The Ohio State women’s hockey team was in Grand Forks this week, battling North Dakota for critical conference points. The lady Bucks bring two of those points home following Friday’s shootout victory and tonight’s loss.
In the series opener the Buckeyes found themselves in a two-goal hole going into the third period. The ladies rallied, though. Sophomore Claudia Kepler was the heroine of regulation, potting two goals and drawing Ohio State even with North Dakota. Her second tally hit the twine with a mere two seconds remaining on the clock.
| friday | 1 | 2 | 3 | final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 (wins shootout 1-0) |
| North Dakota | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Neither team was able to best the other in overtime. Both teams earned a point for the OT tie. The Buckeyes emerged victorious from the shootout, grabbing the extra point. Julia McKinnon was the only shooter to find the back of the net in the skills comp.
Ohio State nearly managed another late game comeback in tonight’s game. OSU and UND went back and forth on the scoreboard. Kayla Sullivan kicked off the scoring at 6:18 of the first period. The goal was the senior’s second of the season. She was assisted on the play by Cara Zubko and Bryanna Neuwald.
North Dakota evened the score later in the frame. The teams headed to the intermission deadlocked at 1-1. The Buckeyes pulled ahead for a second time as Kari and Sara Schmitt set up a power play strike by Taylor Kuehl.
| saturday | 1 | 2 | 3 | final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| North Dakota | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
The Bucks held their lead through the second period, but in the third UND achieved a comeback of its own. Three unanswered, even-strength goals left Ohio State with another late game two goal deficit.
The ladies were able to get one of those goals back. Kari Schmitt notched her first tally of the season with the extra attacker on. Unfortunately, this time the OSU comeback fell a little short. North Dakota prevailed by a final score of 4-3.
Stacy Danczak tended the Buckeye nets in both games of this series. She stopped 16 shots in Friday’s tilt and another 17 tonight. Danczak now holds a 1-1-1-1 record in her career.
The series split brings the lady Bucks to 5-6-1-1 in the conference. Their 17 points put them in tie for third spot with Minnesota-Duluth, two points ahead of North Dakota. Ohio State will play a non-conference contest next Friday at Robert Morris. The team then returns to the friendly confines of the Ice Rink to battle Duluth for sole possession of third place.
