The Western Collegiate Hockey Association showed its parity at the Bulldogs expense Saturday afternoon.
Bemidji State University salvaged the series split with the University of Minnesota Duluth women's hockey team, sneaking by the Bulldogs 2-1 one day after UMD defeated the Beavers 3-2 at the Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minn. Both teams entered the weekend looking for their first WCHA points in a wide open league race, and unfortunately for the Bulldogs, both teams left the building with three points apiece.
BSU led for the first time in the series at 5:25 of the first period, courtesy of a goal by Abby Halluska. The Beavers doubled that lead to 2-0 at the 15:37 mark after Tina Kampa scored her first tally of the year.
With just seven seconds remaining in the opening stanza, UMD freshman forward Naomi Rogge beat Beaver goaltender Erin Deters on a breakaway to bring UMD to within a single goal at 2-1. Rogge's team-leading fifth goal of the season also doubled as her second goal of the series.
The final 40 minutes were offensively taxing for the Bulldogs, who put just five shots on goal in the second period and six in the third. The Beavers held UMD to just 18 shots on goal in the game (30-18, BSU), far under the 32.4 the Bulldogs came into the weekend averaging. BSU also held UMD's nationally ranked power play scoreless in three attempts.
Bulldog goaltender Jessica Convery had 28 saves for UMD (3-7-0, 1-5-0), while Deters had 17 for the Beavers (2-7-1, 1-5-0).
UMD will return home to the confines of AMOSIL Arena next weekend when it hosts St. Cloud State University in WCHA action. Game times are set for 7:07 p.m. Friday night, and 4:07 p.m. Saturday.
BULLDOG NOTES: BSU held UMD under its 32.4 shots on goal an average in both games … the Bulldogs put 22 shots on net Friday and 40 total in the series compared to the Beavers 75 on the weekend … it marks not only the first two games UMD has been outshot this season, but also the first series an opponent has put more pucks on net … Saturday's setback marks the first for the Bulldogs against the Beavers in eight meetings, dating back to January of 2016.
