Gophers storm past Bemidji State 6-0 in WCHA opener

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Bemidji State women’s hockey team got a rude awakening to conference play on Friday night.

The Beavers took the brunt of a 6-0 loss to No. 2 Minnesota, surrendering four goals in the second period and sinking into a WCHA-opening defeat in Minneapolis.

The Golden Gophers (1-0, 1-0 WCHA) took turns lighting the lamp. Abigail Boreen scored the first two goals, Peyton Hemp scored the next two, and Abbey Murphy scored the last two.

BSU goaltender Hannah Hogenson was busy all night, finishing with 40 saves on 46 shots. Minnesota goalie Makayla Pahl went 17-for-17 on save opportunities.

The Gophers also finished 2-for-6 on the power play and didn’t commit a penalty themselves.

The two teams will run it back for the series finale, which is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, back in Minneapolis.

Minnesota 6, Bemidji State 0

BSU 0 0 0 -- 0

UM 1 4 1 -- 6

First period -- 1, UM GOAL, Boreen (Heise, Wethington), 4:40.

Second period -- 2, UM GOAL, Boreen (Heise, Wethington), 1:01; 3, UM GOAL, Hemp (Bouveng, Huber), 2:50; 4, UM GOAL, Hemp (Huber), 7:02; 5, UM GOAL, Murphy (Laitinen, Wethington), 9:35, PP.

Third period -- 6, UM GOAL, Murphy (Zumwinkle, Laitinen), 6:37, PP.

Saves -- Hogenson (BSU) 40; Pahl (UM) 17.