Final Score From Tuesday, January 21st
Ohio State 5
Mercyhurst 1
Have Mercy! 'Twas An Erie Occurrence
But to clarify, there was nothing weird about it at all. It was simply a fun day trip to Erie, Pennsylvania to see Ohio State compete with Mercyhurst in Women's Hockey. Mercyhurst was a gracious host. Among the nice touches: All fans were offered complimentary line charts for both teams at the front door, along with a quality color photo of the Laker squad. Welcome to The Mercyhurst Ice Center indeed!
Traveling Ohio State fans were treated to a dominating performance by their Buckeyes. Offensive Zone Time & Time of Possession heavily favored OSU. As did the SOG totals. But that didn't stop the Lakers from putting up stiff resistance.
'Twas a bit chilly Tuesday. Perhaps that foreshadowed the icy wall the Mercyhurst put up at the onset. But that wall began to crack when the Lakers took a series of penalties in the later stages of the opening stanza. Two breakthrough Buckeye goals won the period, and ultimately the game.
The Official Three Stars Of The Game: As Announced By The Mercyhurst Staff
The Host School announced an Official Three Stars List:
#1 Star: Joy Dunne, Ohio State (GWG & 1 Assist)
#2 Star: Jocelyn Amos, Ohio State (2 Assists)
#3 Star: Makenna Webster, Ohio State (2 Assists)
Comments On The Official Stars Selections
1. Solid Selections for sure. As noted in the PA Announcement, emphasis was placed on the Assists. I've been known to use that approach. Perfectly reasonable. In this particular game, I think that competing story lines are more compelling. But maybe that's just a Buckeye point of view.
2. It's definitely tough to give all Three Stars to the Visiting Team. But I do believe that was the correct decision. Credit the Mercyhurst staff with having the integrity to call it that way.
3. The Buckeyes really dominated this contest. But even in the face of the OSU Onslaught, the Lakers certainly did some good things. Recognizing that is what Honorable Mentions are for; and why I usually feel it's important to make some HM selections.
Three Stars Of The Game: Decidedly Unofficial & Just For Fun
Mercyhurst Honorable Mention: (tie) Makayla Javier and Sofia Ljung
While I can't place a Laker in the Top 3, I certainly want to recognize some of the strong play contributed by the Mercyhurst 'D' Corps. Makayla (3rd 'D' Pair) and Sofia (2nd 'D' Pair) led all players in the Blocked Shots category. Javier had 6 blocks and Sofia had 4. Neither player took a penalty during the contest. Good job by both of you.
Ohio State Honorable Mention: (tie) Jocelyn Amos and Makenna Webster
Sure, I'll be happy to ratify the 2nd & 3rd selections made by the Mercyhurst staff. I'll just make a slight adjustment, and recognize Amos & Webster here in the Honorable Mention Section. They really are solid choices. Beyond the Assists, Jocelyn was a sparkling 12 of 14 in the Face-Off Circle. Meanwhile, the always hustling Makenna put up an impressive 9 SOG to lead all players.
#3 Star: (tie)Mira Jungaker, Ohio State and Kiara Zanon, Ohio State
Now, let's get to those competing story lines. Mira got her first goal as a Buckeye on a nifty tip play. Truth be told, the Jungaker goal came in the 3rd Period, relatively late in the proceedings. Also, by that point of the game, it was clear that Buckeyes teammates were going a bit out of their way to create opportunities for that 1st Tally. Happily when Mira scored, she scored with style.
While there's 200+ miles of driving between Erie, PA and State College, PA, this was a return trip to the State of Pennsylvania for Kiara. Perhaps more relevant these days, she was about 170 miles from her hometown of Fairport, NY. (Near Rochester) The grapevine says that there were Zanon family members in the stands.
Kiara certainly didn't disappoint her supporters. Her dynamic performance could easily have resulted in a multi-goal night. A single goal will have to do; but it was a beauty! Coming on an odd man rush, Zanon zipped a well-placed shot into the upper left hand corner of the Laker net.
#2 Star: Jenna Buglioni, Ohio State
As noted above, the two first period goal scorers were the difference makers. Jenna bagged Goal #2 on a Penalty Shot. Buglioni has been putting on a Penalty Shot Clinic lately, having also scored the Shootout Winning Goal at the
Frozen Confines against Wisconsin. I didn't have the best vantage point for her Mercyhurst conversion, but I certainly can tell you she attacked the net with surgical precision. Gotta believe the puck went in through the 5 hole; but also gotta admit my view was partially obstructed on the play.
#1 Star: Joy Dunne, Ohio State
I am all in on the Official #1 Star Selection. The situation called for a human icebreaker. On a team well-stocked with icebreakers, Joy is perhaps the Greatest Icebreaker of them all. Of course Dunne had lots of help. But she led the charge, as she so often does. She's just so strong on the puck.
Anyhow, after Joy's breakthrough, things fell nicely into place for the Buckeyes.
Confidential To Bill Brotzman: I enjoyed meeting you; and I've gotten a nice start on your
Collection Of Hockey Stories. We're from the same age group, so many of my hockey memories parallel yours.
Confidential to THEBanner: I'm glad you and your owners made the trip. You were brandished with pride, and rightfully so.
Next Stargazing: The next home series is already upon us. The Minnesota State Mavericks are probably already in town as I write. See you at the Ice Rink Friday @ 6:02 PM and Saturday @ 3:02 PM.