Ohio State Buckeyes 2021-2022 ... Destination: Happy Valley

[D2D]

I was wondering how you were doing, Hockeybuckeye, but truth be told I was hesitant to ask here, fearing the worst. So this news on your recovery was especially welcome, fantastic beyond expectations. And to top that off your team was crowned National Champions, how great is that? Surely one for the ages, never forgotten.

 

[osualum86]

Thanks Timothy A! I was well enough to stream the game on my phone. I've been hospitalized since the first week of December but it's not the cancer.
I contracted COVID and because my immune system was weakened from the chemo it ravaged me. The doctor called my wife and said to bring the family in now to say goodbye, I wasn't going to live through the night and was on a ventilator
BUT I BEAT IT!!

Really glad to read this, Hockeybuckeye!

 

[Hockeybuckeye]

Has anyone here seen the coach Muzerall interview on B1G Today?

 

[robertearle]

Has anyone here seen the coach Muzerall interview on B1G Today?

Were you looking for it, to watch it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=963ie7LhZOE

-------------------

And then I happened to look for this, just to see if I could find it; I never did find "it" last year, so of course it popped right up this year. Full final, posted on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5L6W0TIfZg

 

[pgb-ohio]

My 10 Greatest Memories Of The 2022 Frozen Four

10. Welcome To My Arena My tournament experience began in the West Stadium Parking Lot. At the Automated Pay Station. Ten Dollars for the Car. And it didn't even get to see the game! We have these same pay stations at Ohio State. However there's no charge for parking for Women's Hockey, and many other sporting events. Memo to the Parking Poovahs at Penn State: You might want to consider this. Just saying.

But the parking fee isn't the point of this story. While finishing up at the Pay Station, a man behind me in line noticed my Ohio State jacket, and asked if I had ever been to Pegula before. I responded: "No, this is a first occasion." Then added: "But everything I've ever heard has been positive. I'm really looking forward to it."

Now this guy looked pretty distinguished. Maybe a tenured Faculty Member. But I wasn't prepared for what came next: "I hope that's true. I designed it."

If my guy was posing, his act was brilliant. But the pride of creation seemed quite authentic. So just maybe...

Anyhow, with my payment complete, it was time to move on to the Arena. As I left, the best response I could come up with was: "Well, Thank You!"



9. Chatting With A Founder You never know who you're going to run into at a Frozen Four. After taking my seat, I struck up a conversation with an older couple in the next row up. Turned out she was one of the Founders of Women's Club Hockey at Penn State. Both of my new companions had interesting stories to tell. By my favorite was the "creation story" of the Women's Club Team.

In order to get the University's stamp of approval, certain requirements had to be met. One of those requirements was to have a minimum number of registered players. A few short of the minimum, they recruited a several figure skaters, figuring they could teach them some hockey skills later.

From there, an oral presentation was required before a Board of Review. You've heard of one of board members. Joe Paterno. Turned out the Football Coach was strongly supportive of the Women's Hockey application. That support couldn't have hurt. The application was approved.

I realize that JoePa is a controversial figure. I'm making no comment whatsoever about any other portion of his career. But having the famous Football Coach stand up for Women's Hockey on Day 1 is pretty cool. And meeting one of Women who got things off the ground is just as cool, if not more so.



8. Zoe Hickel: The Happy Warrior Of Women's Hockey With seating on all 4 sides, Pegula gave Buckeye Fans the opportunity to sit directly behind the Ohio State Bench. You can't do that at the OSU Ice Rink. Behind the benches at OSU is the East Wall of the building.

Anyhow, it was a particular pleasure to watch Coach Hickel run the Buckeye Defense. Unceasingly positive and supportive. Astonishingly calm under pressure. Competing against her alma mater for a National Title must have been an emotional experience. But she never let on; never lost focus. No wonder this Buckeye Defense is calm under pressure. They took on the personality of their Assistant Coach.

These traits held Zoe in good stead was well. With less than a minute to go in the Championship Game, she was nearly decapitated by friendly fire. Thankfully, the puck only crashed against the plexiglass; loudly but harmlessly. For just one moment, the look on Zoe's face was: "OK, that wasn't fun." Then the positive demeanor returned. And the Buckeyes closed out the game.


Up Next: The Memories List Resumes At #7.

 

[Hockeybuckeye]

Were you looking for it, to watch it?

No, I was just wondering the opinions of those who saw it.
It gave me insights to the program and it's recruiting that I wasn't aware of.

 

[Lindsay]

Started listening to the B1G interview yesterday but got distracted.

