BEMIDJI – Goals were at a premium for five periods at the Sanford Center.
Minnesota Duluth scored thrice in those periods against the Bemidji State women’s hockey team. The remaining frame, however, was lopsided.
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The sixth-ranked Bulldogs scored five times in the second period in a 6-0 win over the Beavers on Saturday afternoon, completing a shutout sweep on the road.
“The second period got away from us,” BSU head coach Amber Fryklund said. “We had lapses there, and if you give a team like Duluth those opportunities, they’re going to capitalize. Our power play moved the puck around really well and we had some momentum there (in the second period), and I really liked our jump on the penalty kill. But we just had some lapses.”
After an uneventful opening 20 minutes – one that included a successful penalty kill for both BSU and UMD and just seven combined shots on goal – action picked up in the middle frame.
Olivia Wallin found herself on a partial breakaway in the opening minutes of the second period. Eva Filippova made the initial right-to-left save, but the rebound kicked out to Jenna Lawry, who put Minnesota Duluth ahead with the game’s first goal.
Wallin doubled the lead two and a half minutes later. She tipped Hanna Baskin’s shot over Filippova’s head, pinning the Beavers on their heels early in the second period.
From there, the Bulldogs took over.
After UMD killed off a high-pressure Bemidji State power play, Clara Van Wieren made it 3-0 on a rush with Danielle Burgen. Van Weiren’s shot went through a screen and under Filippova’s arm to make it 3-0.
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Caitlin Kraemer, who scored the only two goals in Minnesota Duluth’s (17-11-2, 12-10-2 WCHA) 2-0 win the night before, picked up where she left off. She added a breakaway tally late in the second period before Grace Sadura tipped in another to cap a five-goal second period.
“We talked about the way we have to play,” Fryklund said. “We have to go out and finish the game with our habits and details, and make sure you take pride in how you finish the game. It’s making sure we’re working hard. Our team, we don’t give up. You have to try and build some momentum and continue doing the things that you’re doing well. … Going into the third period, it’s about the response we had as a team.”
Kamdyn Davis added a sixth goal in the third period, but Fyrklund left the bench more pleased than she did for the second intermission.
“Our third period was OK,” Fryklund said. “We managed the puck a little better and were able to keep them off the board, aside from the one goal. I’m really proud of their effort and their response in making sure they finished the game the right way.”
After Friday’s loss, Fryklund wanted to see her players funnel more pucks to the net. Bemidji State had nine shots on Friday but entered the third period with 10 on Saturday.
“Duluth is such a good defensive team and makes it really hard to get the net,” Fryklund said. “They had eight blocks again today, and they made it really hard just to get pucks to the net. Obviously, we didn’t score this weekend. In order to win hockey games, you have to score. … A focus for us today was how we could maintain (better) puck possession. We had some good chances, but it’s an area of continued growth for us.”
The Beavers (5-25-1, 3-21-0 WCHA) are on the road next weekend at St. Thomas before returning to the Sanford Center Feb. 21-22 to take on No. 1 Wisconsin.
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“We want to build on Friday’s game,” Fryklund said. “We thought we played really well for those 60 minutes and our first period today. … As we reflect on the weekend and the things that didn’t go well today, we’ll revisit that and refocus and be intentional with what we do in practice this week. … It’s a big series for us next weekend, and we’re looking forward to an opportunity to play.”
No. 6 Minnesota Duluth 6, Bemidji State 0
UMD 0 5 1 – 6
BSU 0 0 0 – 0
First period – No scoring.
Second period – UMD GOAL: Lawry (Wallin, Henderson) 1:38; UMD GOAL: Wallin (Baskin, Burgen) 4:05; UMD GOAL: Van Wieren (Burgen, Mobley) 10:27; UMD GOAL: Kraemer (O’Brien) 14:47; UMD GOAL: Sadura (Davis) 18:33.
Third period – UMD GOAL: Davis (Wallin, Van Wieren) 5:28.
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Saves – Filippova (BSU) 26; Holm (UMD) 13.
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