Minnesota State University Reporter

Issue date: 2/12/08 Section: Womens Sports

Media Credit: Andrea Harrell Minnesota State's Christina Lee (left) fires a shot at Bemidji State goaltender Emily Brookshaw. Lee had a hat trick in Saturday's 5-2 win at All Seasons Arena.

Heading into last weekend's games, Minnesota State women's hockey coach Jeff Vizenor said the goal for the weekend was to get past Ohio State. And after sweeping Bemidji State 3-1 Friday and 5-2 Saturday at All Seasons Arena, that's exactly what happened-with a little help from the Minnesota Gophers.

By sweeping BSU, MSU won its fourth-consecutive WCHA game, picking up four points and moving to fifth in the standings with 19 points. The Buckeyes were swept by the Gophers last weekend, and trail the Mavericks by two points.

MSU took a 1-0 lead into the third period Friday, after Lisa Edman scored on a one-timer from Nina Tikkinen at 14:31 of the second period on a 2-on-1. A shorthanded goal from BSU's Tara Hiscock midway through the third tied the contest at one.

Just 1:21 later Amanda Stohr knocked in a rebound, which would become the game-winner. Stohr then added an empty-netter to secure the victory for MSU. Senior goaltender Britni Kehler stopped 32 shots in the win, and was also credited with an assist on Stohr's empty-netter, her second assist of her career.

Saturday night's game started with a rarity for the Beavers: BSU was just 2-for-98 on the power-play during the season, but managed to score two power-play goals in each of the first two periods from Annie Bauerfeld -one on a 5-on-3 advantage.

"Whenever you get on a 5-on-3 it doesn't matter who the team is or how many power-play goals they have," Vizenor said. "You're going to get in trouble."

With five minutes remaining in the second period, Kala Buganski extended her team-leading, five-game scoring streak when she scored on a pass from Stohr on a 2-on-1.

The Beavers elected to start a freshman goaltender Saturday, making her third-career start. Leading up to Buganski's goal, MSU only mustered 10 shots against the inexperienced goaltender, but Buganski's mark opened the flood gates for two more MSU goals in the period.

MSU then took the 3-2 lead, and the momentum into the third period, when Lee took over-scoring two more goals and helping the Mavericks to a 5-2 win.

Lee's hat trick was the first by any current Maverick, and the first since 2003 when Melanie Salatino scored four against North Dakota.

"Her last two goals were pure skill goals," Vizenor said. "The first kind of broke it open for her and then she buried a couple more."

Kehler started in net again for the Mavericks, picking up 19 saves for her 10th win of the season, and has allowed only five goals in her last four games.

"We found a way to win," Stohr said. "That's a key for us, to find ways to win and keep the momentum going."

"We didn't have a very good first half of the season, and now we want to catch up to those teams," Lee said. "Hopefully we can get that fourth spot for the playoffs and home ice advantage."


Josh Berhow is the Reporter assistant sports editor

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