Minnesota vs. Bemidji State Preview
The Gophers begin the Greg “Boom” May era this weekend when they travel to Bemidji to take on the Beavers. Minnesota dominated Bemidji State last season, winning all four games by a combined score of 31-8.
Friday night will be the season opener for both teams.
Game One: Friday, October 2nd, 6:00 PM. Watch on BigTenPlus or Fox 9+
Game Two: Saturday, October 3rd, 2:00 PM. Watch on BigTenPlus or Fox 9+
Series Overview:
When I spoke with Head Coach Greg “Boom” May last month, he said the 2026-2027 team will need to use its depth to fill the holes left by the class of 2025. The Gophers return five of their top ten scorers from last season, including senior forward Ava Lindsay, who was second on the team with 15 goals and 43 points in 38 games. Sophomore forward Bella Fanale will also be leaned on heavily. Fanale tallied 20 goals and 36 points in 39 games as a freshman last season.
On the back end, Chloe Primerano appears primed to step into the spotlight. Still just 19 years old, Primerano is coming off back-to-back 30-point seasons. Senior defender Molly Jordan will also see plenty of ice time. Jordan scored four goals and 16 points in her first season with Minnesota last year.
In goal, Minnesota will once again lean on junior Hannah Clark and sophomore Layla Hemp, a duo that combined to start all 39 games for the Gophers last season.
Bemidji State finished last in the WCHA last season, and the WCHA coaches predicted a repeat finish in the preseason coaches’ poll. The good news for Bemidji State is that top-scoring forwards, Morgan Smith and Hailey Armstrong, are both back from last year’s team. Senior defender Carmen Bray should help anchor the defense group. Bray led all Bemidji State defenders in scoring last year. Bemidji State also returns its top two goaltenders from last season, Kaitlin Gross and Ava Hills.
Players to watch:
Sarah Paul: For a team that desperately needs everyone to contribute, the return of a healthy Sarah Paul should be a welcome sight for Gopher fans. Paul transferred to Minnesota from Princeton prior to the start of last season, but her first season in Dinkytown was cut short after only eight games due to injury. Paul is a proven scorer with a wicked wrist shot, and the Gophers will need her healthy and scoring this season.
Morgan Smith: Smith led Bemidji State in assists (15) and points (28) last season. She was second on the team in goals (13), and she scored 20 points in 28 WCHA games. Bemidji State was one of the lowest-scoring teams in the country last season, and goals will likely be hard to come by in this series for the Beavers. If Bemidji State can create enough offense to keep these games close, Morgan Smith will be right in the middle of it.
What the Gophers are saying:
Head coach Greg “Boom” May, junior defender Chloe Primerano, and sophomore forward Bella Fanale met with the media last week to discuss the upcoming season.
Gopher Coach Greg “Boom” May on what he’s looking forward to most this season:
“We have plenty of offensive creativity and offensive skill and speed. We just have players these past years that haven’t been called upon…We have players out here that now will be in a little bit bigger roles [there will be] a little bit more pressure and stress to produce for us where in the past they haven’t had that same inner feeling that they might have right now.”
Sophomore forward Bella Fanale on the advantage of the new head coach being someone the players were familiar with:
“Boom has been so good. His standard and intensity he’s brought so far have been awesome for our group. Each practice, we’re just plugging away, trying to get better every day. [We’re] definitely comfortable with him just being around him last year, kind of knowing what he’s all about, and just so excited when we came in this year cause I knew he was ready to bring it.”
Prediction:
I think the Gophers begin the 2026-2027 season with a road sweep of Bemidji State. Don’t be surprised if one of the games is close, but I’d expect the Gophers to return home with all six points.