Ohio State
Minnesota Duluth
Buckeyes Fall 3-1 to No. 9 Bulldogs – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
Feb. 20, 2015
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State women’s hockey team dropped a 3-1 contest to ninth-ranked Minnesota Duluth Friday evening in Duluth, Minnesota. The Buckeyes (17-13-3, 12-12-3-1 WCHA) and Bulldogs (18-10-5, 13-10-4-2 WCHA) close the series, as well as the regular season, Sunday at 12:07 p.m. CT/1:07 p.m. ET.
Both teams were scoreless in the opening period of play. Rookie Kassidy Sauve started in goal for the Buckeyes, registering 12 saves in the stanza. Minnesota Duluth held a slight 12-9 advantage in shots, while no penalties were reported.
In the second, the Bulldogs scored 23 seconds into the period courtesy of a goal from senior Zoe Hickel. A primary threat on the offensive end of the ice, Hickel leads Duluth in scoring with 29 points for the season. Ohio State had an answer in senior Kari Schmitt, who responded with her sixth goal of the season at 9:28. Assisted on the play by classmate Taylor Kuehl, Schmitt’s goal locked the teams at one-goal apiece. Rookie Jessica Healey then scored the go-ahead goal for the Bulldogs. Finding the back of the net at 17:26, the score marked the first collegiate goal for Healey. Sauve added another 13 stops for the Buckeyes. UMD posted 15 shots in the period compared to 13 from the Buckeyes.
The Bulldogs again came out of the gates strong offensively, claiming a 3-1 lead on a power play just over a minute into the third. Junior Michela Cava tallied the goal, with Brigette Lacquette and Jenna McParland adding helpers. Ohio State applied pressure on the offensive end as well, registering a 14-9 advantage in shots; however, the Buckeyes were unable to light the lamp.
For the game, Sauve posted an impressive 33 saves in 57.06. Minnesota Duluth’s standout goalie Kayla Black countered with 35 stops of her own. The teams were even in terms of shot totals, with 36 each.
Ohio State went 0-for-3 on power play opportunities. The Buckeye penalty kill unit finished 2-for-3 vs. the Bulldogs.
