University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Earn Sweep Against BSU
10/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
The Bemidji Beavers took the early lead at 1:21 of the first period. The Beavers scored on just their third shot on goal. However, Whitney Graft scored her first career goal as a Golden Gopher to tie the game at 1-1 at 12:59 of the first. Graft picked up the puck after it bounced off the boards on a shot from Chelsey Brodt. Graft picked up the puck and skated around a BSU defender. BSU goalie Jill Luebke tried to poke check the puck, but was unsuccessful and Graft went on to score her second career point.
Graft nearly scored two goals in the game, when she took off on a breakaway during the penalty kill in the second period. Graft tried to put the puck through the short side, but Luebke stopped the breakaway. The Gophers’ second opportunity of the period came when Erica McKenzie intercepted a pass with 4:00 remaining in the period, but the shot hit the post.
The Gophers took the 2-1 lead at 18:17 of the second period when Anya Miller scored her first goal of the season and second point of the weekend. Miller wound up for the slap shot in the high slot and scored, while McKenzie tallied an assist.
The Gophers added an insurance goal at 12:02 of the third on a short- handed attempt. Gigi Marvin started the play taking the puck out the zone. Marvin and McKenzie created a two-on-one opportunity. Marvin tried the pass the puck to McKenzie. The pass was partially blocked, but McKenzie was there to bat in the puck in mid air for the goal. The goal marked the second of the game for McKenzie and the second short-handed goal in her career. The first came against Connecticut in the home opener this year.
However, the Beavers netted at goal at 13:14 of the third, putting the game back to a one-goal deficit. Bemidji State pulled Luebke with 1:23 remaining in the game, but Minnesota was able to hold off the Beavers for the win. Minnesota holds a 25-0-3 all-time record against BSU, dating back to 1998.
Brittony Chartier earned the win, sitting at 3-1-0. Chartier had six saves in the first period, five in the second and 11 in the third.
Minnesota is on the road for the second straight weekend as the Gophers head to Erie, Pa. to take on eighth-ranked Mercyhurst, Oct. 21-22. Friday’s game is slated for a 7 p.m. start, while Saturday’s action begins at 3 p.m. Minnesota returns home the following weekend to face Minnesota Duluth, Oct. 28-29 in Ridder Arena.
