Lifted by another two-goal game from Natalie Mlynkova, Gophers top Bemidji State in women’s hockey

The No. 3 Gophers women’s hockey team got two goals from Natalie Mlynkova and strong efforts from goalie Hannah Clark and its penalty-kill unit to hang on for a 2-1 victory at Bemidji State on Friday.

Mlynkova, who scored only one goal in the Gophers’ first eight games this season, scored twice in the first period — her second two-goal game in the past three games — to give the Gophers a 2-0 lead. Mlynkova, a fifth-year transfer, scored 40 goals in her past two seasons with Vermont.

The Beavers pulled within 2-1 in the second period on a power-play goal by Izy Fairchild. But the Beavers couldn’t convert two power-play opportunities in the third period — one a five-minute major and the second in the final three minutes of the period — and finished 1-for-6 on the power play.

After getting outshot 14-1 in the first period, the Beavers outshot the Gophers 18-13 over the final two periods.

“Gutted it out there,” Gophers coach Brad Frost said. “Particularly in the third, killing off that five-minute penalty and then the minor penalty there at the end. Showed some good heart during those times, with some blocked shots and good saves. That was great to help us preserve the win.”

The victory was the Gophers’ 23rd in a row over the Beavers. The Gophers (7-3-1, 3-3-1 WCHA) and Beavers (1-9-1, 0-7-0) will conclude the series Saturday afternoon in Bemidji.

Frost was pleased by Mlynkova’s contribution.

“She was good, especially in the first,” he said. “Just a great shot there, on the rush, on the power play, and then driving the net. Things we talk about all the time. Pucks will find you there, really nice hands to put that one away.”