Women’s Ice Hockey Takes on No. 2 Minnesota-Duluth in Round Two – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
Jan. 29, 2003
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State women’s ice hockey team (8-14-2, 5-7-2 WCHA) battles the No. 2 ranked Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs at 8:05 p.m. EST Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at Pioneer Hall in Duluth, Minn.
SIZING UP OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes are 8-14-2 overall and 5-7-2 in the WCHA. The Buckeyes have tallied 56 goals and 89 assists, averaging 2.3 goals per game. OSU has allowed 59 goals this season, averaging 2.5 goals against per contest. They have had 134 penalties totaling 290 minutes in the box, averaging 5.6 penalties per outing.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
OSU is 5-6-2 on the road this season. The Buckeyes’ first weekend out, they swept Minnesota State, Mankato on the road. During its following two trips, it went 0-1-1 against Wisconsin and Bemidji State. OSU split against both Princeton and St. Cloud State.
LAAKSONEN OUT FOR SERIES
Emma Laaksonen will miss the series this weekend because she will be competing in the European Challenge Cup, three games between Finland and Sweden. Laaksonen will team up with Minnesota-Duluth defenseman Satu Kiipeli to play for Team Finland.
THE BROADCAST
The series this weekend will be carried live by WDSM AM 710 out of Duluth, Minn. The games also can be heard at www.warpardio.com or www.umdbulldogs.com.
BUCKEYES VS. BULLDOGS
Ohio State trails in the all-time series, 1-14-2. The Buckeyes are looking to settle the score against the Bulldogs. Their last meeting was Nov. 8 and 9 in Columbus, where UMD defeated OSU 5-0 and 3-0. The trip will mark the Buckeyes’ fourth visit to Duluth. The last time OSU traveled to Duluth, the Buckeyes fell in the opener, 4-2, but tied the Bulldogs at 3-all in the second game of the series.
SCOUTING NO. 2 UMD
The Bulldogs are ranked No. 2 in the USCHO.com poll with a 20-2-2 record. They are leading the WCHA with a 14-1-1 record. UMD lost to Harvard and Wisconsin this season and currently is on a three-game unbeaten streak.
Jenny Potter continues to lead the Bulldogs and the country in scoring with 59 points. She is on a 12-game point-scoring streak.
Patricca Sautter has played in 23 of UMD’s 24 games. Sautter has allowed 35 goals and is fifth in the nation with a 1.67 goals against average. Her save percentage is .912.
The Bulldogs will be missing three players in the series this weekend. Maria Rooth, Erika Holst and Satu Kiipeli will be competing in three Finland vs. Sweden exhibition games.
UMD has tallied the most penalty minutes in the nation with 433, averaging 18.0 minutes per game.
Ranked second in the nation, the Bulldogs power-play unit has scored on 37 of 141 power plays this season, a 26.2 percentage. The UMD penalty-killing unit is ranked third with a 92.8 percentage, 141/152.
BULLDOGS HEAD COACH
Shannon Miller, UMD head coach, enters her fourth season at the helm of the Bulldog program. Miller has led the team to two consecutive NCAA Championship titles (2001, 2002), in only three years at the helm. In her first three years at UMD Miller compiled a 77-16-11 record for a .793 winning percentage, earning the top spot among all women’s college hockey coaches.
LAST MEETING AGAINST
MINNESOTA-DULUTH – GAME 2
Ohio State was defeated by the No. 1 Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, 3-0, Nov. 9 in Columbus, Ohio.
The game started with OSU freshman Jana Harrigan recording a penalty for roughing 40 seconds into the game, starting a long list of penalties for both teams. The Bulldogs ended the first period scoring three goals, outshooting the Buckeyes 12-5 and tallying four penalties. Amelia Hradsky scored the game-winning goal at 5:04 unassisted. UMD’s Navada Russell scored unassisted at 10:11. Krista McArthur recorded the Bulldogs third and final goal on a power play from Jenny Hempel at 19:18. The period ended 3-0 Minnesota-Duluth.
The second period was a battle of the defenses. OSU held the Bulldogs scoreless and tallied three shots to UMD’s two. A fight broke out in front of the Ohio State bench at 17:31 between several players on both teams resulting in two minor penalties and two major penalties. The result was UMD’s Jenny Potter receiving two minutes for roughing, OSU’s Heather Farrell two minutes for checking, UMD’s Krista McArthur five minutes for roughing and OSU’s Shana Frost five minutes for cross checking. The period ended with Ohio State tallying six penalties to Minnesota-Duluth’s four.
