Women’s Hockey Faces No. 9 Mercyhurst and Findlay – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/23/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
Jan. 23, 2003
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State women’s ice hockey team (7-13-2, 5-7-2 WCHA) returns home for a match-up against No. 9 Mercyhurst (19-5-1) at 2:05 p.m. Saturday in Columbus. OSU then travels to Findlay, Ohio, where it will battle the Findlay Oilers (9-12-1) for the Ohio Cup at 2 p.m. Sunday.
THE BROADCAST
Saturday’s game will be broadcast live by The Underground: The Ohio State University’s only student run radio station.
For the first time ever, the student home of the Buckeyes will be broadcasting a “Game of the Week.” Either men’s and women’s soccer, women’s ice hockey, women’s basketball and lacrosse will be featured during the 2002-03 season as the Game of the Week.
The game can be heard on UNITS cable channel 4 or at www.underground.fm.
OHIO CUP
The Buckeyes will be looking to hold the Ohio Cup title when they battle the Oilers during the 2002-03 Ohio Cup game. Ohio State has held the reins of the award for the last two years. This is the third year of the event.
SIZING UP OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes are 7-13-2 overall and 5-7-2 in the WCHA. The Buckeyes have tallied 53 goals and 84 assists, averaging 2.4 goals per game. OSU has allowed 56 goals this season, averaging 2.5 goals against per contest. They have had 129 penalties totaling 280 minutes in the box, averaging 5.9 penalties per outing.
IMPRESSIVE SPECIAL TEAMS
OSU has held its opponents scoreless on 95-of-108 power-play chances this season, ranking ninth in the nation with an 88 percent success rate. With a 17.0 power play percentage, the Buckeyes are ranked 10th in the nation (19/112).
DOMINATING SHOTS
The Buckeyes have outshot their opponents in 18 of their 22 contests this season and are outshooting their opponents, 604-485, this season. They are averaging 27.5 shots per game compared to their opponent’s 22.0 shots per game.
BUCKEYES VS. LAKERS
Saturday will mark the first meeting between the teams.
SCOUTING NO. 9 MERCYHURST
The Lakers are 19-5-1 overall and 3-0-0 in College Hockey America. Against the WCHA, Mercyhurst is 6-2-0 defeating Bemidji State, St. Cloud State and Minnesota State. The Lakers lost two games to Wisconsin.
Leading the Lakers is junior Jessica Dillabough with 21 points, seven goals and 14 assists. C.J. Ireland is not far behind with 19 points, 10 goals and nine assists.
Goaltender Tiffany Ribble is leading in the net for the Oilers. Ribble has posted a 14-3-0 record and recorded 303 saves on 325 shots, a 1.35 goals against average.
LAKERS HEAD COACH
Michael Sisti made the switch from associate head coach of Mercyhurst’s men’s varsity hockey team to women’s head coach in March of 1999. His task: to build a Division I women’s program and to make it competitive as soon as possible. In three seasons he has done just that. The Lakers finished 23-6-0 in their opening season and ended the 2001-2002 season at 24-8-1 against some of the best Division I competition in the land. This past season, Sisti guided Mercyhurst to a GLWHA Championship and a Division I Top 10 ranking throughout most of the season.
BUCKEYES VS. OILERS
Ohio State is 4-2-0 against Findlay in the all-time series. The game will mark the ninth meeting between the teams.
SCOUTING FINDLAY
The Oilers are 9-12-1 overall and 1-3-0 in College Hockey America.
Sophomore Heidi Tallqvist is leading Findlay with 16 points on 12 goals and four assists. Freshman Michelle Hickley is not far behind with 14 points, six goals and eight assists.
In the net for the Oilers are senior Erin Blair and freshman Jessica Moffat. Blair is 5-5-0 this season and has recorded 300 saves with a .880 save percentage, a 3.73 goals against average. Moffat is 4-5-1 and has recorded 314 saves with a .925 save percentage, a 2.27 goals against average.
OILERS HEAD COACH
In his three years with the Oilers, Adam Brinker had guided the program in the right direction. Findlay suffered a setback last season, finishing with an 8-24-2 record. But, in 2000-01 the team finished with a 14-13-4 record and a Great Lakes Women’s Hockey Association championship. The inaugural season ended with an impressive 20-11-2 record.
LAST MEETING AGAINST
FINDLAY
Ohio State posted its second-consecutive 1-0 shutout over instate rival Findlay at the OSU Ice Rink. The win not only ensured the Ohio Cup will stay in Columbus for another year, but it also was the Buckeyes’ 17th of the year, breaking the program record for regular-season wins.
