On Friday night at the Sanford Center, Bemidji State University opened up their season against a nationally ranked team, Providence College. The Friars came to Bemidji ranked #9 in one poll and tenth in the other.

It was a battle between two of the best goaltenders in DI women’s college hockey. Zuzana Tomcikova stopped 23 for the Beavers, while Genevieve Lacasse stopped 39 BSU shots on net. After 65 minutes of hockey, these two teams would skate to a 0-0 tie.

The Beavers chose to test out the shootout to prepare them for WCHA play, but Providence would come out ahead in the extra session.

Both teams would settle for a tie. For more information and the box score from the Friday night game, click HERE.

Saturday night, the Beavers were hungry. They knew many questions would have to be answered, including who was going to fill their scoring gap left from a 2010-11 senior class who put up a lot of points.

The BSU blueliners were keyed up for the game. Senior Kim Lieder blasted one from the top of the right circle over the shoulder of the Providence goalie to give the Beavers a 1-0 lead. The second Beaver goal would be a rebound shot by freshman Rachael Kelly at the 12:49 mark of the first for the 2-0 lead before the first intermission.

Providence would go on a 5 on 3 in the second period. Bemidji State would add to their lead, as a blocked shot by junior defender Erika Wheelhouse would ricochet out of the zone and onto the stick of Montana Vichorek as she was exiting the penalty box. Vichorek drove a short handed goal past Lacasse to take the 3-0 lead.

Providence would finally answer just half way through the second period, but the Beavers would shut them down and hold the score in the final period of hockey.

Bemidji State records the 3-1 win for a 1-0-1 record to start the season.

For more information and the box score from the Saturday game, click HERE.