Will listen today. PGB, enjoying your reflections! Thank you for sharing.

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-...es-to-fruition

Another good article from Eleven Warriors. Shows the post game press conference. Muzerall gives a phenomenal quote about making this move with a two year old and a 5 month old baby and talks about all the people that supported her. Interesting word choice how when speaking to the media she’s not referring to her players as “girls”, but young ladies and women.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.10t...0-0728615c2f00

Short video with reaction from girl hockey players in the state and girls hockey coaches, etc talking about how the win inspires them.

 

[Offsides Guy]

I find it interesting that in an interview Muzz gave upon their arrival back in Columbus, she said she’ll probably start scouring the transfer portal the next day. Clearly this is a key part of her strategy moving forward. I’m certainly not saying it should not be part of her strategy, but I really wonder how it will impact recruiting. I might be hard-pressed to recommend OSU to my daughter when I know the coach is so aggressively going to be using the transfer portal. I would be concerned Muzz might decommit my daughter or replace her playing time with a transfer. Obviously other coaches are and will make use of the transfer portal. She was just very frontal about it. Curious what others think.

 

[Steamboat]

I find it interesting that in an interview Muzz gave upon their arrival back in Columbus, she said she’ll probably start scouring the transfer portal the next day. Clearly this is a key part of her strategy moving forward. I’m certainly not saying it should not be part of her strategy, but I really wonder how it will impact recruiting. I might be hard-pressed to recommend OSU to my daughter when I know the coach is so aggressively going to be using the transfer portal. I would be concerned Muzz might decommit my daughter or replace her playing time with a transfer. Obviously other coaches are and will make use of the transfer portal. She was just very frontal about it. Curious what others think.

I think many of us here felt Nadine was using the transfers to get a title this season. She succeeded in that. Will it work next season or seasons yet to come? Can you build a team out of highly rated parts? You have pinpointed the flaw in this strategy. If you don't have a committed baseline of players, can you maintain the top level? We will see. Clearly Nadine Muzerall is Class A competitive. If recruits are dumped for transfers the word will get around and the end result be that high school standouts will commit elsewhere. So you reap what you sow. We can appreciate what Nadine Muzerall has accomplished at The Ohio State, but the future will tell if that is a strategy that will sustain a long term winner.

 

[pgb-ohio]

My 10 Greatest Memories Of The 2022 Frozen Four
(Resuming With #7)

7. Buckeye Nation Turnout Several fans from other schools told me they were impressed with how well Ohio State traveled to the tournament. My first reaction was something along the lines of "Well, of the four participating schools, we're the closest." And it's true that making arrangements for car travel on short notice is usually more doable than booking a flight on short notice. But Buckeye Nation deserves more credit than that.

I am comfortable saying we had the largest turnout of the four participating schools. But only a portion of that turnout began their trip in Columbus. The single largest contingent would be parents, family & closest friends of the players. And of course those Buckeyes came from everywhere we recruit. That's a big area.

There was also a very appealing "All-Year Class Reunion" aspect to this group of Buckeyes. Players from the various eras; fans who have supported this program for the long haul. Renewing acquaintances in the outer concourse was especially enjoyable after the semi-final win.

Inside the arena, the support was loud and proud. And when the event was over, we didn't want to leave. I got a kick out of a series of PA Announcements. I'll take a lot of artistic license here, but the three announcements boiled down to this:

1. Thank you for attending the 2022 Frozen Four. As you head home, please travel safely.

2. Everyone working the tournament is tired. Please leave.

3. Well, if you refuse to leave, could you at least buy some Championship T-Shirts?

Quite a few T-Shirts were sold. And from the beginning of the tournament to the end, I'm proud of the support Buckeye Nation gave our Championship Team.



6. UMD Skill I would be remiss if I didn't mention the quality of our competition. Particularly noteworthy was the skill level of the UMD Bulldogs. Naomi Rogge had two eye-catching tallies. In the semi-final against Northeastern, Naomi settled the overtime thriller by drilling the puck into the left side of the net. By some accounts, Northeastern Goalie Frankel got her stick on the puck, but was unable to complete the save. But either way, Rogge beat one of the best goalies in the business on the biggest stage.

Naomi's goal against OSU was just as impressive, if not more so. Showing great hand/eye coordination, Rogge re-directed a knee high shot, and squeezed it into the Buckeye net. It tied the score at 1-1.

Then there's Elizabeth Giguere, Sharpshooter Extraordinaire. With stiff pace and laser sharp accuracy, Giguere nailed the upper right hand corner. That one tied the score at 2-2.