The Buckeyes outshot the Oilers, 12-9, in the first period but were unable to convert largely because of Findlay goalie Erin Blair’s play. Five of Ohio State’s shots came during three power plays, including a 5-on-3 opportunity just two minutes into the game.
Jeni Creary finally took full advantage of yet another Buckeye power play at the 14:05 mark of the second stanza. She converted off a shot to the top shelf that sailed over Blair’s left shoulder. Emily Hudak and Shana Frost recorded assists.
Findlay outshot Ohio State, 27-23. OSU netminder Melissa Glaser finished with 27 saves, including 11 in the third period alone, and her fifth shutout of the season. Blair stopped 22 Buckeye shots.
The Buckeyes converted on one of six power-play opportunities and the Oilers were unable to take advantage of five power-play chances.
WCHA STANDINGS
The Buckeyes have moved back up to fourth in the WCHA with 12 points, only two points behind Wisconsin, the third place team in the league. Ohio State is 5-7-2 in league play.
WCHA LEADERS
Ohio State players rank among the top in the WCHA in league games.
Power-Play Points: GP PPG G-A-P T3. Jeni Creary 14 0.64 3-6-9
Goals Against Average: Min. GA GAA 3. Natalie Lamme 330:47 11 2.00 5. April Stojak 515:42 22 2.56
Save Percentage: Saves GA Pct. 3. Natalie Lamme 125 11 .919
Scoring Offense: Goals G/GM 4. Ohio State 30 2.14
Scoring Defense: Goals G/GM 4. Ohio State 34 2.43
Penalty Minutes: PIM PIM/G 2. Ohio State 194 13.9
Power Play: Totals SHA PCT 5. Ohio State 11/73 0 15.1
Penalty Kill: Totals SHF PCT 4. Ohio State 64/73 1 87.7
SHUTOUTS
Ohio State has recorded three shutouts this season. The first was against St. Cloud State, 6-0, Nov. 30 in Columbus. The second was a 4-0 shutout over Princeton on the road Dec. 14. The Buckeyes shut out St. Cloud State again, 1-0, Jan. 18 in St. Cloud, Minn.
THE SWEEP
The squad has swept two two-game series this season. The first weekend out it swept Minnesota State in Mankato, Minn (Oct. 11-12). OSU’s second sweep was against St. Cloud State (Nov. 30-Dec. 1).
SOPHOMORE SENSATION
Sophomore Jeni Creary has played in all 22 contests and continues to lead the Buckeyes with 25 points, on 14 goals and 11 assists. She recorded the Buckeyes’ first hat trick this season against then-No. 4 Dartmouth Jan. 2. Creary is tied for 16th in the nation averaging 0.64 goals per game. She is also tied for fourth in the nation with six power-play goals.
LEADING THE D
Junior defenseman Emma Laaksonen is leading the Buckeye defense with 13 assists and is second on the team with 18 points this season. Laaksonen is eighth averaging 0.90 points per game among defensemen in the nation.
FRESHMAN SENSATION
Jana Harrigan is third on the team with 17 points on seven goals and 10 assists, this season. Harrigan is ranked 13th among rookies in the nation averaging 0.77 points per game.
IN THE NET
Ohio State’s goaltenders are senior April Stojak and freshman Natalie Lamme. Stojak has played 814:05 this season, recording 252 saves, and her record is 5-8-1. Stojak has recorded two shutouts, over Princeton and St. Cloud State, this season. Lamme has played in eight games, tallying 177 saves. Her record is 2-5-1. Lamme recorded one shutout against St. Cloud State.
FIRST SIGNEE
Jackie Barto announced the first recruit of the 2003-04 freshmen class. Tessa Bonhomme, a native of Sudbury, Ontario, signed an NCAA National Letter of Intent to attend The Ohio State University and play hockey beginning with the 2003-04 season.
Bonhomme is a 5-foot-7-inch defenseman from Sudbury, Ontario. She is a member of the Sudbury Midget “AA” Wolves under head coach Rod Schutt. She has played for the Lasalle Secondary School team since 1999 under head coach Peter Kallio.
ON THE ROAD
OSU is 4-6-2 on the road this season. The Buckeyes swept Minnesota State, Mankato, split against Princeton and St. Cloud State and were 0-1-1 at Bemidji State and Wisconsin.
LAST TIME OUT –
ST. CLOUD STATE – GAME 2
Ohio State fell to the St. Cloud State Huskies, 2-1, Jan. 19 in St. Cloud, Minn.
Ohio State came out strong at the beginning of the game and was unable to score in the period. Ohio State outshot St. Cloud State, 8-6, in the first 20 minutes of play.
