Bemidji can't overcome Alexandria's power play

ALEXANDRIA – Alexandria’s power play was too much for Bemidji Saturday night.

Four different Cardinals scored – including two times on the power play – as Alexandria topped Bemidji 4-2.

“It was just a tough game for us overall,” Bemidji head coach Bon Brink said. “Our girls looked pretty tired.

“Alexandria kept the pressure up, but we had no energy. I’m glad we hung in there as long as we could but we just didn’t have much in the tank.”

The Lumberjacks (8-8-5) were whistled for just two penalties in the game but the Cardinals (14-6-2) capitalized on both of them.

Becca Illes scored Alexandria’s first power play goal in the second period, putting the Cards up 2-0 at the 14:44 mark after Taylor Ellingson had scored the game’s first goal just two minutes earlier.

The Lumberjacks tried to rally in the third period. Karleigh Wolkerstorfer put Bemidji on the board with her 25th goal of the season at the 4:32 mark of the third, with assists from Kelsey Isaacson and Erin Booth.

The Cards answered with an unassisted goal from Melissa Drown – also on the power play – to make it 3-1.

Shelby Iverson made it 4-1 Alexandria at 9:02, but Bemidji cut the lead in half with a goal by Karlee Tower just 20 seconds later to make it 4-2.

The Lumberjacks couldn’t do much after that.

Despite pulling goaltender Emily Frazer with about three minutes left, BHS couldn’t manage a shot on goal with the extra attacker.

The Lumberjacks play two important games next week. They host Moorhead on Tuesday at the Bemidji Community Arena before traveling to Roseau Thursday.

Both are section games and deepening on how the Lumberjacks do, they could be playing a home game in the first round of the Section 8AA tournament.

Bemidji 0 0 2 – 2

Alexandria 0 2 2 – 4

First Period – No Scoring.

Second Period – 1, Alex, Ellingson (Herd), 12:43; 2, Alex, Illes (Iverson, Revering), 14:44, PP.

Third Period – 3, BHS, Wolkerstorfer (Isaacson, Booth), 4:32; 4, Alex, M.Drown (Unassisted), PP, 6:12; 5, Alex, Iverson (Unassisted), 9:02; 6, Tower (Hansen), 9:22.

Goalies – BHS, Frazer (17-13); Alex, Jost (18-16).

Shots On Goal – BHS (6-4-8-18); Alex (4-8-5-17).

Penalties-Minutes – BHS 2-4; Alex 1-2.