As a Buckeye fan, neither of UMD's Sunday goals were welcome developments. But as fan of Women's Hockey, part of me had to be just a little pleased and impressed.



Up Next: The Memories List Resumes At #5.

 

[pgb-ohio]

PGB, enjoying your reflections! Thank you for sharing.

You're very welcome; and thank you for reading!

Hope you're still there; any reasonable "publication deadline" has come and gone. That said, I'm hoping to complete the list this weekend.

 

[Steamboat]

My 10 Greatest Memories Of The 2022 Frozen Four


6. UMD Skill I would be remiss if I didn't mention the quality of our competition. Particularly noteworthy was the skill level of the UMD Bulldogs. Naomi Rogge had two eye-catching tallies. In the semi-final against Northeastern, Naomi settled the overtime thriller by drilling the puck into the left side of the net. By some accounts, Northeastern Goalie Frankel got her stick on the puck, but was unable to complete the save. But either way, Rogge beat one of the best goalies in the business on the biggest stage.

Naomi's goal against OSU was just as impressive, if not more so. Showing great hand/eye coordination, Rogge re-directed a knee high shot, and squeezed it into the Buckeye net. It tied the score at 1-1.

Then there's Elizabeth Giguere, Sharpshooter Extraordinaire. With stiff pace and laser sharp accuracy, Giguere nailed the upper right hand corner. That one tied the score at 2-2.

As a Buckeye fan, neither of UMD's Sunday goals were welcome developments. But as fan of Women's Hockey, part of me had to be just a little pleased and impressed.



Up Next: The Memories List Resumes At #5.

I watched a replay of the game, and feel that goaltending let down the Bulldogs. Without the first 2 giveaways because Soderberg wasn't in her net, it is a much different game. On the second goal I think it was AJ the announcer saying that Soderberg was too nonchalant about getting back to position, and that there was a lack of defensive communication about the Buckeye player cruising in. There may be a language issue or there may have been burnout from the double overtime game previous. With Chobak in the net would we be having this discussion?
Congratulations on winning the title. I think UMD played very well in the stretch. Both teams made the WCHA look good.

 

[Lindsay]

Steamboat you may be on to something. From a European goalie perspective I also wonder if the Olympics hurt from an NCAA perspective. Braendli is a huge asset to the Buckeyes and I believe was the one that defended the net and greatly so in the first half. She helped put them in position to do what they did second half.

But mid season she went to the Olympics, got absolutely lit up for games on end through no fault of her own, then has the challenge of switching gears, come back to NA and win an NCAA championship. Soderberg would have been in a similar boat. I just think it’s a big ask in a long grinding season, especially for a position where there are already schools of thought about what the right workload is, to have a goalie do an Olympics and deliver an NCAA championship the same year.

 

[pgb-ohio]

I watched a replay of the game, and feel that goaltending let down the Bulldogs. Without the first 2 giveaways because Soderberg wasn't in her net, it is a much different game. On the second goal I think it was AJ the announcer saying that Soderberg was too nonchalant about getting back to position, and that there was a lack of defensive communication about the Buckeye player cruising in. There may be a language issue or there may have been burnout from the double overtime game previous.

I don't disagree. I'm also on board with Lindsay's comments.

You've been making good posts for a couple years now. So I'll take the liberty of assuming you're familiar with my 3 Stars Posts. As I'm sure you've discerned, my self-appointed mission is to give kudos to the players that earn them, and to mostly skate by the inevitable on-ice breakdowns that occur. Although I chose to go with a special format for my Frozen Four comments, the same guiding principle applies.

At the same time, I do consider myself a student of the game. I certainly have critical thoughts about the games I watch. But I generally save those for private, off-line conversations.

On this specific issue, I'll post just one critical comment. Had I been choosing the All-Tournament Team, I would have selected a different goalie. But I can't help myself; I'm still going to give this a positive spin.

My long-held belief is that the losing semi-finalists are consistently underrated when choosing all-tournament teams. It's almost as if a portion of the "electorate" watches only the title game. My All-Tournament goalie for the 2022 Frozen Four would be Yale's Gianna Meloni. She made the most outstanding use of her minutes, IMHO.

With Chobak in the net would we be having this discussion?

Not this discussion. Without the two goals in question, the game would have been coached and played entirely differently.

Congratulations on winning the title. I think UMD played very well in the stretch. Both teams made the WCHA look good.

Thanks for the congrats. And I do strongly agree with your last two comments.

