Final Score From Saturday, March 11th
Ohio State 5
Quinnipiac 2
(Ohio State Advances To The Frozen Four)
And The Oscar For Best Women's Hockey Team Goes To...
The OSU Ice Rink may well be the ugliest rink in college hockey. But the 2022-23 Buckeyes produced a beautiful picture in our humble facility. The star-studded Ohio State cast gave us many compelling story lines. Saturday was closing night for the Ice Rink's season. The curtain came down to thunderous applause. Now it's time to move on to the biggest stage.
The Oscars have Hollywood. This year Women's Hockey has the North Woods. Canal Park in Duluth will provide the bright lights and the fancy carpet.
The high quality Frozen Four Field won't disappoint. Outstanding pictures were also produced in Boston, Madison & Minneapolis. So the question on everyone's mind is: Which of the nominees will win the hardware for Best Picture? But first things first. Let's talk about how the Buckeyes snagged their nomination.
Quinnipiac was positively heroic in their 6 period victory over Penn State. But another question on everyone's mind was: Will Bobcat fatigue be a factor on Saturday? We'll never know for sure. But the game did fit what I've dubbed the historical pattern: The team with the bye starts slow, but gains strength as the game goes on. The first round winner starts fast, but energy wanes as the game goes on. The benefits of the off-day did seem to be cancelled out by the extra sessions on Thursday.
Quinnipiac was indeed the better team in the first period. OK, the Bobcats' SOG advantage was modest at 12-10. Still, the quality chances disparity was greater. But for a crossbar and a post, Quinnipiac might have led 3-0 at the 1st Intermission.
Things flipped completely in the 2nd Period. The SOG advantage belonged to the Buckeyes at 24-3. With the shot production came many quality chances. It took half the period to tie the score; but only four additional minutes to grab the lead. From an Ohio State perspective, we had a good comfort level the rest of the way.
So were Quinnipiac's tournament aspirations a pipe dream? No, while the pipes were a hindrance; the Bobcats were a legitimate NCAA contender. And pipe shots didn't decide the matter. The relentless Buckeyes controlled the 2nd & 3rd Periods, and ultimately the game. All that said, the Bobcats should be proud of their performance at the Regional.
Three Stars Of The Game: Decidedly Unofficial & Just For Fun
Quinnipiac Honorable Mention: (tie) Kendall Cooper; and Maddy Samoskevich
Kendall opened the scoring with a stiff shot from the high slot. Cooper's drive fooled the Buckeye keeper. I'm not sure if the puck glanced off an OSU defender, or if her shot was just that good. But it definitely got the Bobcats off to a good start.
Quinnipiac certainly didn't quit, and actually had an adrenaline surge late in the 3rd. Maddy led that charge with a long range Extra Attacker Goal with 3:36 left. Kendall and
Nina Steignauf set up the Samoskevich blast.
Ohio State Honorable Honorable Mention: Gabby Rosenthal
From here, I'll honor the Buckeye scorers in chronological order. Gabby broke the ice, as Gabby often does.
Makenna Webster and
Jenn Gardiner generated a shot on goal; but it appeared that a Bobcat clearing attempt was going to end the play. Rosenthal was having none of it. After the puck glanced off of at least one opposing player, Gabby regained possession and powered the puck into the net.
#3 Star: Lauren Bernard, Ohio State
Madison, Ohio Native Bernard certainly did the Great State of Ohio proud with the go-ahead goal. She gained possession, then fought her way to the Bobcat goal cage. To my eye, Quinnipiac Goalie
Logan Angers is one of those keepers who takes away the low shot and dares you to shoot high. Lauren took the dare. The result? An awe-inspiring comet that blazed it's way into the top shelf. Angers played very well in the nets, but no one was stopping that one.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I'll quickly note that Bernard was in the penalty box when the Bobcats opened the scoring. Just maybe that experience added a little extra zing to comet. But no worries either way, Lauren. You more than atoned. That comet earned a Star.
#2 Star: (tie) Emma Maltais, Ohio State; and Emma Peschel, Ohio State
Are Two Emmas are better than one? Maybe; it took two Emmas to score the 3rd Buckeye Goal.
First, let me note that Maltais was All-World in the Face-Off Circle. 36 wins on 46 tries. That's a win rate of 78.3%! It was a big factor in the Buckeyes' ability to gain & retain control of the play.
Now, about the 4th goal. Maltais had the initial shot. Angers stopped that one. But Peschel pinched in and slammed home the rebound.
#1 Star: Sophie Jaques, Ohio State
It was another all around performance from Sophie. Impressive two-way hockey featuring 5 Blocks & 8 SOG. And of course the final two goals of the season at the Ice Rink.
During Bobcat surges, Jaques consistently settled down the play and restored order. When you see a 1-on-1 battle coming, and you notice the Buckeye is Sophie, it just feels so good.
On the Jaques goal, Webster and Gardiner got the puck to Sophie. Then Sophie did what Sophie does. Patiently and cleverly finds a shooting lane, locks in on the target, and nails it.
Finally, the empty-netter was simply meant to be. With a little help from Rosenthal in the defensive end, Jaques carried the puck up the left wing boards, crossed center ice, then expertly steered the puck into the Bobcat net. Curtains for Quinnipiac.
Up Next: The Frozen Four. See You In Duluth.
