Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2019-2020: Muzzling All Detractors
Final Score From Saturday, November 16th
Ohio State 1
Minnesota-Duluth 1
(OSU Earns The Extra Standings Point With The Shootout Win)
Buckeyes Complete Successful Weekend With Shootout Win.
Sweep? No.
Sweet? Yes.
OK, the Buckeyes weren't completely successful in that the Bulldogs took 1 standings point back to Duluth. Big picture, though, 5 of 6 points against UMD is a sweet success.
Prior to this weekend, the home crowd at the Ice Rink had yet to see a 3x3 OT period. For most intents & purposes, we're still waiting. During the first 54 seconds of the purported 3x3 session, we actually played 4x3 hockey as the Buckeyes completed a PK. Next, we played over 3 minutes without a whistle; and thus at 4x4. We did get a teasing little taste of 3x3 -- for about 38 seconds.
So the "beloved" shootout procedure was used to break the tie. Keep reading...
Three Stars Of The Game: Decidedly Unofficial & Just For Fun
Minnesota-Duluth Honorable Mention: Maggie Flaherty
The UMD Defense was so stingy this weekend, we definitely need to send them at least an Honorable Mention. Any of the Top 4 'D' would have been a worthy choice; I went with #29. In this case, stats were the tiebreaker. Maggie had 5 shots on goal and 3 blocked shots, to lead the Bulldogs in both respects. Yes, a few teammates matched one total or the other; but Flaherty was the only one with the high number in both categories.
Ohio State Honorable Mention: Jen Gardiner
When it takes 2 hours, 38 minutes to get to the end of a College Hockey game, you know you've been on a substantial journey. The Buckeyes had their destination in sight when Jen bagged the shootout winner. It took 3 rounds to produce a goal, and that one goal translated into a standings point. Most of the other shooters tried to make a move on the opposing keeper. But the left-handed Gardiner just cruised down the slot, and blew the puck past the Bulldog goalie, inside the left post. The UMD keeper seemed mildly surprised by the quick shot, and was just a touch late with the attempted kick save.
But note that, for this shootout, the Buckeyes shot first. That left the Bulldogs with one more chance to tie. Keep reading...
#3 Star: (tie)Gabbie Hughes, Minnesota-Duluth and Anna Klein, Minnesota-Duluth
Duluth's top line was once again a constant threat. On Saturday they broke through on a face-off play; originating from the left wing circle in the Buckeye zone. I suppose you could say Gabbie lost the draw, as the puck was pulled back toward the Buckeye net. But Hughes turned that loss into a win; stepping around her Buckeye counterpart, grabbing the puck, and making a beeline for the OSU net.
The Buckeye goalie made the initial stop, but a wild scramble ensued. Somehow in the tangle of sticks and bodies, Anna got off a shot. That shot caromed off at least one Buckeye defender and wound up in the net.
As it happened, the same 5 Bulldogs were on the ice for both the UMD goal & the OSU goal. That resulted in a statistical oddity: Every Bulldog who hit the ice Saturday finished the game at an even zero in the +/- category.
#2 Star: Sophie Jaques, Ohio State
Interestingly enough, the Buckeye goal also came off a face-off. In this case,
Sara Saekkinen won an offensive zone draw. Lined up as the outside wing,
Brooke Bink curled into the slot, gaining possession along the way. Drop Pass to Sophie at the point. It wasn't the easiest pass to handle, but it got the puck to where it needed to be. With some
Sophisticated Rocketry, Jaques blasted the puck into an upper corner.
Note that the goal came late in the 2nd Stanza; a period in which OSU was outshot by a 2 to 1 margin. The Jaques goal stemmed the tide. Note only did Sophie tie the score, she generated a key turning point in the game.
#1 Star: Andrea Braendli, Ohio State
32 Saves on 33 Shots is a fine outing all by itself. But Andrea really shined when facing Penalty Shots.
Regulation Time Penalty Shot: At 11:22 of the 2nd Period, Ryleigh Houston earned a Penalty Shot. She forced a Buckeye back-checker to take a Hooking penalty, in order to prevent an outright breakaway. On the Shot itself, the right-handed Ryleigh approached the net, then pushed the puck to the right, hoping for a forehand finish. Andrea slid across the crease, and firmly said No. That kept the deficit at one goal, and likely kept the Buckeyes alive. Like the Jaques goal, it was a critical juncture in the game.
Shootout Winning Save:When the ultimate moment came, once again it was Houston vs. Braendli. This time Ryleigh pulled the puck to the left, hoping for a backhand finish. Once again Andrea slid across the crease; and once again firmly said No. Braendli was a perfect 3 for 3 in the Shootout. Overall, she was a perfect 4 for 4 facing Penalty Shots.
Have to admit I felt a some empathy for Houston. But it was Braendli's night.
Up Next: Road Trip To Hamilton, NY To Take On Colgate.
