GIRLS HOCKEY: Gutty overtime victory for Bemidji over Crookston

BEMIDJI – The Bemidji girls hockey team weathered the storm Thursday night.

Although the Lumberjacks were whistled for eight penalties for 16 minutes in their game against Crookston, not one of those came back to haunt them.

Bemidji held Crookston’s power play scoreless despite going to the box eight times and survived a late Pirates comeback to claim a 3-2 overtime victory.

Megan Dondelinger had two goals, including the overtime winner, and an assist for the Lumberjacks (8-7-5). Karleigh Wolkerstorfer scored the other goal and assisted on both of Dondelinger's tallies.

Heather Olson also added two assists.

“It was pretty gutty to pull it out despite going to the box so many times,” BHS head coach Bob Brink said. “It’s one of those games that we knew would be tough because we knew Crookston was so good.”

The teams went to overtime the last time they met (Dec. 11); the Lumberjacks won that game 5-4.

The Lumberjacks scored the first two goals of the game in the second period after a scoreless first, but the Pirates (9-9) rallied.

Brianna Breiland scored once in the second period and again at the 9:52 mark of the third (a 4-on-4 goal) to force overtime.

Wolkerstorfer notched the game winner with just 32 seconds to play in regulation.

Morgan Miller got the start in goal and made 25 saves on 27 shots for Bemidji. Lexie Cormican made 27 saves on 30 shots for Crookston.

The Lumberjacks are back on the ice Saturday at Alexandria and return to Bemidji for their final home game Tuesday, when they’ll host Moorhead.

Crookston 0 1 1 0 – 2

Bemidji 0 2 0 1 – 3

First Period – No Scoring.

Second Period – 1, BHS, Wolkerstorfer (Dondelinger), 4:57; 2, BHS, Dondelinger (Wolkerstorfer, Olson), 7:42; 3, Crook, Breiland (Spivey), 9:07.

Third Period – 4, Crook, Breiland (Unassisted), 9:52.

Overtime – 5, BHS, Dondelinger (Wolkerstofer, Olson), 4:28.

Shots On Goal – Crookston (6-10-8-3-27); Bemidji (8-9-10-3-30).

Goalies – Crook, Cormican (30-27); BHS, Miller (27-25).

Pentlaies-Minutes – Crook, 3-6; BHS, 8-16.