The women’s hockey Buckeyes rolled out of Minnesota last week with their first win over the Gophers in a decade, their best series result against the team in program history, and five out of a possible six conference points. The monster series vaulted Ohio State into the No. 7 ranking in both the USCHO and USA Today/USA Hockey polls.
| Buckeye Player | 2017-18 Individual Honors | Week |
|---|---|---|
| Tatum Skaggs, Fr. F | Winner - WCHA Offensive Player of the Week | No. 1 |
| Jincy Dunne, RS-So. D | Honorable Mention - WCHA Defensive Player of the Week | No. 1 |
| Emma Maltais, Fr. F | Defensive Player of the Week | No. 2 |
| Tatum Skaggs, Fr. F | Winner - WCHA Rookie of the Week | No. 2 |
| Dani Sadek | Honorable Mention - WCHA Defensive Player of the Week | No. 2 |
The Bucks’ electrifying top line was a major factor in the team’s success. Two-thirds of that line was recognized in the WCHA’s weekly awards. Emma Maltais is the conference’s reigning Offensive Player of the Week. Tatum Skaggs nabs Rookie of the Week honors. This is Skaggs' second consecutive conference laurel.
Maltais posted four points against No. 4/5 Minnesota. She assisted on Charly Dahlquist’s game winning goal on Friday, cementing Ohio State’s first defeat of Goldy since 2007. She netted the opening goal in Saturday’s wild comeback and provided the primary assist on both game tying tallies. Maltais owns seven points (2g, 5a) on the year.
Skaggs exploded for six points against the Gophers. Like Maltais, she assisted on Friday’s game winner. On Saturday both of Ohio State’s game tying goals came off Skaggs’ stick. So did three assists and one of the extra-point clinching shootout conversions.
The phenomenal output of the freshman duo comes as no surprise to head coach Nadine Muzerall, but she is quick to point out that their talent and value extends the whole length of the ice, stating:
“We expected them to produce at this level, but maybe not this early in the year. It’s promising to see this against a team like Minnesota, now we just have to hope that they can keep it up as we get deeper into WCHA play. Offense always gets the attention when it comes to these awards, but we’re talking about complete players here, Emma and Tatum give their all on both the offensive and defensive ends, and that’s what stands out to our staff.”
While she didn’t ultimately make the cut (I guess they have to let some other teams win something), senior blue liner Dani Sadek earned an honorable mention for Defensive Player of the Week. She chipped in a goal and an assist in the Minnesota series and blocked five shots.
The Buckeyes return to action this week. They host No. 5/6 Minnesota-Duluth for another pair of key conference contests. Friday’s puck drops at 6pm ET. Saturday’s game begins at 3pm ET.
- Ohio State enters the polls at No. 7 this week. Wisconsin takes the top spot. Minnesota-Duluth comes in at No. 5/6. Minnesota drops to No. 8/9. Bemidji State is unranked but received votes in both polls.
- The Buckeye women aren't the only honored puck Bucks this week. Mason Jobst is also Big Ten hockey's First Star.
