Final Score From Friday, October 28th
Minnesota 4
Ohio State 2
Round One Goes To The Gophers
It was an interesting, complex game. Many of us got drawn into to the idea that these teams were going to pick up right where they left off last February & March. Instead, it was what it was. An early season match-up, between two excellent teams, in the first month. Both the players and the crowd in the stands reflected that. The stretch run and the post-season will be here soon enough. Let's concentrate on the here and now.
At times the game could be described as careful probing. Even with two veteran clubs & lots of familiar faces, there was a little bit of: "OK, what do you guys have going on this year?" A related point is that this Minnesota team did a noticeably good job of taking care of their own end. Over the years, the Gophers have had so much firepower, they've sometimes looked like they're aspiring to be the Harlem Globetrotters on Ice. The first impression is that this year's squad is taking a more balanced, more disciplined approach.
Based on informal conversations after the final whistle, people are going to disagree on what we just saw. Or perhaps focus on different elements of the game. My take? Everybody on both squads played well, and gave their team a chance to win. But the Gopher Starters went out and won the game in the 3rd Period.
Three Stars Of The Game: Decidedly Unofficial & Just For Fun
Ohio State Honorable Mention: Emerson Jarvis
The injury to Kenzie Hauswirth disrupted the Buckeyes' 2nd & 3rd Lines. But thanks to Jarvis, it didn't decide the game. The Freshman from Mundare, Alberta made good use of her unexpected ice time. #2 brought real energy each time she stepped on the ice and acquitted herself well. Welcome to Ohio State, Emerson!
Minnesota Honorable Mention: Skylar Vetter
Some observers thought Skylar looked "shaky." Others thought she was superb. So is the glass half empty or half full? I say 90% full.
I'll gave you shaky for the last two minutes of the 2nd Period. While confronting the strongest Buckeye onslaught of the contest. For the other 58 minutes, I thought she was great. She faced many stiff shots from the outside; in general she swallowed those up. But the save that stands out in my mind came on a high quality
Jenna Buglioni blast. The shot looked like it was labeled for the upper left hand corner of the net. But moving smartly from her left to right, Vetter made an efficient shoulder save.
#3 Star: (tie) Jenna Buglioni, Ohio State and Sophie Jaques, Ohio State
Throughout the game, Jenna & Sophie were the two most dangerous Buckeyes on the ice. It's fitting that they each had a goal. Both of them could have had more, but for the fine Gopher effort.
#2 Star: (tie) Madeline Wethington, Minnesota and Gracie Ostertag, Minnesota
A strong performance by all 6 Gopher 'D', with the starting pair leading the way. The Buckeyes won the SOG battle, but the Gophers won the war by keeping the Buckeyes mostly to the outside, mostly shooting from medium to long range. Madeline had 3 shot blocks, a total matched only by
Gabby Rosenthal. Gracie had a block of her own. Despite the SOG disparity, Minnesota probably had more quality chances, thanks to the stalwart Gopher Defense.
Yes, The OSU created some turnovers on the forecheck. But in general, The U of M didn't get caught up ice on those plays. With a combination of skill, grit and numbers, most of the brush fires were quickly extinguished.
#1 Star: (tie)Taylor Heise, Minnesota; Abigail Boreen, Minnesota and Catie Skaja, Minnesota
Minnesota's 5 starting skaters got my top 5 mentions on this list. All were +2 for night. No one else on either team accomplished that.
Now, about that third period. Right before the end of the second stanza, the Buckeyes had just taken their first lead. Big momentum boost? If so, it didn't last long. It took Taylor just 18 seconds to draw the Gophers even and change the course of the evening.
Now in this write-up, I'm mostly ignoring the GWG. That's rare for me, and some will understandably take issue with it. Still, even after the Gophers took the 3-2 lead, the Buckeyes were still very much in the game. But when Abigail's insurance tally made it a two goal cushion, it felt like that settled the matter. The reader can decide whether or not I had my finger on the pulse.
Note that on what I'm calling the two crucial goals, all three first line forwards earned scoring points on both tallies.
Up Next: Round Two. This Afternoon @ 3:01 PM EDT.