The first goal of the game did not come until 8:06 into the second period. Ohio State’s Jeni Creary scored a power-play goal assisted by Jana Harrigan and Jennifer Desson. St. Cloud State’s Ashley Stewart tied the game on a power-play goal at 19:48. The second stanza ended tied at 1 and OSU leading SCSU 11-6 in shots.
The Buckeyes had a scoring chance at 9:32 of the third when SCSU’s Carrie Holldorf received a penalty for elbowing, but they were unable to capitalize on the opportunity. OSU’s Creary obtained a penalty for interference at 13:20 starting a Huskies’ power play. The Buckeyes penalty-killing unit stayed strong not allowing a Huskies goal. St. Cloud State took the lead at 17:18 when Kobi Kawamonto scored for the Huskies. Head coach Jackie Barto called a timeout at 18:47 to regroup her squad. Ohio State pulled its goalkeeper at 19:12 in an attempt to tie the game. The Buckeyes were unsuccessful.
OSU outshot the Huskies, 33-19. Ohio State held St. Cloud State on four of its five power-play opportunities. The Buckeyes were one-for-three on the power play.
Ohio State’s goalkeeper April Stojak (Sr., Kent, Ohio/Shattuck-St. Mary’s) saved 17 shots in 59:12 of play. St. Cloud State’s Laura Gieselman recorded 32 saves in 60:00.
LAST TIME OUT –
ST. CLOUD STATE – GAME 1
Ohio State shut out St. Cloud State, 1-0, Jan. 18 in St. Cloud, Minn.
Ohio State’s Jeanne Chapple scored the Buckeyes’ first goal of the game at 19:53, assisted by Shana Frost. The shots were even at 7-all at the end of the period.
The Buckeyes started the second period off with the momentum they gained in the first stanza. Ohio State held St. Cloud State scoreless but was unable to get anything in the net. Neither team scored in the period, shots were OSU eight and SCSU six.
The third period was a battle of the defenses. The Buckeyes had several shots on target but could not get the puck past SCSU’s goalkeeper. At the end of the period, Ohio State led the Huskies eight to six in shots.
The Buckeyes outshot the Huskies 23-19. Ohio State held St. Cloud State scoreless on all four of its power-play opportunities. OSU was zero-for-three on the power play.
Ohio State’s goalkeeper April Stojak saved 19 shots and recorded her second shutout of the season in 60:00 minutes of play. St. Cloud State’s Laura Gieselman recorded 22 saves in 60:00 minutes.
STARS OF THE GAME
Jeni Creary was named the No. 3 star of the game Jan. 19 by the St. Cloud State Sports Information Office.
Jeanne Chapple was named the No. 1 star of the game and April Stojak was named the No. 2 star of the game Jan. 18.
LAAKSONEN PLAYER OF THE WEEK
The WCHA announced Ohio State junior Emma Laaksonen was named the conference defensive player of the week for the week ending Dec. 15.
Laaksonen scored two goals in the 4-0 shutout against No. 8 Princeton Dec. 13. She aided the Buckeye penalty-killing unit, which held Princeton scoreless on all seven power plays during the series. Laaksonen was named the No. 1 star of the game Dec. 14.
Laaksonen is averaging 1.00 points per game, seventh in the nation among defensemen. She ranks second in points on the Buckeye squad with 16 overall.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
The WCHA announced Ohio State senior captain Emily Hudak was named the conference defensive player of the week for the week ending Dec. 1.
Hudak led the Buckeyes to a 6-0, 6-4, sweep of St. Cloud State with a team-high five points. She recorded three assists and tallied a team-best +3 in OSU’s shutout Nov. 30. She anchored a defense that allowed St. Cloud State 18 shots on goal, including four in each the first and second periods. Hudak tallied another two helpers in the Buckeyes’ victory Dec. 1.
“Emily had a solid weekend against St. Cloud State,” Jackie Barto, OSU head coach, said. “She played well on both the defensive and offensive sides of the puck. Emily was also a key part of our transition game.”
OHIO STATE REPRESENTED AT FOUR NATIONS CUP
Ohio State junior defenseman Emma Laaksonen competed for Team Finland in the 2002 Four Nations Cup, Nov. 6-10 in Kitchener, Ontario.
Laaksonen participated in all four games for Team Finland.
Laaksonen has competed in the prestigious tournament as a member of Team Finland since 1997. In the 2001 Four Nations Cup, Laaksonen recorded two assists.
The Four Nations Cup, previously known as the Three Nations Cup, is a round-robin tournament that has been held the last six years (1996-2001). Canada, Finland and the United States competed until 2000, when Sweden was added to the field.
