Despite being outshot 32-13, Bemidji State started out the 2002 calendar year with a 3-2 victory over Ohio State Friday at the OSU Ice Rink. Special teams were the story, as four of the game’s five goals were scored on power-play opportunities.
Caesare Stimson scored the first of her two goals at the 15:44 mark of the first period, giving BSU a 1-0 lead and marking just the fifth time this season BSU has scored the game’s first goal.
Katie Ward then staked the Beavers to a 2-0 advantage with a power-play goal at 11:44 of the second period. The 2-0 edge was BSU’s biggest lead over the Buckeyes in nearly two years, dating back to a 2-0 lead at the first intermission in Columbus on Jan. 15, 2000. It was Ward’s fifth goal of the year to lead BSU freshmen.
Jeni Creary’s 16th goal of the year got the Buckeyes on the board at the 15:18 mark of the second period, converting a five-on-three power-play opportunity after BSU’s Alicia Kinsman (hooking, 13:37) and Kristie Hofer (crosschecking, 14:41) had been called for penalties. Jennifer Deason knotted the score at two goals each just 1:02 later, picking up her fourth goal of the year on the ensuing five-on-four power-play chance.
The game remained tied at two until Stimson netted her second goal of the game and fifth of the season, the eventual game-winner and the game’s only even-strength goal, at 8:07 of the third period. She was assisted by Ward and Lisa Peters on the winner.
“Caesare played a fantastic game,” BSU head coach Jason Lesteberg said. “She did a nice job creating offensive chances for herself.”
Bre Dedrickson got the start in goal for BSU, turning in a 30-save effort to improve to 6-4-4 on the year. OSU’s Melissa Glaser took the loss for the Buckeyes despite facing just 13 shots. She allowed three goals in 58:47 to fall to 7-4-2 on the year. Ohio State played with an empty net for the last 1:13 of regulation.
“The kids worked really hard,” Lesteberg said. “Ohio State gained momentum in the second period; they just threw shots at us. We did just enough on offense to win the game and played strong defensively. We kept the shots on the perimeter and gave Bre a chance to see the puck, and she made some nice saves for us towards the end to keep us in it.”
Bemidji State improves to 7-6-4 with Friday’s win and evens its WCHA record at 5-5-3. Friday’s win gives the Beavers 13 points in WCHA play, tying the school record set last year (6-17-1). Additionally, BSU’s five WCHA wins are just one shy of the school record of six, also established last year.
Ohio State drops to 9-7-3 overall, 4-6-3 in WCHA action.
The two teams wrap up their two-game series Saturday evening in Columbus. Opening faceoff is slated for 7 p.m. Central time.
