After playing the nation’s No. 1 team tough Friday night, Bemidji State had some confidence coming into the series finale this afternoon at John Glas Fieldhouse. It was short-lived, as the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs used a dominant third period to blow the game open and cruise to an 8-1 win.
Already eading 4-1 at the second intermission, the Bulldogs were overwhelming in the third period. UMD outshot BSU 21-1 for the period and scored four goals in a span of 7:47 against two different BSU goaltenders to run its unbeaten streak to 23 games dating back to last season.
UMD is 35-2-6 in its last 43 contests.
As with Friday night’s game, when the teams were called for a combined 17 penalties, the officials were busy. The Beavers and Bulldogs combined for 14 penalties, six coming in the second period. However, after BSU’s penalty-killers held UMD scoreless in five power-play opportunities Friday night, the Bulldogs converted on three of six power-play chances Saturday — with all three conversions coming in their first four chances.
Bre Dedrickson took the loss in net for BSU. She was pulled after allowing her sixth goal of the day at 7:32 of the third period, but was under intense pressure having faced a total of 45 shots. Anik Cote played the game’s final 12:28 for BSU and allowed two goals against nine saves.
Patricia Sautter picked up the win for UMD, stopping eight of nine shots in 47:32 of action. She came off with Dedrickson and was replaced with Maghan Grann, who saved the only shot she faced in 12:28 to close out the third.
Tricia Guest turned a hat trick for the Bulldogs, picking up power-play goals at 14:58 of the first and 14:57 of the second and an even-strength goal at 7:01 of the third period. She also had an assist to finish the day with four points. Joanne Eustace netted a pair of goals, including the game-winner at 18:16 of the first, and one assist. Erika Holst also scored two goals, including the tally at 7:32 of the third which chased Dedrickson.
The Bulldogs owned their zone all afternoon, holding a 56-10 advantage in shots on net. UMD’s Maria Rooth singlehandedly outshot the BSU team, 13-10, although Rooth failed to score. The Bulldogs outshot the Beavers 21-1 during the third period, and for the game held an astonishing 89-15 edge in shots attempted.
Duluth remains undefeated all-time against BSU, improving to 10-0-0 in the series. The Bulldogs hold an 83-17 advantage in goals in the series.
Bemidji State falls to 6-6-4 with the loss, 4-5-3 in WCHA play, while the Bulldogs remain undefeated at 13-0-3 overall and 8-0-2 in WCHA action. The Bulldogs picked up two points in the WCHA standings and moved into a first-place tie with Minnesota at 18 points.
