Penn State’s No. 12 Women’s Hockey Triumphs Over Bemidji State in Thrilling 6-4 East West Showcase Opener

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.–The No. 12 Penn State women’s ice hockey squad (16-4-1) triumphed over Bemidji State (3-16-1) with a score of 6-4 in the opening match of the East West Showcase on Friday afternoon. The Nittany Lions scored four consecutive goals in the second period to erase a two-goal disadvantage, clinching their victory. 

HOW IT UNFOLDED

• Morgan Smith received a pass from Kate Johnson in the slot and maneuvered the puck in front of the goalie. She then launched a power-play goal to give the Beavers a 1-0 advantage, 6:34 into the first period.
• With 5:57 remaining in the first frame, Grace Tullock delivered a pass to Grace Outwater, who then tapped the puck into the net from the slot to level the game at 1-1.
• In the final moments of the first period, Smith assisted Isa Goettl from the upper right circle, and Goettl netted the Beavers’ second goal from the lower left circle, giving Bemidji State a 2-1 lead.
• With 14:12 to play in the second period, Genevieve Hendrickson tapped the puck from the slot into an unguarded net, extending the Beavers’ lead to 3-1.
• Abby Stonehouse carried the puck from the opposite end of the ice and scored from the slot past the goalie, reducing the Beavers’ lead to 2-1 with 9:28 remaining in the second period.
• Then, with 5:24 left in the frame, Leah Stecker shot the puck from the upper right slot off assists by Stella Retrum and Katelyn Roberts, leveling the score at 3-3.
• With 14:20 left in the final period, Tessa Janecke launched the puck from the upper right circle past the goalie, granting the Nittany Lions a 4-3 lead.
• Next, with 9:18 remaining, Outwater netted her second goal of the game by redirecting the puck in the slot, pushing Penn State ahead 5-3.
• With 3:33 left in play, Izy Fairchild scored with a backhanded shot in the slot assisted by Shely Sandberg, bringing the score to 5-4 in favor of Penn State.
• In the waning seconds of the match, Alyssa Machado scored an empty-net goal from the lower left circle to finalize the 6-4 victory.

GOALIES

• Junior goalie Katie DeSa recorded 23 saves out of 27 shots faced, improving her season record to 13-4-0.
• Bemidji State goalie Eva Filippova accumulated 23 saves from 28 shots, diminishing her record to 0-4-0 this season.

STATISTICS AND OBSERVATIONS

• Outwater achieved her fourth multi-goal game of the season, netting two goals in this match.
• The last occasion Penn State scored six or more goals was on January 27, 2024, against Lindenwood.
• This marks the Nittany Lions’ third game of the season scoring six or more goals.
• It is the 24th instance in program history that Penn State has scored six or more goals in a game.
• Janecke’s total career points (133) is now four points shy of the all-time scoring record held by Natalie Heising (137).
• Penn State outshot Bemidji State by a tally of 29-27.
• The Nittany Lions have secured victory in three consecutive matches.
• Penn State won the first contest in the series against the Nittany Lions and Beavers.
• Brianna Brooks achieved her 99th career point with an assist.
• The four goals conceded are the highest number of goals given up by Penn State this season.

NEXT UP

• Penn State will be back on the ice on Saturday, January 4, when they take on No. 3 Minnesota. The puck drop is set for 5:30 p.m. ET.