Buckeyes down North Dakota in second of weekend set

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the North Dakota Fighting Hawks 2-1 in a tight Game 2 at the Ohio State Ice Rink. Goaltending was the story once again in the WCHA battle, but it was the Buckeye freshmen that would step up and play. The North Dakota offense bombarded the Ohio State goal with 17 shots on net in the first period, but once again sophomore netminder Kassidy Suave was an impenetrable force in the net. The Buckeyes would only muster 7 shots on goal with one being effective. Ohio State once again drew first blood with a goal by freshman center Rebecca Freiburger at 19:31. Freiburger was assisted by freshman left wing Samantha Bouley.

“I actually made a bad pass up the middle,” Freiburger said when asked about her goal, “and Sam Bouley hustled for it and the puck just sort of popped out. Liv Halvorson was screening out front and the puck just came right to my stick.”

The Buckeyes would leave the ice ahead 1-0.

North Dakota would strike back tying the game with an impressive goal from the left circle by freshman center Sarah Lecavalier at 1:44. Lacavalier was assisted by freshman Emma Nuutinen and by freshman HallieTheodosopoulos. Not to be undaunted, Bouley would give the Buckeyes the lead at 4:14 with an amazing backhand beating Hawks goalie Lexie Shaw. Bouley was assisted by red shirt freshman defenseman Jincy Dunne and junior right wing Liv Halverson.

Head coach Nadine Muzerall was glad to see two of her freshmen scoring the goals in today’s victory, saying: “It’s something to look forward to, to have those girls on the team for the next four years.”

The Fighting Hawks would leave the ice with 11 shots on goal compared with The Buckeyes 6.

North Dakota ferociously attacked the Buckeye net with desperation. The Fighting Hawks forwards fired an amazing 14 shots only to be denied by Suave.

“Any time you play in our league it’s going to be a battle,” Muzerall said. “North Dakota came out hot in the first period and we were on our heels. But we stayed consistent in the second and third while they seemed to be dying out a little bit as the game went on. We just had to start simplifying our game. It also says a lot when you’re third line produces both goals, we needed that secondary scoring.”

The Buckeyes next opponent will the No. 1 ranked Wisconsin Badgers on December 9th and 10th.

December 3, 2016 : Ohio State Buckeyes goalie Kassidy Sauve (32) puts her mask on and readies herself to face North Dakota in their game at the Ohio State Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio.

December 3, 2016 : Ohio State Buckeyes defenseman Jincy Dunne (33) handles the puck as North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Ryleigh Houston (12) tries to poke check it away in their game at the Ohio State Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio.

December 3, 2016 : North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Emma Nuutinen (20) handles the puck against Ohio State in their game at the Ohio State Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio.

December 3, 2016 : Ohio State Buckeyes forward Lauren Spring (27) handles the puck against North Dakota in their game at the Ohio State Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio.

December 3, 2016 : North Dakota Fighting Hawks defenseman Abbey Stanley (27) collides with North Dakota Fighting Hawks defenseman Abbey Stanley (27) in their game at the Ohio State Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio.

December 3, 2016 : Ohio State Buckeyes forward Katie Matheny (23) handles the puck against North Dakota in their game at the Ohio State Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio.

December 3, 2016 : Ohio State Buckeyes forward Samantha Bouley (14) scores against North Dakota Fighting Hawks goalie Lexie Shaw (29) in their game at the Ohio State Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio.

December 3, 2016 : North Dakota Fighting Hawks goalie Lexie Shaw (29) makes the save against Ohio State in their game at the Ohio State Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio.

December 3, 2016 : Ohio State Buckeyes forward Samantha Bouley (14) handles the puck against North Dakota in their game at the Ohio State Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio.

December 3, 2016 : North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Vilma Tanskanen (16) takes a shot on goal against Ohio State in their game at the Ohio State Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio.

December 3, 2016 :Ohio State Buckeyes defenseman Dani Sadek (8 fights for the puck against North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Ryleigh Houston (12) in their game at the Ohio State Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio.

December 3, 2016 : Ohio State Buckeyes forward Breanne Grant (5) tries to slow down North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Ryleigh Houston (12) in their game at the Ohio State Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio.

December 3, 2016 : North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Ryleigh Houston (12) handles the puck against Ohio State in their game at the Ohio State Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio.

December 3, 2016 : Ohio State Buckeyes defenseman Elise Riemenschneider (2) handles the puck as North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Alyssa MacMillan (24) in their game at the Ohio State Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio.

December 3, 2016 : North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Ryleigh Houston (12) handles the puck against Ohio State in their game at the Ohio State Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio.

December 3, 2016 :North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Emma Nuutinen (20) goes one on one with Ohio State Buckeyes defenseman Lauren Boyle (6) in their game at the Ohio State Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio.

December 3, 2016 : North Dakota Fighting Hawks goalie Lexie Shaw (29) before facing Ohio State in their game at the Ohio State Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio.

December 3, 2016 : The Ohio State Buckeyes listen to the National Anthem before facing North Dakota in their game at the Ohio State Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio.