Ohio State
27-4-2, 22-4-1
Wisconsin
23-8-2, 19-6-2
Buckeyes’ Comeback Stalled by Badgers, Fall 6-5 in Madison
2/18/2023 7:40:10 PM | Women's Ice Hockey
Box Score | Schedule | Roster | Season Stats
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 1 Ohio State women’s hockey team battled back from a four-goal first period deficit to take No. 6 Wisconsin to overtime on Saturday night, but ultimately fell, 6-5, at LaBahn Arena. Jenn Gardiner and Emma Maltais each tallied two goals to help the Buckeyes (27-4-2, 22-4-1 WCHA) in their comeback against the Badgers (23-8-2, 19-6-2).
How it Happened
- Wisconsin got out to a hot start in the first period, scoring four goals in the first 17:12 of play in Madison.
- In the second period, the Buckeyes held the Badgers scoreless and added two goals of their own to cut the Wisconsin lead to two goals. Jenn Gardiner put the Buckeyes on the board at 1:38 into the period and Emma Maltais added the second at 12:42. Lauren Bernard, Sophie Jaques and Makenna Webster added assists on the goals.
- Ohio State outshot the Badgers 11-5 in the second frame to start to chip away at its deficit.
- Brooke Bink scored just her second goal of the season at 3:11 into the third period to bring the Buckeyes within one of tying the game. Bernard added her second assist of the day on the goal.
- Wisconsin managed to tally another goal at 7:20 to take back the two-goal lead in the final period of regulation.
- Ohio State capitalized on its second and final power play of the day as Gardiner scored her second goal at 12:42, just 30 seconds into the man-up opportunity. Madison Bizal earned the helper on the goal.
- With just 2:19 to play in the game and down one goal, Maltais knocked a rebounded shot from Bernard past Wisconsin’s Cami Kronish to even the game at 5-5 and send the game to overtime.
- A penalty for handling the puck was assessed to the Buckeyes at 2:06 in the overtime period and Wisconsin was awarded a penalty shot. Badger Kirsten Simms put it past Ohio State goaltender Amanda Thiele to give Wisconsin the 6-5 win.
Game Notes
- Lauren Bernard led the Buckeyes with a career-high tying three points against Wisconsin. She tallied three assists in the game to tie her career-high assists in a single game.
- Emma Maltais and Jenn Gardiner each scored two goals in the game to lead the Buckeyes. Maltais’ two points put her at 198 for her career. Gardiner has now recorded 51 points on the year, extending her team point lead.
- The Buckeyes earn one point with the overtime loss. The team needs one more point for a share of the WCHA regular season title and two points to earn it outright and take the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament.
Statistically Speaking
Total Shots: Ohio State 80, St. Thomas 55
Shots on Goal: Ohio State 42, Wisconsin 32
Saves: Wisconsin (Kronish), Ohio State (Thiele) 26
Power Play: Ohio State 1-2, Wisconsin 2-3
Faceoffs: Ohio State 33, Wisconsin 28
Ohio State Scoring: Bernard (0-3-3), Gardiner (2-0-2), Maltais (2-0-2), Bink (1-0-1), Bizal (0-1-1), Jaques (0-1-1), Levis (0-1-1), Webster (0-1-1)
Up Next
The Buckeyes and Badgers meet for the final game of the regular season tomorrow, Feb. 19 at LaBahn Arena. Puck drop is set for 3 p.m. ET in Madison and the game will be streamed on B1G+ (subscription required).
#GoBucks