She has been a member of the Finnish Team since 1997, competing in 72 games, recording seven goals and 11 assists.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ohio State sophomore Jeni Creary was named the WCHA Offensive Player of the Week for the conference for the week ending Oct. 13.
Creary recorded one goal and three assists in the Buckeyes’ 6-1 victory against Minnesota State, Mankato in the season opener Friday. She led the Buckeyes with two goals, including the game-winning score, and one assist Saturday in the 3-1 win against MSU. She completed the weekend with 16 shots and a +1 rating.
“Jeni had a very solid weekend and generated a lot of scoring opportunities, particularly in our power plays,” Jackie Barto, OSU head coach, said regarding Jeni’s accomplishments. “Jeni capitalized on her many scoring opportunities.”
COMMUNITY SERVICE ORIENTED
The Ohio State women’s ice hockey team and coaches recently participated in the first Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio (DSACO) Buddy Walk Oct. 27 at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Columbus.
The Buddy Walk raised funds to help support DSACO’s mission “to insure all persons with Down syndrome are given the opportunity to achieve their potential.” In addition, funds will go to support the National Down syndrome Society (NDSS)’s research, education and advocacy efforts.
NEW ASSISTANT COACH
Catherine Hanson recently was added to the OSU women’s ice hockey staff as an assistant coach. Hanson is a 1998 graduate of Providence College, where she received a degree in psychology and a minor in German.
Her responsibilities include developing the OSU defense, coordinating the recruiting process and assisting with daily practices and games.
Hanson began her coaching career as an assistant ice hockey coach at Colgate University during the 1999 season. This past year, she was an assistant coach at Wayne State University.
She also worked at the 2001 USA Hockey Mid-American District Camp in Kent, Ohio, and the 2002 USA Hockey Girls 14/15 Development Camp in Rochester, N.Y.
THE INAUGURAL CLASS
The first women’s ice hockey team at Ohio State played their first game Oct. 8, 1999, against Northeastern. The Buckeyes finished 8-26-3 overall and 6-15-3 WCHA. Nine players remain on the team – Katie Frohreich, Shana Frost, Carrie Gill, Emily Hudak, Lindsey Ogren, Chirstine Patno, Melissa Pirie, Lindsey Steblen and April Stojak.
The nine returning seniors bring a lot to the hockey program this season, since they have seen the program grow and mature from the beginning of its inaugural season in 1999-00.
“This year marks the graduation of our inaugural class of student-athletes in our program,” Jackie Barto, OSU head coach, said. “They will always be an important part of the history of our program. They have helped develop a strong foundation for our program that will continue to grow in the future. What they have accomplished here in their careers will be a part of our history forever. This years senior class will bring an intangible element as they lead us through an extremely competitive schedule.”
THE ROAD TO DULUTH
The Buckeyes play every WCHA team four times during the season, a two-game trip on the road and a two-game series at home. OSU will be playing two of the 2002 NCAA Frozen Four teams, Minnesota and Minnesota-Duluth.
“The WCHA has come so far in three years and is going to be even better than last year,” Barto said. “It is the most competitive women’s hockey leagues in the country. Which means we have to be very prepared and focused for every league game. But, it is going to make us the best team we can be in the long run.”
The non-league games also are important and the opponents are strong. OSU takes on Providence, Connecticut and Mercyhurst at home this season. Away opponents include Dartmouth,
St. Lawrence, who both ranked in the Top 10 last year, and Princeton.
The 2002 WCHA Championship will be held March 6-8 in Engelstad Arena at the University of North Dakota. The Buckeyes goal is to make it to the 2002 NCAA Frozen Four March 21 and 23 in Duluth, Minn.
FOLLOW THE BUCKEYES ONLINE
Information on the Ohio State women’s ice hockey team is available online at the official website of Ohio State Athletics, ohiostatebuckeyes.com. For up-to-the-minute women’s ice hockey scores, statistics and standings around the league and the nation, check out www.collegehockeystats.com. The official website of the WCHA is www.wcha.com.
UPCOMING PROMOTION
On Friday, February 14th, Valentine’s Day, the Ohio State Women’s Ice Hockey team will be fighting for two causes. The team will take on Minnesota State, Mankato on the ice and off the ice you can help the team support Breast Cancer Research by making a donation to the James Cancer Hospital.
The first 200 people to make donations also receive a commemorative pink Ohio State puck.
UP NEXT
The Buckeyes take on WCHA opponent the No. 2 Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs at 7:05 p.m. Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at the Pioneer Hall in Duluth, Minn.