The Buckeyes held the Bulldogs scoreless again in the third period. UMD tallied eight shots but all of them were deflected by OSU’s goalkeeper, April Stojak. Minnesota-Duluth’s Tricia Guest received five minutes in the penalty box for boarding when she caused Ohio State’s Jeni Creary to leave the game with an injury.
The game ended with Ohio State recording 13 penalties for a total of 29 minutes in the box. Minnesota-Duluth tallied 12 penalties (30 minutes). OSU held UMD on 10 of its 11 power-play opportunities. The Buckeyes were 0-for-10 on their power-play changes. The Bulldogs outshot the Buckeyes, 32-22.
LAST MEETING AGAINST
MINNESOTA-DULUTH – GAME 1
Ohio State fell to the No. 1 Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, 5-0 Nov. 8 in game one of the series in Columbus, Ohio.
The first period ended scoreless. The Buckeyes led the Bulldogs 11-5 in shots. Each team had several scoring opportunities but was unable to capitalize upon them.
Minnesota-Duluth dominated the second period, scoring three goals and recording 13 shots to OSU’s 4. Erika Holst scored UMD’s first goal at 7:32. Jenny Potter soon followed with a power-play goal at 8:49. The Bulldogs third goal was by Holst on a power play, assisted by Navada Russell and Maria Rooth. The period ended 3-0 Minnesota-Duluth.
Ohio State put up a fight in the third, but was not able to tally a goal. Minnesota-Duluth’s Tricia Guest scored 8:40 into the period assisted by Krista McArthur and Jenny Potter. Guest scored her second goal of the game at 16:01. In the third stanza, UMD outshot OSU 14-7.
Freshman Natalie Lamme played 60 minutes in net for Ohio State, recording 27 saves. UMD’s Patricia Sautter recorded 22 saves.
Ohio State’s Shana Frost led the team with five shots. Freshman Jana Harrigan and senior Lindsey Steblen each recorded four shots.
The Buckeyes held the Bulldogs on six of their eight power plays. OSU was 0-for-9 on its power plays. The Bulldogs outshot the Buckeyes 32-22.
WCHA STANDINGS
The Buckeyes, who were out of conference action last weekend, fell to fifth in the WCHA. Bemidji State moved from fifth to third by earning four points for its sweep of St. Cloud State. Minnesota-Duluth leads the league with 29 points, six points ahead of second-place Minnesota. With five weeks left in league action, the fight to secure a spot in the 2003 WCHA Women’s Final Five is getting close and vicious.
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
Save Percentage: Saves GA Pct. 2. Natalie Lamme 125 11 .919
Scoring Offense: Goals G/GM 5. Ohio State 30 2.14
Scoring Defense: Goals G/GM 3. 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
WCHA PIM
Ohio State is second in the WCHA with 194 penalty minutes. They are averaging 13.9 minutes per game. Minnesota-Duluth is leading the WCHA with 298 penalty minutes, averaging 18.6.
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).
SEASON ATTENDANCE HIGH
Ohio State recorded its highest home attendance this season Jan. 25 against Mercyhurst in the OSU Ice Arena. The Buckeyes all-time highest home attendance is 1,127, Feb. 16 vs. Minnesota State in the OSU Ice Arena.
SOPHOMORES LEADING IN POINTS
The sophomore class is leading the Buckeye squad with 52 points this season. Jeni Creary (25), Jennifer Desson (15), Meaghan Mulvaney (10) and Jaclyn Haines (2) all have tallied points. The juniors are next in line with 36 points, the seniors 34 points and the freshmen are trailing with 23.
APPROACHING 100 CAREER POINTS
Shana Frost and Emily Hudak are OSU’s all-time leaders in career points. They are approaching the 100-point mark. Frost has 91 points (42-49) and Hudak has 82 points (15-66).
HUDDY LEADING PENALTIES
Senior Emily Hudak is making her presence known to the opponents this season. She leads the Buckeyes with 55 minutes in the penalty box. She has 22 penalties and is averaging 0.917 penalties per game. Hudak’s career high is 45 penalties and 90 PIM (1999-00).
SOPHOMORE SENSATION
Sophomore Jeni Creary has played in all 23 contests and continues to lead the Buckeyes with 25 points, on 14 goals and 11 assists. Creary is ranked 20th in the nation averaging 0.58 goals per game. She also is tied for fourth in the nation with six power-play goals.
100 SHOTS THIS SEASON
Sophomore Jeni Creary is approaching 100 shots this season. She currently has 99 shots in 24 games, averaging 4.125 shots per game.
LEADING THE D
Junior defenseman Emma Laaksonen is leading the Buckeyes with 14 assists this season and ranks third on the squad with 19 points. Laaksonen is ninth among defensemen in the nation averaging 0.86 points per game.
