Ohio State
20-11-5
Wisconsin (B1G Tournament Quarterfinals)
14-20-2
No. 11 Buckeyes Advance in B1G Tournament with OT Win
3/7/2020 11:25:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 11-ranked Ohio State men's hockey team completed a sweep of Wisconsin in a Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal best-of-three series with a 2-1 overtime win Saturday, advancing to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.
Saturday against the Badgers, Buckeye goalie Tommy Nappier had 29 saves in the win and freshman Jaedon Leslie notched the gamewinner just 1:12 into overtime. Carson Meyer had the Buckeyes' first goal for a five-goal, six-point series.
In the semifinals, No. 2 seed Ohio State will host No. 3 Michigan, which swept No. 6 Michigan State with two 3-0 wins, at 5:30 p.m. next Sunday (March 15) in Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus. Tickets will go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Monday.
Ohio State, which won the series opener vs. the Badgers 9-1 and is the No. 2 seed in the tournament, is now 20-11-5 on the year. The No. 7 seed Badgers end their season 14-20-2.
Quoting Buckeye head coach Steve Rohlik
On the playoff feel to the game tonight
"Their season was on the line tonight. We knew they were going to empty the tanks. They gave us everything they had. If it wasn't for his [Nappier] big save there, we probably wouldn't be talking about a win."
On playing in so many one-goal games all year
"To play in as many close games as we have, our guys are confident all the way through."
Press conference with Tommy Nappier, Coach Rohlik and Jaedon Leslie after the 2-1 OT win over the Badgers for the series win.#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/VDZxgrdwgx
— Ohio State Men's Hockey (@OhioStateMHKY) March 8, 2020
? What a stop! Tommy Nappier with the stick save to keep the game tied late in the third. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/NAIMUUJG8w
— Ohio State Men's Hockey (@OhioStateMHKY) March 8, 2020
Ohio State vs. Wisconsin
In the First … No goals were scored in the opening 20 minutes. The Buckeyes put 10 shots on net, with Wisconsin getting nine through. Wisconsin had two power play chances, Ohio State one, and each team had three power play shots.
In the Second … At 8:07 Carson Meyer scored his fifth goal of the weekend, converting on the power play. Quinn Preston got the puck to Tanner Laczynski along the wall and he passed to Meyer in the slot for a quick shot. Dylan Holloway tied the game for the Badgers with a power play goal of their own, with his shot from the point getting through. Wisconsin had the shot advantage, 12-11, in the stanza and each team was 1-for-1 on the power play.
In the Third … The teams were unable to break the deadlock in the third, with Wisconsin ahead in shots, 9-7. Buckeye goalie Tommy Nappier kept the game tied with an outstanding stick save on a point blank chance with just over five minutes left in regulation. Ohio State had a power play chance in the final four minutes, but was able to get just one shot on net, while Nappier was forced to make a save on a Badger shorthanded opportunity.
In Overtime … Early in overtime, Gustaf Westlund carried the puck into the Badger zone, where it went to the side of the net. Ronnie Hein was there to throw it toward the front and freshman Jaedon Leslie redirected it five-hole for the winner at 1:12. The goal was the only shot in OT.
Shots … Ohio State was outshot, 30-29, in the game. Nappier allowed just one goal for the second straight night, making 29 saves. The Buckeyes blocked 14 shots; Meyer had a team-best four and Grant Gabriele blocked two.
Special Teams … Each team was 1-for-3 on the power play.
