Women’s Hockey Sweeps League Awards – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/20/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
Nov. 20, 2001
COLUMBUS, Ohio-The Western Collegiate Hockey Association-Women’s League announced it has named Ohio State’s Emma Laaksonen (So., Espoo, Finland/Makelanrinteen) player of the week and Jeni Creary (Fr., Shell Lake Saskatchewan/Notre Dame College) rookie of the week for the week ending Nov. 18. Laaksonen recorded two power-play goals, including the gamewinner, and assisted on the first goal in the Buckeyes’ 4-3 win over Providence Nov. 18. Creary, the national scoring leader, scored the go-ahead goal against Providence and tallied two assists to help Ohio State to a 3-1 victory over Connecticut Nov. 16.
“It was a great weekend for our team in terms of emotion and energy,” Jackie Barto, OSU head coach, said. “To have two of our athletes recognized is terrific. Although these are individual awards, they reflect the success of the entire team.”
Laaksonen anchored a Buckeye defense that allowed UConn just seven shots on goal and was an integral part of Ohio State’s specialty teams in both games. She was on the ice for all three Buckeye power-play goals (Ohio State was 3-for-9 on the weekend) and led a penalty-kill unit that killed 10-of-11 penalties in two games. After seeing action in only eight games, the sophomore defenseman is tied for second on the team with eight points from three goals and five assists and has five power-play points.
“Emma had an outstanding game against Providence,” Barto said. “She was very important in the transitional game and on the breakout. She played very well on the defensive side of the puck.”
Creary was on the ice for all seven Ohio State goals on the weekend and took eight shots on net. She set up two of the Buckeyes’ three goals against UConn, nabbing the primary assist on the gamewinner. The rookie left wing also played a crucial role in the success of the Buckeyes’ power-play and penalty-kill units.
“Jeni has been generating offense both with and without the puck,” Barto said. “She is still seeing a lot of success despite being marked by other teams. Jeni is a definite threat on the ice when she has the puck.”
Creary continues to lead the nation in goals (12) and points with 19 (12 goals, seven assists). Through 12 games, she has taken 61 shots on net and sports a +9 rating.
This week marks the second time Creary has claimed a league award-she was named WCHA Player of the Week Oct. 22-and the third league honor for the Buckeyes this season.
Ohio State (5-5-2 overall, 2-4-2 in the WCHA), riding a three-game winning streak, will battle defending national champion Minnesota-Duluth in a Thanksgiving weekend series. The Buckeyes and No. 1 Bulldogs face off at 8:05 p.m. (EST) Friday and Saturday at UMD’s DECC Arena.
