Girls hockey ready to take on Beavers at home

The girls face the team again after defeating them on Hockey Day

John Laforest
Staff Writer

The Minnesota State women’s hockey team defeated Bemidji State 2-1 Saturday, Jan. 19 at an outdoor rink on Hockey Day Minnesota in Bemidji, Minnesota. 

The Mavericks jumped out to an early lead when freshman winger Brooke Bryant scored her seventh goal of the season, which is tied for most on the team.  

Junior winger Emily Antony caused a turnover, won a battle on the boards and then passed it up to Bryant.  

Then Bryant juked out a defender and beat the defense in the back line. Lauren Bench one-on-one, top shelf over her glove.  

Bemidji State answered the goal and tied the game up at the 12:45 mark in the period on a power play goal.  

Sophomore defenseman Mak Langel shot from the blue line past freshman Maverick goaltender Abigail Levywas screened and did not see the puck. 

The 13th annual Hockey Day Minnesota event in Bemidji had, fittingly, more than 13,000 attendees last week. Saturday’s attendance in Bemidji came ahead of the 2017 Hockey Day in attendance when the day was held in Stillwater, Minnesota.  

According to Hockey Day Minnesota’s social media, Stillwater had more than 5,000 fans in attendance. 

At the 16:19 mark in the second period, Minnesota State took the lead for good on a tip in goal from sophomore forward Brittyn Fleming.  

Antony took a shot from the blue line on the left side and Fleming tipped the puck which was gliding in the air, through the legs of the Beaver goaltender. Fleming’s sixth goal of the season was the last goal scored as the third period went scoreless. 

 Hockey Day Minnesota is a yearly event by the Minnesota Wild and Fox Sports North. Every year, the event rotates to different host communities and features outdoor hockey games, usually between high school teams. 

“The State of Hockey’s biggest day is coming to the State of Hockey’s biggest city, and we are just ecstatic,” Minneapolis Organizing Committee chairperson Scott Rusert said on air. “Just so, so thrilled about it, and we’re honored to be following the long line of great hosts that have come before. … We’re just thrilled. We’ve got an amazing setting.” 

Minnesota State will face Bemidji State again in a home series next weekend at Verizon the Center in Mankato. The games will begin at 7:07 p.m. and 3:07 p.m., on Friday and Saturday, respectively. 

Hockey day will be returning to the Mecca of the state next year when the event will be taking place in Minneapolis. The numbers are sure to increase for the most exciting day for all levels of hockey in Minnesota. 

Feature photo by Kjerstin Hall | MSU Reporter.