Ohio State
19-4-0, 15-4-0
Minnesota
19-7-1, 14-6-1
No. 3 Ohio State Wins Overtime Thriller Against No. 2 Minnesota, 2-1
1/28/2022 11:03:11 PM | Women's Ice Hockey
Box Score | Schedule | Roster | Season Stats
COLUMBUS, Ohio – With just 1:31 left in overtime, Liz Schepers scored the game-winning goal to push the No. 3 Ohio State women’s hockey team over No. 2 Minnesota, 2-1, Friday night at the OSU Ice Rink. The Buckeyes improve to 19-4-0 on the year with the win while the Golden Gophers fall to 19-7-1.
How it Happened
The Buckeyes found themselves in a 2-on-1 situation with just over a minute and a half to play in overtime. Jenna Buglioni slid Schepers the puck across the Gopher goal crease and the Ohio State captain buried her shot to give the Buckeyes the win.
Ohio State faced a one-goal deficit headed into the third period, with Minnesota’s Taylor Heise giving her team the lead at 9:43. Madison Bizal eliminated the Gopher lead, scoring the equalizer at 11:07 off assists from Jenn Gardiner and Sophie Jaques.
It was an even battle through the first half of the game, with Ohio State and Minnesota closing out the first period tied at zero with eight shots a piece. The teams both had five shots on goal in the first nine minutes of the second stanza until the Gophers put one on the board.
Amanda Thiele played one of her best games of her Buckeye career on Friday night, making 36 saves for Ohio State. The win marked her ninth of her career and seventh of the season.
Game Notes
- For just the second time this season, and first at the OSU Ice Rink, the Buckeyes were forced to go to extra time. The team improves to 1-1-0 in overtime contests.
- Madison Bizal’s second period power play goal is her second of her career and first since the 2019-20 season. The goal is her second of the season and 20th point of the year.
- The Buckeyes, who lead the nation in power play percentage, scored their 22nd power play goal of the season tonight.
- Liz Schepers’ game-winning goal is her third of the season and 11th of her career. She is now tied for fourth in Ohio State history for career game-winning goals. She is tied with Madison Fields (2015-19) and Ally Tarr (2011-14).
- Amanda Thiele’s 36 saves are a season-high for the Buckeyes this year and a career single-game high for the sophomore goaltender. She has now made 240 saves for her career.
- Sophie Jaques led the team with two points against Minnesota. She assisted both Buckeye goals to bring her season point total to 41. She has recorded 26 helpers on the year and ties for second nationally in assists. She is now second in the Buckeye record book for season points by a defenseman, just four shy of Tessa Bonhomme’s record 45 points during the 2007-08 season.
- Riley Brengman led the Buckeyes with four blocked shots on the day. The team blocked 20 shots in the game, the second most this season.
Statistically Speaking
Shots: Minnesota 37, Ohio State 32
Saves: Ohio State (Thiele) 36, Minnesota (Bench) 30
Power Play: Ohio State 1-3, Minnesota 0-2
Faceoffs: Ohio State 31, Minnesota 30
Ohio State Scoring: Jaques (0-2-2), Bizal (1-0-1), Schepers, (1-0-1), Buglioni (0-1-1), Gardiner (0-1-1)
Up Next
The Buckeyes and Golden Gophers meet for game two of the series tomorrow, Jan. 29 at 3 p.m. Admission to Ohio State women’s hockey games at the OSU Ice Rink is free.
#GoBucks
