MINNEAPOLIS - No. 2 seed Minnesota dropped a 2-1 decision to No. 7 seed Bemidji State at Ridder Arena Saturday to force a game three in this weekend's WCHA First Round series.
Bemidji State (12-19-3, 7-18-3-1 WCHA) received goals from Summer Thibodeau and Ciscely Nelson along with 33 saves from Brittni Mowat in the Beavers' second win over Minnesota this season.
Minnesota (24-6-5, 19-4-5-3 WCHA) took four penalties to the Beavers' one, and although the Gophers held BSU scoreless on four power plays, special teams swung the game's momentum in the visitors' favor.
The Beavers got on the board first when Thibodeau scored her fourth goal of the season off a feed from Nelson and Lauren Miller at the 6:15 mark of the first period.
The Gophers responded in the final minute of the second period when Sarah Potomak evened the score with a shorthanded goal, her 18th tally of the season. Cara Piazza picked up an assist on the play, and the teams headed into the second intermission tied up 1-1.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, Bemidji State took back the lead with a goal by Nelson at midway through the third period. She netted her fourth of the season off a pass from Madison Hutchinson at the 11:09 mark, and it proved to be the game-winner.
Minnesota outshot the Beavers, 34-23, for the game, but could not solve Mowat for the second equalizer.
