Ohio State
24-3-2, 19-3-1
Minnesota
23-3-2, 20-2-2
Ohio State Drops Game One at Minnesota, 4-2
2/3/2023 10:12:27 PM | Women's Ice Hockey
Box Score | Schedule | Roster | Season Stats
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 1 Ohio State women’s hockey team dropped a 4-2 decision to No. 3 Minnesota Friday night at Ridder Arena. The Buckeyes (24-3-2, 19-3-1 WCHA) tallied two goals consecutive goals to bring the game within one in the third period, but the Gophers (23-3-2, 20-2-2 WCHA) were able to hold off Ohio State for the win.
How it Happened
- Ohio State came out strong to start the game, throwing six shots on goal and keeping Minnesota to just one in the first five minutes of play
- At the end of the first period, Ohio State faced a one-goal deficit. The Buckeyes finished the first frame with nine shots on goal and goaltender Raygan Kirk posted 13 saves.
- The Gophers continued to push in the second period, scoring just 49 seconds off the first faceoff. Minnesota added its third goal of the day at 8:44, prompting Ohio State head coach Nadine Muzerall to call a timeout.
- From there, momentum shifted in favor of the Buckeyes. The team took seven shots in nearly a minute and a half, with the seventh resulting in a goal for Ohio State.
- Gabby Rosenthal scored the Buckeyes’ first goal of the game 12:36 in the second period after collecting her own rebound off the boards and knocking it past Minnesota goaltender Skylar Vetter.
- A penalty on Minnesota as the clock hit zero to end the second period put Ohio State on the power play to start the third. Jenn Gardiner cut the Gophers’ lead to one goal, scoring just 16 seconds into the final frame for Ohio State. She skated the puck a full 200 feet to record the Buckeyes’ second goal of the night.
- Ohio State continued to fight, adding another nine consecutive shots over four minutes. The Buckeyes had some good chances in the first half of the period, including a shot off the post by Sophie Jaques, but were unable to score the game-tying goal.
- At 13:46 in the third, Minnesota answered with its fourth goal to put a stop to the Buckeyes’ comeback.
- Ohio State pulled Kirk with just over 3:00 to play in the game for the extra skater but ultimately could not eliminate the Gophers’ advantage.
Game Notes
- Gabby Rosenthal scored her 99th career point with Ohio State’s first goal of the day. The goal is her 16 of the year and 28th point of the season.
- Jenn Gardiner tallied two points on the night for her 14th multi-point game of the year. The senior has now recorded 44 points this season and has tied the team high 27 assists.
- Gardiner’s goal was her third power play goal of the year. The Buckeyes are now .337 on the power play this season.
- Jaques added an assist on Rosenthal’s goal, her 38th point of the season and 90th assist of her career. The defenseman is just the fourth Ohio State player to reach 90 or more career assists. She is now tied for fifth-most career points (146) in program history.
- The loss is just the second for Ohio State in regulation this year. The team’s only other regulation loss this season was against Minnesota earlier this season by a score of 4-2.
- Ohio State help Minnesota to just 27 shots on goal on Friday. The Gophers were averaging 39.63 entering the weekend.
Statistically Speaking
Total Shots: Ohio State 62, Minnesota 50
Shots on Goal: Ohio State 33, Minnesota 27
Saves: Minnesota (Vetter) 31, Ohio State (Kirk) 23
Power Play: Ohio State 1-3, Minnesota 1-3
Faceoffs: Minnesota 33, Ohio State 32
Ohio State Scoring: Gardiner (1-1-2), Rosenthal (1-0-1), Jaques (0-1-1)
Up Next
The Buckeyes and Gophers meet for game two of the series tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 4. Puck drop is set for 3 p.m. ET from Ridder Arena. The game will be streamed on B1G+.
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