UMD Women’s Hockey Pink’s the Rink versus Bemidji State University, remains unbeaten at home

The UMD women’s hockey team finished the weekend with a win and a draw in another tough series with Bemidji State University. The Bulldogs improved to 4-0-2 for the season at home and 4-2-2 overall.

The Bulldogs wore special pink jerseys all weekend to honor a good cause. The jerseys were auctioned off between periods and all proceeds went to the Essentia Health Foundation/Cancer Care.

Friday night’s game was just what the Bulldogs expected: tough and gritty.

After a scoreless first period, the Bulldogs found the back of the net early in the second. Junior forward Katerina Mrázová scored to give UMD a 1-0 lead.

Living up to their relentless reputation, BSU struck back eight minutes later to tie the game. The game remained even the rest of the second period, despite UMD outshooting BSU 31-15.

The Bulldogs scored again in the third period. Mrázová took a give and go pass from Lara Stalder and beat BSU goaltender Brittni Mowat for her second of the game and eventual game winner.

UMD women’s head coach Maura Crowell was on hand after the game to talk about coaching against a team like the Beavers.

“We learned a lot last year playing Bemidji, (and) their style of play was going to be very similar this year,” Crowell said. “We have some specific things we worked on throughout the week and continued them in the game today.”

Photo by Alex Ganeev/Statesman

Bulldog goaltender Maddie Rooney finished the night with 20 saves.

Saturday night the Bulldogs looked to pull out another home win.

Unlike Friday night, the Bulldogs came out scoring in the first period. UMD forwards Katherine McGovern and Katerina Mrázová gave the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead.

Saturday’s second period was an example of the exact reason that the Beavers are not a team to look down on – BSU scored twice bringing them back into the game. UMD added another goal as well, making it a 3-2 game going into the third period.

The Beavers’ Emma Terres tied the game seven minutes into the the third period.

UMD thought they had taken the lead again when Junior Maria Lindh buried a rebound in front of the net. After a review on the play it was ruled that UMD’s McGovern had interfered with the goaltender and the goal was disallowed.

The game finished with a tie, but the Bulldogs’ Lara Stalder scored in the shootout to give UMD an extra point and take 5-of-6 points for the weekend.

UMD’s goaltender Maddie Rooney faced 29 shots and had 26 saves as well as a flawless performance in the shootout Saturday night.

The Bulldogs travel to Columbus, Ohio next weekend, Oct. 28 and Oct. 29, to take on The Ohio State University.