FRESHMAN SENSATION
Jana Harrigan moved into second place in scoring on the Buckeye squad after recording the game-winning goal and an additional assist against Findlay. She has eight goals and 11 assists.
IN THE NET
Freshman Natalie Lamme currently is 3-5-1 and is ranked 11th in the nation with a 2.20 goals against average. She has played a total of 571:28 in net for the Buckeyes. Lamme also is ranked 28th with a .901 saves percentage.
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.
LAST TIME OUT
FINDLAY
Ohio State won its third-consecutive Ohio Cup game against the Findlay Oilers, 2-1, Jan. 26 in Findlay, Ohio.
Ohio State started the first period off strong with several scoring opportunities. The Oilers scored the first goal of the game at 13:19 by Janet Ploncinsky. The Buckeyes came back when Jeanne Chapple scored at 18:31 assisted by Jana Harrigan. At the end of the period, OSU led 12-6 in shots.
The second period was a battle of the defenses. Both teams fought for a goal but were unsuccessful. Ohio State had two power-play opportunities during the period, but it was unable to capitalize on the chance. Findlay led 6-5 in shots at the end of the period.
Early in the third period, OSU’s Harrigan scored an unassisted goal for the Buckeyes at 4:19 to take lead. Ohio State held strong during the period The Oilers called a timeout at 16:42 to regroup their squad. Findlay battled for another goal during the period, but the Buckeye defense held it scoreless. Findlay pulled its goalkeeper with 15 seconds remaining in the game.
Ohio State outshot Findlay 21-16. Ohio State held Findlay on two its three power-play opportunities. The Buckeyes were 0-for-5 on the power play.
Ohio State’s goalkeeper Natalie Lamme saved 15 shots in 60:00 minutes of play. Findlay’s Erin Blair recorded 19 saves in 59:45 minutes.
After the game the teams lined up on the blue lines for the trophy presentation. Ohio State captain Emily Hudak accepted the trophy for the Buckeyes.
LAST TIME OUT
MERCYHURST
Ohio State fell to the Mercyhurst Lakers, 2-1, Saturday afternoon in front of a season-high 397 crowd at OSU Ice Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The meeting marked the first time the teams met.
The first shot of the game was a goal by Mercyhurst’s Sara McDonald at 2:57. Ohio State’s first power-play opportunity came at 7:23 when Mercyhurst’s Lyndsay Barch recorded a penalty for interference. The Buckeyes were unable to score on the power play. OSU’s Heather Farrell put the Buckeyes on the board at 18:38. The goal was assisted by Emily Hudak and Erin O’Grady. The shots were tied with four at the end of the period.
Ohio State came out strong in the second period. The Lakers took the lead at 7:59 when Samantha Shirley scored. OSU’s Emily Hudak obtained a penalty for elbowing at 16:37. The Buckeyes’ second power-play chance came at 19:07, but again the special teams were unable to produce. At the end of the period, Mercyhurst led the scoreboard, but Ohio State led 7-4 in shots in the second stanza.
The third period was a battle of the defenses. Neither team was able to score. OSU had a power-play opportunity at 16:33, but again it was unable to capitalize on the chance. Ohio State’s Hudak recorded another penalty for tripping at 17:46. In a last attempt to tied the game, the Buckeyes pulled their goalkeeper with 14 seconds remaining. Mercyhurst led Ohio State 9-4 in shots.
Ohio State was outshot by Mercyhurst (17-15), for the first time in 12 games. Ohio State held Mercyhurst scoreless on all both of its power-play opportunities. The Buckeyes were 0-for-3 on the power play.
Ohio State’s goalkeeper April Stojak saved 15 shots in 59:46 minutes of play. Mercyhurst’s Tiffany Ribble recorded 14 saves in 60:00 minutes.
STARS OF THE GAME
April Stojak was named the No. 1 star of the game against Mercyhurst Jan. 25.
Jana Harrigan was named the No. 1 star of the game and Natalie Lamme was named the No. 2 star of the game against Findlay Jan. 26.
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.
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, Christine 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
Only five of the seven teams in the WCHA advance to the 2003 Women’s WCHA Final Five Championships.
The championship will be held March 6-8 in Engelstad Arena at the University of North Dakota.
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 fans can help the team support Breast Cancer Research by making a donation to the James Cancer Hospital.
The first 200 people to make donations will receive a commemorative pink Ohio State puck.
UP NEXT
Ohio State will be making its final road trip of the season Feb. 7-8 when it travels to Minneapolis, Minn, to face the No. 3 Minnesota Gophers.
