Bemidji is swept by Oster’s late power play goal

Dec. 30—NEW HOPE — Elizabeth Oster produced a powerful moment for the Bemidji High School girls hockey team on Thursday in New Hope.

In their first game at New Hope Holiday Classic, Robbinsdale Armstrong/Cooper was matched by the Lumberjacks. However, they were tied 3-3 after RAC equalized the contest with a goal mid-third period. Oster used a power-play opportunity to score a goal and scored at 12.53 in the third. Naomi Johnson assisted, giving BHS a 4-3 lead that it wouldn’t relinquish.

Claire Riestenberg scored shorthanded in the first period for the Wings. The rest of the opening frame belonged to the Jacks, who hacked their way into the lead with goals by Millie Knott — a power-play score at 9:46 off Megan Berg’s assist — and by Ellie Solheim at 14:51 off a helper from Sammy Nistler.

RAC refused to give up, and Cara Cook grabbed another shortie at 6;23 in the second quarter for a tie of 2-2. Megan Berg was able to answer for the Jacks at 12.32 thanks to Zoe Fayette’s assistance.

Again, the Wings (3-9) refused to be grounded. Abby Hanson made a dramatic comeback for a tie score, just 10 seconds in to the third period. The score was now 3-3. Oster’s moment came with just four minutes to spare.

Ava Myhre began in net for Bemidji, compiling 35 saves. Emma Kahl from RAC finished with 45 stops.

The Lumberjacks (10-2-1) continue the classic with a semifinal against Fergus Falls on Friday, Dec. 30, back at New Hope.

Bemidji 4, Robbinsdale Armstrong/Cooper 3

BHS 2 1 1 — 4

RAC 1 1 1 — 3

First period — 1, RAC GOAL, Riestenberg (Cook, Hanson), 9:10, SH; 2, BHS GOAL, Knott (Berg), 9:46, PP; 3, BHS GOAL, Solheim (S. Nistler), 14:51.

Second period — 4, RAC GOAL, Cook (Riestenberg), 6:23, SH; 5, BHS GOAL, Berg (Fayette), 12:32.

Third period — 6, RAC GOAL, Hanson (Cook, Palony), 0:10; 7, BHS GOAL, Oster (Johnson), 12:53, PP.

Saves — Myhre (BHS) 35; Kahl (RAC) 45.