Buckeyes Beat Gophers, 4-1, in Return to Ridder

Saturday, October 18

Minneapolis, Minn.

3 p.m. (2 p.m. CT)

Ohio State

5-0-0, 3-0-0

Minnesota

6-1-0, 2-1-0

Ohio St.

Minnesota

Buckeyes Beat Gophers, 4-1, in Return to Ridder

10/18/2025 7:36:00 PM | General, Women's Ice Hockey

Box Score

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 2 Ohio State women's hockey team defeated No. 3 Minnesota, 4-1, Saturday afternoon at Ridder Arena. In the team's first time back at Ridder Arena since the 2025 national championship game, the Buckeyes (5-0-0, 3-0-0 WCHA) handed the Gophers (6-1-0, 2-1-0 WCHA) their first loss of the season.

The Short Story
Ohio State took the lead 2:42 into the first period and never let up. The Buckeyes set the tone from the first whistle, outshooting Minnesota, 20-6, in the opening frame and finishing with a 46-29 shot advantage over the Gophers. Buckeye netminder Hailey MacLeod had a career best outing as she held Minnesota scoreless for 54 minutes of play on Saturday, including a couple one-on-one chances for the Gophers.

MacLeod's performance in goal plus the Buckeyes' success on special teams with a power play goal, a penalty shot goal and finishing 100% on the penalty kill proved key in the team's first WCHA road game of the season.

How it Happened

Ohio State got an early power play opportunity after a roughing call on Minnesota 49 seconds into the game. Kassidy Carmichael capitalized for the Buckeyes, scoring with eight seconds remaining on the player advantage.
The Buckeyes allowed just six shots in the period with MacLeod standing tall in net. She shut down a breakaway by the Gophers' Abbey Murphy with three minutes to play in the period to keep Minnesota scoreless in the first.
The second period also started with an early power play, this time for the Gophers 47 seconds into the frame. Ohio State killed off back-to-back penalties, including a 5-on-3, with MacLeod stopping four shots by the Gophers in their 2:47 on the power play.
Joy Dunne skated the puck from inside her own zone into Gopher territory and sent a shot into the goal at 11:27 to put Ohio State up 2-0.
Ohio State was awarded a penalty shot after Hilda Svensson was hooked on a breakaway in front of Minnesota's goal at 18:13. She took the shot and scored to put the Buckeyes ahead, 3-0, at the second intermission.
The Gophers outshot the Buckeyes, 15-9, in the middle frame, but MacLeod shut down every Minnesota chance.
Minnesota tallied its lone goal of the game with 5:52 to play in the third period. The Buckeyes didn't allow the Gophers to empty their net until 1:41 remaining, and Jocelyn Amos scored on the open net just 15 seconds later for the 4-1 lead.

Game Notes

MacLeod's 28 saves were the most of her Buckeye career and her most saves in a game since stopping 39 shots against the Buckeyes in the 2024 WCHA Final Faceoff semifinals.
Carmichael's power play goal was her first of her career. The Buckeyes have now scored four times on the power play this season.
The penalty shot was the Buckeyes' first since Jan. 21 of last season against Mercyhurst.
Ohio State blocked 13 shots on the day with Emma Peschel stopping four and Mira Jungåker blocking three. The team entered the contest with nine blocked shots in four games played.

Statistically Speaking
Shots on Goal: Ohio State 46, Minnesota 29
Saves: Minnesota (Clark) 43, Ohio State (MacLeod) 28
Power Play: Ohio State 1-2, Minnesota 0-3
Faceoffs: Ohio State 34, Minnesota 21
Ohio State Scoring: Dunne (1-1-2), Amos (1-0-1), Carmichael (1-0-1), Svensson (1-0-1), Jungåker (0-1-1), Matthews (0-1-1), Raunio (0-1-1), Swiderski (0-1-1)

Up Next
The Buckeyes and Gophers face off for game two of the series tomorrow, Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. from Ridder Arena. The game will be streamed on B1G+ (subscription required) and televised locally in the Twin Cities on FOX9+.

#GoBucks