COLUMBUS, Ohio – The number seven ranked Ohio State Women’s Hockey Team defeated the fifth ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers 3-2 in a hotly contested game at the Ohio State Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio. Minnesota came into this game winning four out of their last five games while the Buckeyes won three out of their last five, sweeping Robert Morris for two games last weekend in Columbus. When these teams met last met in Minneapolis in October, the Buckeyes swept the Golden Gophers in the two game weekend.
January 18, 2018: Ohio State Buckeyes defenseman Jincy Dunne (33) takes a shot on the Minnesota net in their game in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Brent Clark Photos
The back and forth action was like watching two heavyweight boxers with knockout power exchange heavy blows. The Buckeyes began to put on the pressure shooting 14 shots against the Gopher net. Emma Maltais notched her 11th goal of the season on a 3 on 1 rush at 1:20 in the first period. The assists went to senior Lauren Spring and junior Lauren Boyle. The first period ended with the Buckeyes ahead 1-0.
Minnesota came roaring back in the second period shooting 14 shots on the Buckeye net. Sophomore forward Alex Woken evened the score on a power play goal with assists going to senior defenseman Sydney Baldwin and freshman defenseman Olivia Knowles at 5:07. Minnesota took the lead 8:24 with a goal by freshman Grace Zumwinkle. Zumwinkle was assisted by Baldwin and freshman forward Taylor Wente. The second period finished with the Gophers on top 2-1.
The fierce battle for the win came in the third period. Ohio State turned the Minnesota goal into a shooting gallery firing 15 shots on goal. Junior forward Charly Dahlquist tied the game at 10:48 on a power play with assists credited to sophomore defenseman Jincy Dunne and junior netminder Kassidy Suave. The game winning goal was scored by freshman forward Liz Schepers at 16:04 with assists going to senior Juliann Iaffalo and junior Maddy Field.
“We talk about being relentless, and that’s exactly what we were tonight,” head coach Nadine Muzerall said. “They could have hung their heads when we went down 2-1, but they showed their character and made the plays we needed to get this big win. The girls showed what they can accomplish when they play as a unified front, and tonight that effort was rewarded with a win over an outstanding team.”
January 18, 2018: Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Nicole Schammel (25) carries the puck against Ohio State in their game in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Brent Clark Photos
January 18, 2018: Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Nicole Schammel (25) carries the puck against Ohio State in their game in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Brent Clark Photos
January 19, 2019: Ohio State Buckeyes forward Emma Maltais (17) trips up Minnesota Golden Gophers defenseman Sydney Baldwin (C) (9) in their game in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Brent Clark Photos
January 19, 2018: Minnesota Golden Gophers goaltender Sidney Peters (37) watches the puck against Ohio State in their game in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Brent Clark Photos
January 19, 2018: Minnesota Golden Gophers defenseman Sydney Baldwin (C) (9) carries the puck against Ohio State in their game in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Brent Clark Photos
January 19, 2018: Ohio State Buckeyes forward Tatum Skaggs (11) fights for the puck against Minnesota Golden Gophers defenseman Olivia Knowles (24) in their game in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Brent Clark Photos
January 18, 2018: Ohio State Buckeyes forward Tatum Skaggs (11) and Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Grace Zumwinkle (12) fight for the puck in their game in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Brent Clark Photos
January 18, 2018: Ohio State Buckeyes forward Lauren Spring (C) (27) fights for the puck against Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Alex Woken (20) in their game in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Brent Clark Photos
January 18, 2018: Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Grace Zumwinkle (12) handkes the puck against Ohio State in their game in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Brent Clark Photos
January 18, 2018: Ohio State Buckeyes defenseman Jincy Dunne (33) fights for the puck against Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Alex Woken (20) in their game in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Brent Clark Photos
January 19, 2018: Ohio State Buckeyes forward Liz Schepers (21) celebrates her goal against Minnesota with her teammates in their game in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Brent Clark Photos
January 18, 2018: Ohio State Buckeyes forward Maddy Field (12) takes a shot on net before facing Minnesota in their game in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Brent Clark Photos
January 18, 2018: Ohio State Buckeyes goaltender Kassidy Sauve (32) makes the save before facing Minnesota in their game in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Brent Clark Photos
January 18, 2018: Ohio State Buckeyes forward Charly Dahlquist (5) handles the puck before facing Minnesota in their game in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Brent Clark Photos
January 18, 2018: Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Caitlin Reilly (23) carries the puck against Ohio State in their game in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Brent Clark Photos
January 18, 2018: Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Caitlin Reilly (23) carries the puck against Ohio State in their game in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Brent Clark Photos
January 18, 2018: Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Cara Piazza (C) (10) carries the puck against Ohio State in their game in Columbus, Ohio. Brent Clark/Brent Clark Photos
You must be logged in to post a comment.