University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
3-0-0 (1-0-0WCHA)
Bemidji State
2-1-0 (0-1-0WCHA)
Cameranesi's Late Goals Lift Gophers
10/7/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
BEMIDJI, Minn. - Senior captain Dani Cameranesi scored two third-period goals and junior Caitlin Reilly added an insurance tally to lead the No. 2 Minnesota women's hockey team to a 3-1 come-from-behind victory over Bemidji State at the Sanford Center Friday afternoon.
The teams played two scoreless periods before Bemidji State (2-1-0, 0-1-0 WCHA) took a 1-0 lead with 14:00 remaining in the game. Minnesota responded with three unanswered goals to remain perfect on the season and register its first WCHA victory of the year.
Along with two goals from Cameranesi, the Gophers received two points from junior Kelly Pannek with a pair of assists. Goaltender Sidney Peters made 17 saves as Minnesota outshot Bemidji State, 29-18, including a 14-6 advantage in the second period. BSU received 26 saves from Brittni Mowat in net.
"I'm really pleased with the win here," head coach Brad Frost said. "I thought our kids, in particular in the second period, really started to carry the play and had plenty of chances. Their goaltender made a lot of great saves, and we saw some timely plays by their defensemen.
"We were really proud of our team after two periods. We just told them they had to find a way, and we were able to do that."
Minnesota (3-0-0, 1-0-0 WCHA) received its first power play of the game 2:55 into the third stanza when BSU's Lisa Laiti went to the box for interference. However, Megan Wolfe and Sydney Baldwin took back-to-back penalties at 4:10 and 4:23 to give the Beavers a five-on-three advantage, and Lauren Miller capitalized to give BSU a 1-0 lead with 14:00 to play.
"Obviously getting that power play was big for us," Frost said. "But, having to go to four-on-four and then giving up a five-on-three, I think that just made our players even more determined. Once we moved Kate Schipper to that top line with Cameranesi and Pannek, it seemed to pan out pretty nice for us from there."
The Beavers' lead did not last as Cameranesi responded just 2:05 later, scoring her first goal of the game off assists from Patti Marshall and Pannek. She then gave the Gophers the lead at 10:39 of the third period, again being set up by Pannek. Sophie Skarzynski picked up the second assist on the play.
Reilly then scored her second goal of the season with 4:51 remaining to put Minnesota up by two when she buried a feed from Sarah Potomak.
"We just kept working hard and in the second period, we pretty much controlled the game with our effort," Cameranesi said. "We just didn't give up, and I think that's a huge testament to our team and the tenacity we have this year."
The Gophers were scoreless on two power plays while holding the Beavers to 1-for-3 with the man advantage.
"Overall, we're really happy. It was a tough, hard-fought WCHA win against Bemidji, like it always is," Frost said. "We're looking forward to getting some rest and getting back after it tomorrow."
Game two of the series is set for 3:07 p.m. CT Saturday at the Sanford Center.
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