 

[robertearle]

I watched a replay of the game, and feel that goaltending let down the Bulldogs. Without the first 2 giveaways because Soderberg wasn't in her net, it is a much different game. On the second goal I think it was AJ the announcer saying that Soderberg was too nonchalant about getting back to position, and that there was a lack of defensive communication about the Buckeye player cruising in. There may be a language issue or there may have been burnout from the double overtime game previous. With Chobak in the net would we be having this discussion?
Congratulations on winning the title. I think UMD played very well in the stretch. Both teams made the WCHA look good.

(I think you have the two 'giveaway' goals backwards. The first was Soderberg and her D being nonchalant behind their goal with Ohio St skaters approaching. The second was when Soderberg comes forward to try to break up the potential Ohio State 'breakaway', but 'loses the race' and ends up falling out at the faceoff circle. As for 'language issue', Soderberg has been in the US for at least four years. I very much doubt her English skills affected the play.)

 

[ARM]

With Chobak in the net would we be having this discussion?

The other way to look at it is had Crowell not changed back to Soderberg, the odds are good that UMD isn't even in the final. Soderberg shut out Harvard, held UM to one goal -- unlike the four that they scored the week before versus Chobak, and held Northeastern to one. Even with the two oops moments vs OSU, Soderberg still had a GAA under 1.1 in the NCAAs, which was better than Chobak's season GAA by more than half a goal. One has to take the good with the bad.

The second was when Soderberg comes forward to try to break up the potential Ohio State 'breakaway', but 'loses the race' and ends up falling out at the faceoff circle.

Soderberg won the race, but failed in her attempt to try to shoot the puck out of the zone. I wondered at the time if she would have been better off to put the puck into the corner, but she might still have had to deal with a shot attempt before she was set in her net. On the first one, I agree that her D put her in a tough situation. She could have come up with a better play in both situations, but they were circumstances forced on her in part due to mistakes of her teammates.

 

[pgb-ohio]

My 10 Greatest Memories Of The 2022 Frozen Four
(Resuming With #5)

5. The Buckeye Penalty Kill What's that you say? The PK didn't seem like much of factor to you? On one level, you'd be correct. The Buckeyes only had to kill two penalties against Yale, and none at all against UMD. But consider that second kill against Yale. There's the story.

Just under 10 minutes left in regulation time. The Buckeyes were clinging to a precarious 2-1 lead. Then came the call. Bench Minor. I never did hear precisely what the violation was. An earlier "Too Many Players" violation against Yale was identified as such. This one was left to the imagination. I do know it caused Coach Muzzerall a moment of anguish at the time, before she quickly regained her composure.

So the game hung in the balance. From an OSU point of view, there were reasons for optimism. A 92.1% kill rate is outstanding; it has to be one of the best percentages ever. But at the time, only one kill mattered.

In what turned out to be the last PK of the season, the Ohio State PK Units were spectacular. Yale got no shots on goal during their opportunity. They barely got any zone time.

The Buckeyes gained great strength and momentum from that success. It certainly gave my personal confidence a major boost! The Bulldogs seemed deflated. Certainly there was some hockey left to be played. But with the luxury of hindsight, that's where OSU slammed the door shut.


4. Paetyn Levis: The Most Outstanding Player Of The 2022 Frozen Four Paetyn had a goal in each of the Frozen Four games. Her PP goal against Yale pulled the Buckeyes back into tie; vitally important after the team had fallen behind 1-0. In the title game, Levis opened the scoring, capitalizing on a Bulldog defensive miscue. In appreciation of her "audacity," Paetyn was promptly leveled in the slot by the frustrated UMD defense. Levis was a bit disheveled, but completely undeterred.

In the minutes that followed, Paetyn slammed not 1, but 2 shots off the post. Loud clangs. Very loud clangs. Both times the Bulldog Goalie was beaten. With the benefit of an inch or two, either would have been a convincing goal.

Imagine the best case scenario. A natural hat trick to win the national title. Had it played out that way, it would have been the #1 Memory on my list rather easily. As it happened, we have to settle for the two goals Levis actually got. Along with Paetyn's spectacular compete level. We're satisfied. And so were the MOP Voters.


Up Next: The Memories List Resumes At #3.

 

[Lindsay]

My 10 Greatest Memories Of The 2022 Frozen Four
(Resuming With #5)

5. The Buckeye Penalty Kill What's that you say? The PK didn't seem like much of factor to you? On one level, you'd be correct. The Buckeyes only had to kill two penalties against Yale, and none at all against UMD. But consider that second kill against Yale. There's the story.

