western Collegiate Hockey Association series opener.

With the loss the Beavers fall to 5-25-1 on the season and 2-23-0 in WCHA play.

Minnesota State opened the game by scoring first just 4:22 after the opening puck drop when Madison Mashuga found the back of the net. The Beavers were able to respond before the period’s end and with 6:07 left in the opening frame, senior Reece Hunt one-timed a Genevieve Hendrickson pass to score her fifth goal of the season and second in as many games.

The score would remain tied after the first 20 minutes and remained that way through most of the second period. However, with just 2:36 left in the second freshman McKayla Zilisch banked the puck off the back of the goaltender to score her first collegiate goal and give the Beavers a 2-1 lead right before the second intermission.

Bemidji State would head into the locker-room with the one-goal lead but the Mavericks wasted little time in the third period to even the score and eventually retake the lead. Kelsey King tied the game at two just 3:22 into the final period then just 2:24 later, Mashuga scored her second of the game that would eventually prove to be the game-winning goal.

Minnesota State finished the game out-shooting the Beavers 29-21 in the game with junior Hannah Hogenson making 26 saves for the Beavers.

The Beavers totaled three power-play chances in the game but came up empty on all three chances while their penalty kill held the Mavericks scoreless on their two opportunities.

Bemidji State will attempt to salvage a series split with the Mavericks when the two teams meet for game two tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.

Tune into our pregame coverage today beginning at 2:30 p.m. CST on 94.3 FM The Legends in Bemidji or online at www.beaverradionetwork.com.

Jim Scanlan Pregame Jim Scanlan Pregame

McKayla Zilisch Pregame Player Pregame

Bemidji State Lines
Reece Hunt – Genevieve Hendrickson – Taylor Nelson
Calli Forsberg – Gabby Smith – Kayla Santl
Shelby Breiland – Raeley Carney – Claire Vekich
Mya Headrick – Paige Anderson – McKayla Zilisch

Extra Skater – Khloe Lund

Makenna Deering – Adriana Van De Leest
Taylor Larson – Ella Anick
Abby DeLaRosa – Kendra Fortin

Abbie Thompson
Hannah Hogenson
Madison Faucher

Opponent Lines
Isabel Lippai – – Marki Oberg
Maria Cooper – Lotti Odnoga – Emma Larson
Haley Maxwell – Allie Monrean – Maddie Jurgensen
Maddy Clough – Kate Haug – Lauren Stenslie

Gabby Billing – Emma McCauley
Mary Zavoral – Abby Promersberger
Jenna Hartung – Luci Bianchi

Beaver Radio Network Three Stars

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