Final Score From Friday, January 19th
Ohio State 3
Minnesota-Duluth 0
Are Bulldogs Stubborn?
According to brookhurstanimal.com:
They're Stubborn.
Like bulls, bulldogs are extremely strong-willed. Once they've decided on something, they won't change their minds. It can be difficult, almost impossible, to force a bulldog to do something it doesn't want to.
Are UMD Bulldogs Stubborn? They're Stubborn.
Friday night at the OSU Ice Rink, UMD put up a staunch defense, particularly in the defensive slot. I wouldn't say the 'dogs packed it in, but it was certainly a pack effort.
Last October, Duluth gave up two Power Play Goals in each of the OSU/UMD games. They decided that wasn't going to happen again. It didn't.
So if the Buckeyes were to win, they had to find a way to score at even strength. It wasn't easy. But with talent, depth and perseverance, OSU broke through once in each period. Note that it took 19:50 to attain the 1st Period breakthrough. The game was even up to that point.
Three Stars Of The Game: Decidedly Unofficial & Just For Fun
Minnesota-Duluth Honorable Mention: Nina Jobst-Smith
On the UMD Line Chart, Nina is listed on the second d-pair. But to my eye, #28 was the Most Stubborn Bulldog of them all. To be clear, that's intended to be high praise.
Ohio State Honorable Mention: (tie) Hadley Hartmetz & Lauren Bernard
Hadley & Lauren served as OSU's first d-pair. They more than lived up to the billing. Both were +3 for the game; they were the only 2 players to accomplish that. Even more importantly, they played a central role in the Buckeye Shutout. And while we're at it, don't forget that Hartmetz launched the 2nd Buckeye Goal, earning the Secondary Assist.
#3 Star: Raygan Kirk, Ohio State
Deja vu all over again. Raygun faces a modest number of opponents' shots. Calm, cool & collected, she turns away every one of them. Another Shutout for Kirk, and another Star.
#2 Star: (tie) Sloane Matthews, Ohio State; and Kenzie Hauswirth, Ohio State
Now about that depth. The Buckeye 3rd Line started the game, and they proved to be the difference makers. Most likely their initial assignment was to put the clamps on the top UMD line of McMahon/Hunt/Burgen. But the contributions went well beyond that. Sloane had a 70% win rate in the face-off circle. One of those face-off wins led directly to the 3rd Buckeye Goal -- Scored by linemate Kenzie. Matthews also played a key role on the 1st Goal. Keep reading...
#1 Star: Kelsey King, Ohio State
Kelsey was Buckeye Royalty tonight. Her breakthrough goal turned the game in OSU's favor. It also proved to be the GWG.
The play began in the offensive zone, with a scrum along the right wing boards. Sloane Matthews emerged with the puck, and sent
Kiara Zanon on her way to the UMD net. Two stiff shots from Zanon; Two strong saves by
Hailey MacLeod. Next the puck went to King, whose magnificent backhand constituted an irresistible force.
We also need to mention that on the 3rd Buckeye Goal, Kelsey partially won a slot battle, causing the puck to wind up on Hauswirth's stick. You know the rest: Goal Hauswirth; Primary Assist King.
Up Next: Rematch with the Bulldogs. On Saturday we start an hour earlier than usual; Face-Off is at 2:01 PM EST.
