The No. 2 Minnesota women’s hockey team overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat Bemidji State 3-2 on Friday night at Ridder Arena.

Emily West scored two goals, including the game-winner 13:05 into the third period.

“It feels good, and everyone can say it feels good to score,” West said, “but overall it’s having a team at our backs like we do that makes it feel even better.”

The Beavers took a 1-0 lead 14:13 into the first period when Kristin Huber scored from point-blank range on a great feed by Macken Thurston.

Barely a minute into the second stanza, Kimberly Lieder doubled the lead on a slap shot from just inside the blue line, but the Gophers responded.

Freshman Rachael Bona scored on a 2-on-1 via a nice feed from Sarah Davis to cut into the BSU lead and the score stood at 2-1 heading into the third. Then, West went to work.

The fifth-year senior, who played on the third line Friday, scored a power-play goal on a wrap-around 9:05 into the period. Exactly four minutes later, West stole the puck near center ice to set up a 2-on-1 before beating Beavers goalie Zuzan Tomcikova for the go-ahead goal.

“She had a couple chances early there in the game, where I’m not sure how it stayed out,” Minnesota head coach Brad Frost said. “There’s no questioning her heart. I think we saw that tonight.”

The Gophers outshot the Beavers 46-24. The series will conclude Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at Ridder Arena.