MADISON, Wis.— The fourth-ranked Wisconsin women's hockey team took down Bemidji State, 2-1, in the first game of a best-of-three series on Friday night at LaBahn Arena. 

Wisconsin (24-6-4) put up 40 shots to beat out Bemidji State's (11-19-3) 15 shots. The Badgers saw goals from Brette Pettet and Maddi Wheeler to power the team to win in the quarterfinal series.

The game got off to a slow start and Bemidji State got on the board late in the period to head into the second up 1-0 over Wisconsin
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Wheeler got it going for Wisconsin with a goal just over halfway through the second period to tie the game at 1-1.

Pettet lit the lamp just under two minutes into the third period to give the Badgers their first lead of the game at 2-1. Bemidji State pulled its goaltender near the end of the game but it expired at 2-1.

Netminder Kennedy Blair made 14 saves over the three periods.

Three Notes of the Game
- Sophie Shirley posted two assists and now is one point away from recording 150 points during her time as a Badger.
- UW improved to 5-0 all-time against Bemidji State in the WCHA postseason.
- The Badgers killed their one penalty taken tonight and currently lead the country with a .933 clip on the penalty kill. 

Straight from the Rink
Head Coach Mark Johnson
On the game:
"We came out and had a good first period and had good pace. They were playing tight, their goalie was playing good, just a matter of doing little things. In the third period we were able to get out and get a lead and then play well after that."

On Maddi Wheeler:
"Wheeler came off, she didn't play last weekend but she ended up getting a big goal for us."

Up Next:
The Badgers will face the Beavers again on Saturday. Puck drop is set for 3 p.m. Fans can watch the series online through B1G+, while Saturday's game can be heard on 1070 AM as Reid Magnum and Mark Greenhalgh have the call.