Ohio State Shuts Out Bemidji State to Advance to WCHA Final Faceoff

Saturday, March 2

Columbus, Ohio

3 p.m.

Ohio State

31-3-0

Bemidji State University

4-30-2

Bemidji St.

Ohio St.

Ohio State Shuts Out Bemidji State to Advance to WCHA Final Faceoff

3/2/2024 8:03:00 PM | Women's Ice Hockey

Box Score

Box Score | Schedule | Roster | Season Stats

COLUMBUS, Ohio – For the seventh consecutive season, the No. 1 Ohio State women's hockey team has advanced to the WCHA Final Faceoff. The Buckeyes (31-3-0, 26-2-0 WCHA) defeated Bemidji State (4-30-2, 3-24-1 WCHA), 8-0, in game two of the conference quarterfinals Saturday afternoon at the OSU Ice Rink to book their ticket to Minneapolis.

How it Happened
Similar to Friday's game, the Buckeyes started the game with a three-goal first period. Graduate forward Jenn Gardiner scored the game-winning goal 1:13 into the game off an assist from Kiara Zanon. Lauren Bernard extended the team's lead at 3:49, this time with Zanon and Jenna Buglioni credited with the assists. Buglioni tallied the third goal of the period and capitalized on Ohio State's first power play of the game, scoring at 11:23 off assists from Cayla Barnes and Kiara Zanon.

Bemidji State held the Buckeyes scoreless for the next 20 minutes. But, once Sloane Matthews lit the lamp at 12:15 in the second period, Ohio State went on to score twice more in two and a half minutes. After earning the first assist on Matthews' goal, Dunne scored at 13:10 with assists from Olivia Mobley and Lauren Bernard. Jordan Baxter followed with a power play goal assisted by Dunne and Gardiner at 14:46.

In the final frame, Bilka scored her second goal in as many games at16:09 and Gardiner scored her second of the game at 17:16. Webster assisted Bilka and Hadley Hartmetz earned the apple on the final goal of the day.

The Buckeyes only allowed four shots on goal in the first 40 minutes of play and finished the day outshooting Bemidji State, 62-9.

Game Notes

Gardiner's two-goal game against Bemidji State marks her fifth multi-goal game this season. With 41 points this season, she is the second Buckeye to record over 40 points on the year.
Raygan Kirk posted her seventh shutout of the season on Saturday. She now ranks third in the Ohio State record book for saves in a season. Her nine shutouts in her Buckeye career rank sixth-most by an Ohio State goaltender. She improves to 18-1-0 on the year.
Zanon's tallied a season-best three assists in the first period for Ohio State.
Jordan Baxter scored her first career power play goal for the Buckeyes in Saturday's game. Ohio State tallied two power play goals in a game for the fourth time this season.
For the second straight game, Ohio State recorded 62 shots on goal.

Statistically Speaking
Shots on Goal: Ohio State 62, Bemidji State 9
Saves: Bemidji State (Thompson, Kelley) 54, Ohio State (Kirk) 9
Power Play: Ohio State 2-4, Bemidji State 0-1
Faceoffs: Ohio State 44, Bemidji State 21
Ohio State Scoring (G-A-P): Gardiner (2-1-3), Dunne (1-2-3), Zanon (0-3-3), Bernard (1-1-2), Buglioni (1-1-2), Webster (0-2-2), Baxter (1-0-1), Bilka (1-0-1), Matthews (1-0-1), Barnes (0-1-1), Hartmetz (0-1-1), Mobley (0-1-1),

Up Next
Ohio State will play in the semifinals of the 2024 WCHA Kwik Trip Final Faceoff on Friday, March at 2 p.m. ET. The winner from Friday's semifinals will advance to Saturday's championship game. The games will be streamed on B1G+ (subscription required).

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