Final Score From Saturday, March 16th
Ohio State 9
Minnesota-Duluth 0
Neutrality Rule Can't Dampen Buckeye Spirits
Yes, this game was played at the OSU Ice Rink. Nevertheless, game staging was subject to the NCAA's Neutrality Rules for Regional Hosts. Among other things, PA Announcer Rink Bannister had to modify his usual spiel.
But when tea time came, it was clear that the Rink was fully steeped in Scarlet &
Grey Tradition. Rick's Signature Announcement is "
Buckeye Goal;
BUCKEYE GOAL!!" On Saturday, Rick was restricted to the first portion. But it didn't matter; the Buckeye Faithful picked up the slack. It just became a responsive reading.
You might describe it as a
Constant Comment. How constant was it? Does nine repetitions qualify for constancy? I say Yes.
Now I'm not sure I can recommend brewing Buckeye Leaves. But whatever "Neutral Leaves" were used, they did the trick. Hot tea; heavily caffeinated. The Buckeyes hit the ice full of energy and fully focused.
Three Stars Of The Game: Decidedly Unofficial & Just For Fun
Minnesota-Duluth Honorable Mention: (tie) Hanna Baskin and Katie Davis
The Bulldogs weren't their usual stubborn selves. Perhaps the marathon game they played Thursday against UConn helps explain what happened. Be that as it may, individual Bulldogs certainly played well. Hanna led all UMD Defenders with 3 Blocked Shots; Katie led all UMD Forwards with 3 SOG.
Ohio State Honorable Mention: (tie) Hadley Hartmetz; Makenna Webster and Emma Peschel
Identifying the difference-makers in this game was a bit of a challenge. OSU got fine contributions up and down the lineup. But roughly halfway through the game, the Buckeyes netted a 5th Goal. I've come to believe this goal was the point where the contest became a rout.
The play began with a shot by Emma from the left point. Wide short side. Then Makenna did what Makenna does. Boldly swooped in and grabbed possession of the puck. Meanwhile, Hadley noticed some open ice, and headed toward the Bulldog net. Crisp tape-to-tape pass from Webster to Hartmetz. Hadley pounded the puck home.
#3 Star: (tie)Jocelyn Amos, Ohio State; and Hannah Bilka Ohio State
So much offensive production; so few Stars. But Jocelyn & Hannah were too good to ignore.
Jocelyn opened the scoring with a nifty tip of a shot from
Stephanie Markowski. I've mentioned the Buckeyes hit the ice fully energized. The goal took just 22 seconds. And it ultimately proved to be the GWG. Amos added an assist in the 2nd and an assist in the 3rd to complete her 3 point night.
Hannah bagged a pair of goals as part of a +3 night. On her first, she picked the UMD Keeper's pocket and scored on a nifty wrap around. It was so slick that it took video replay to verify that the puck was over the line. Did I hear someone say that Hannah
Bilked the Goalie? (winking emoji here) On her second, Bilka completed a dynamic odd man rush, steering in a perfect pass from
Joy Dunne.
#2 Star: Raygun Kirk, Ohio State
Shutouts usually merit a Star. But with just 16 saves, perhaps not? Think again. By stopping two Bulldog breakaways, Raygun kept the Buckeyes on track for a decisive win.
About 11 minutes into the contest, with the score at 1-0, Katie Davis came in all alone on Kirk. Raygun stuffed the attempt. If the score had been tied at 1-1, who knows how the rest of the game plays out?
About 12 minutes into the second period, with the score at 4-0,
Olivia Wallin had a clear path to the OSU net. Raygun proved to be a brick wall, easily turning aside the rush. That was really UMD's last, best chance to get back into the contest. Roughly 4 minutes later, the Buckeyes got the Hartmetz goal. After that, the Bulldogs got 4 SOG
for the rest of the game.
#1 Star: Olivia Mobley, Ohio State
Depth is good! Fourth Line Wing Mobley could easily have had a hat trick. But one of Olivia's shots hit metal, and required a
Jordan Baxter tap-in. I'm guessing Mobley willingly accepted the primary assist as a component of her 3 point night.
The play on Mobley's first goal began innocently enough, with a D to D pass from Riley
Brengman to
Lauren Bernard. Lauren did the heavy lifting, working the puck below the end line, and extracting the puck before the goalie could play it. Smartly following the play, Olivia was able to score from close range. That made the score 2-0. It was a big step forward when the game was very much in doubt.
As an encore, Mobley scored off an offensive zone face-off. Clean face-off win by Jordan Baxter; Olivia hammered it in. The 2nd Period then ended with the Buckeyes leading 7-0.
There was nothing wrong with either 3rd Period goal. But it was mop-duty at the point. Frozen Four Berth Secured!
Confidential To Barnes, Dunne & Gardiner: I was happily watching Hockey when a Volleyball game broke out. Umbrella formation on the PP. Then the three of you formed a straight line, with Cayla as the setter. Fake spike by Joy; real spike from Jenn. OK, that play didn't result in a kill. But it sure was fun!
Up Next: The Frozen Four Hosted By The University of New Hampshire. See you in Durham.
