Nov. 22, 2014
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State women’s hockey team scored two late goals to force overtime against North Dakota Friday evening in Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D. Neither team was able to convert in extra time, resulting in a 2-2 tie. Ohio State went on to win the shootout, 1-0, in three rounds. The Buckeyes (7-6-1, 5-5-1-1 WCHA) and UND (4-7-2, 3-6-2-1 WCHA) will close the series at 4 p.m. CT/ 5 p.m. ET Saturday.
Sophomore Claudia Kepler fueled the Scarlet and Gray comeback, scoring the equalizing goal with two seconds remaining in regulation. Assisted on the play by seniors Sara Schmitt and Danielle Gagne, the goal was Kepler’s second of the period. The Verona, Wis., native originally put the Buckeyes on the board at 16:25 off a feed from Schmitt and Julia McKinnon. The goals marked Kepler’s fourth and fifth of the season.
The Buckeyes gained momentum after two UND players received five-minute major penalties in the third period. Unable to convert on the power place chances, Kepler capitalized just two seconds after North Dakota returned to full strength.
UND scored its first goal in the final 12 seconds of the first period, solidifying a 1-0 lead into intermission. Senior Stacy Danczak started in goal for the Buckeyes, earning five saves in the opening stanza. The Buckeyes fended off one UND power play opportunity, while Ohio State’s power play unit went 0-for-1. North Dakota held a slight 6-5 advantage in shots.
In the second, Ohio State once again outshot North Dakota, 8-4, but ended the period trailing by two.
For the game, the Buckeyes posted 26 shots compared to 18 from UND. Danczak played 58:57 minutes in her second career start, recording 12 saves. Shelby Amsley-Benzie played all 65 minutes for UND and made 24 stops. Ohio State went 0-for-4 on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
