The Beavers made no excuses last night! It’s been a long haul from Bemidji, MN to Columbus, OH but the BSU women’s hockey team gave it everything they had last night against the Buckeyes!

What I have found out from players and coaches is that there really isn’t much of a home ice advantage in women’s college hockey. The ladies don’t get quite the large crowds of rabid fans that the men’s games bring in. Last night we even had some folks from Ohio who were cheering on the Beavers…nice folks who are friends of Annie Bauerfeld’s grandparents. Thanks to them and Danielle Williams’ parents who made the trek to Ohio this weekend. If I missed anyone, sorry and thank you for cheering this BSU team on from the road.

I overheard Assistant Coach Heather Farrell and Head Coach Steve Sertich talking today on the bus to the rink about last night’s effort by their team. I heard good things about the Beavers forecheck, winning one-on-one battles and something about how well BSU played along the boards. I did notice how many times our girls came out of the corners with the puck on their stick and how crisp the passing was.

The first period got off to a rocky start with the Buckeyes striking first, but again, a very resilient and determined Beaver squad wasn’t going to lay down and die on the road. They battled back in the second. Emily Erickson scored her 7th goal of the season, a powerplay goal to tie it up. Then one of the “Fab Five” recorded her first career goal wearing the “Green & White”…Allie Duellman rocked a shot from just inside the Buckeye blue line from the left side. It’s always fun watching a player react when they score their first collegiate goal. Allie was ecstatic to say the least. I could see her smile from all the way up into the press box…then again I should have since the rink is smaller than most and I was perched directly above the BSU bench.

Considering my broadcast got off to a rocky start during the pregame show (thanks to a hiccup with my sound card and computer), everything seemed to go smoothly once the puck dropped.

The Beavers and Buckeyes went through three periods of hockey and through an overtime tied up 2-2. Unfortunately BSU would only come out with one point even though they played with a “three point” effort.

On a side note, Bemidji State has played in the most shootout rounds since the WCHA introduced the shootout (in 2008-09) with 65 rounds.