Just under 10 minutes left in regulation time. The Buckeyes were clinging to a precarious 2-1 lead. Then came the call. Bench Minor. I never did hear precisely what the violation was. An earlier "Too Many Players" violation against Yale was identified as such. This one was left to the imagination. I do know it caused Coach Muzzerall a moment of anguish at the time, before she quickly regained her composure.

So the game hung in the balance. From an OSU point of view, their were reasons for optimism. A 92.1% kill rate is outstanding; it has to be one of the best percentages ever. But at the time, only one kill mattered.

In what turned out to be the last PK of the season, the Ohio State PK Units were spectacular. Yale got no shots on goal during their opportunity. They barely got any zone time.

The Buckeyes gained great strength and momentum from that success. It certainly gave my personal confidence a major boost! The Bulldogs seemed deflated. Certainly there was some hockey left to be played. But with the luxury of hindsight, that's where OSU slammed the door shut.


4. Paetyn Levis: The Most Outstanding Player Of The 2022 Frozen Four Paetyn had a goal in each of the Frozen Four games. Her PP goal against Yale pulled the Buckeyes back into tie; vitally important after the team had fallen behind 1-0. In the title game, Levis opened the scoring, capitalizing on a Bulldog defensive miscue. In appreciation of her "audacity," Paetyn was promptly leveled in the slot by the frustrated UMD defense. Levis was a bit disheveled, but completely undeterred.

In the minutes that followed, Paetyn slammed not 1, but 2 shots off the post. Loud clangs. Very loud clangs. Both times the Bulldog Goalie was beaten. With the benefit of an inch or two, either would have been a convincing goal.

Imagine the best case scenario. A natural hat trick to win the national title. Had it played out that way, it would have been the #1 Memory on my list rather easily. As it happened, we have to settle for the two goals Levis actually got. Along with Paetyn's spectacular compete level. We're satisfied. And so were the MOP Voters.


Up Next: The Memories List Resumes At #3.

some of the most endearing goal celebrations are the ones where it ends with a goal and a goal scorer going flying. The teammates flock to “celebrate” by checking on the goal scorer and bending over to gently pat her for her success and help her up. Alina Mueller had one in the Olympics, Levis’ was just as sweet .

 

[Lindsay]

I think many of us here felt Nadine was using the transfers to get a title this season. She succeeded in that. Will it work next season or seasons yet to come? Can you build a team out of highly rated parts? You have pinpointed the flaw in this strategy. If you don't have a committed baseline of players, can you maintain the top level? We will see. Clearly Nadine Muzerall is Class A competitive. If recruits are dumped for transfers the word will get around and the end result be that high school standouts will commit elsewhere. So you reap what you sow. We can appreciate what Nadine Muzerall has accomplished at The Ohio State, but the future will tell if that is a strategy that will sustain a long term winner.

Transfers have always been part of the calculus of creating a winning team, (Jenny Potter from UM to UMD back in the day) but I hope decommitting players does not become the norm at any school. Just think it makes an already messy side of competitive sports even messier and uglier and it’s not good for high school students.

I think you can put the finishing pieces on a team with highly rated parts as Muzerall and Johnson did the last few years and others have tried to do and will rightly continue to do (Clarkson with Sauve! Lonergan! Cianfarro!), but no I don’t think you can consistently build a team that way. NU tried something a little different, they had an absolutely huge roster of 28 in the year they went to the NCAA final, which will also put strains on ice time.

It takes a lot of stars aligning to win a championship, as there are numerous good teams in any given year. some of the good fortune Ohio State had was down right bizarre - players coming available due to Covid extra year, and vaccine requirements, plus a decent program getting cut and it all lining up with an Olympic year. They went all in and it paid off...but next year it’s a clean slate. It will be fun to see them adapt.

Minnesota and Wisco still have some built in recruiting edges. Wisco’s about to host U18 Worlds which is only going to help them sell their program even more to the worlds best. We’ll see how quick or if at all Canada’s best start going to Ohio State - or does Doug Derraugh’s Olympic asst coach status keep them going to Cornell? The other thing is for all the transfers this was still a relatively blue collar Ohio State team, how will that identity change and be managed now that they’ve been national champs.

 

[pgb-ohio]

some of the most endearing goal celebrations are the ones where it ends with a goal and a goal scorer going flying. The teammates flock to “celebrate” by checking on the goal scorer and bending over to gently pat her for her success and help her up. Alina Mueller had one in the Olympics, Levis’ was just as sweet .

You've probably seen the "Mini-Movie" on the OSU Website, but just in case:

https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/national-championship-mini-movie/

It includes Paetyn's moment along with other wonderful highlights.