TAPPED AWAY — Fairmont Area’s Jonissa Neitzel (13) pokes the puck away from Minnesota River’s Emma Seaver (9) during Big South hockey action Thursday night in Fairmont. The Cardinals’ Tegan Roskop looks on. (Photo by Greg Abel)

FAIRMONT — The Minnesota River Bulldogs used a two-goal second period to pick up a 4-1 Big South Conference girls hockey win against the Fairmont Area Cardinals on Thursday night at Martin County Arena.

Anna Pavlo led the way for the Bulldogs with a goal and two assists to power the win.

Ahead 1-0 after the first period, scoring was scarce until the 11th minute of the second frame. Pavlo lit the lamp with the help of Adrianna Bixby and Emma Seaver to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead.

Midway through the second period, the Bulldogs received a power-play opportunity, but were denied a goal. Fairmont Area goaltender Hadley Artz saved five shots alone during the power play and her defense helped keep the puck out of the back of the net.

“She (Artz) made some big saves and in those power-play opportunities kept the score close,” Fairmont Area girls hockey head coach Ashley Olson said. “She played well.”

Goalie Amelia Messer and the Bulldogs’ defense made it tough for the Cardinals’ offense. The Cardinals had four shots-on-goal opportunities in the second period but were only getting one shot off and failing to secure the rebounds.

In the closing seconds of the second period, it was Seaver’s turn to score. Pavlo and Sofie Wilson found Seaver in front of the net for a wrist-shot goal to extend the Bulldogs’ lead to 3-0.

In the first period, both goaltenders made it nearly impossible for either team to score. Artz faced pressure from the Bulldogs’ attack and finished with seven saves in the first period.

Messer played equally to Artz in protecting her net, making seven saves. The Cardinals had seven opportunities coming from mostly change of possession that couldn’t be capitalized on.

With 7:45 left in the first period, the Bulldogs scored first. Seaver and Pavlo assisted Bixby, who lit the lamp to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.

The Cardinals erased the goose egg and hopes of a Bulldogs’ shutout early in the third period. With 12:52 left in the third period, the Cardinals were able to rebound the puck and Macy Militello fired the puck into the back of the net to cut the Bulldogs’ lead 3-1.

The Cardinals attempted to fight their way back. The goal gave life to the Cardinals as they controlled the puck and won battles for the puck, but they totalled four shots-on-goal in the third periods.

“I think they (Cardinals) played absolutely outstanding,” Olson said. “We really controlled the puck in the open ice and unfortunately it just didn’t end in our favor.”

But that life evaporated with 6:44 left in the third period. The Bulldogs received a two-minute power-play and again put Artz to the test.

Artz fought off the Bulldogs’ offense, making three saves and protecting the net. This changed with 4:57 left when Lucy Kleschult found Makenna Mueller, who backhanded the puck into the back of the net to give the Bulldogs a 4-1 lead.

Artz finished the game with 31 saves, while Messer finished the game with 14 saves.

Fairmont Area (4-9) plays host to Luverne at 1 p.m. Saturday at Martin County Arena in Fairmont in another league game.

MN River 1-2-1–4

Fairmont 0-0-1–1

Scoring Plays

1st Period

MR–Adrianna Bixby (Anna Pavlo and Emma Seaver), 7:45.

2nd Period

MR–Anna Pavlo (Adrianna Bixby and Emma Seaver), 11:31.

MR–Emma Seaver (Anna Pavlo and Sofie Wilson), 0:35.

3rd Period

FA–Macy Militello (unassisted), 12:52.

MR–Makenna Mueller (Lucy Kleschult), PP, 4:57.

Shots on goal: Minnesota River 8-13-14–35; Fairmont Area 7-4-4–15.

Saves: Hadley Artz (FA) 31; Amelia Messer (MR) 14

Penalties: Fairmont Area 2 for 4 minutes; Minnesota River 0 for 0 minutes.

Power-play chances: Fairmont Area 0-for-0; Minnesota River 1-for-2.