Re: WCHA Thread III
Final From Friday, December 30th
Ohio State 2
Princeton 2
(Ohio State Wins Shootout 2-1)
Heavy Metal Thunder Yields Only A Tie
Tina Hollowell's Breakaway. Ally Tarr's Penalty Shot. And too many more to count. Over and over, Buckeye shots found nothing but metal. And we're not talking about nicking the outside of the net. We're talking quality scoring chances slamming off crossbars and posts.
It's been said that pipes are a goalie's best friend. If that's the case, then Princeton Goalie
Rachel Weber may have found her BFF -- the OSU goal cages. Don't get me wrong; Weber made many fine saves. But without the pipes... well, you get the idea.
Overall, the game bore some resemblence to the 12/2 game against Niagara. A determined visiting underdog earned a tie after 65 minutes of hockey. Then, the home team won the exhibition shootout.
Great News Department: Melissa Feste and Kari Schmitt were back on the ice for the Buckeyes, each after an extended absence.
3 Stars of the Game: Decidedly Unofficial and Just For Fun
Ohio State Honorable Mention: Natalie Spooner
Natalie had assists on both Buckeye goals, and the shootout-winning tally. I truly want to spread around the kudos, but once again Spooner was a difference-maker. If you earn the mention, you get the mention.
Princeton Honorable Mention: Gabie Figueroa
OSU controlled the early going, and built a substantial advantage in shots. But in the second period a set of three Buckeye penalties gave the Tigers renewed life, and a power play goal. It began with a cross-slot pass from
Kelly Cooke to
Danille DeCesare. The pass was partially blocked, but DeCesare was able to do enough with it to get the puck back to Figueroa. Gabie then rifled a shot at the Buckeye goal. Though slightly offline, the shot had good pace; it deflected off a defender and into the net. The Figueroa goal tied the score and effectively got the Tigers back into the game.
#3 Star: Ally Tarr, Ohio State
Ally opened the scoring by squeezing a shot through Weber's 5 hole. The shot didn't have a lot of steam on it after getting through, but it was enough to get across the goal line. Later, Tarr earned a penalty shot by dancing around a Princeton defender and gaining a clear path to the goal. The Tiger had little choice but to pull Tarr down. As noted above, the penalty shot failed. But Ally rectified that in the shootout, roofing a sizzling shot into the upper right hand corner of the net. In an exhibition shootout, it may be iffy to describe anything as vital. But Tarr's shot countered an opening score by DiCesare. So at the very least it can be described as the turning point of the shootout.
#2 Star: Paige Semenza, Ohio State
Paige got a slot on the first line today, and started the game. Semenza certainly made the most of her opportunity. On the first scoring play, she kept the power play alive along the left wing boards. On the second Buckeye goal, she finished the play with a nifty backhand move in the slot. At the same time, Paige didn't neglect her regular duties as an energy player, and gave her usual stellar effort on the PK.
#1 Star: Sally Butler, Princeton; and Rose Alleva, Princeton (tie)
Butler and Alleva combined to tie the game with just 3:46 left in regulation time. Rose intercepted a pass in the neutral zone, and carried the puck deep into the Buckeye end. Circling the Buckeye net, she found Sally moving into the slot. Alleva's pass hit the tape. Butler's quick release one-timer beat
Chelsea Knapp under the wrist of her glove hand -- arguably a 7 hole shot. You hate to give up a tying goal in the closing moments. But you have to respect the fine play executed by Butler and Alleva.
Up Next: Rematch with Princeton Saturday Afternoon at 12:07 PM. Note the early start time, and have a Happy New Year -- both during and after the game.
Sorry about the delay in posting the full list, but New Year's Eve festivities got in the way. Will rectify that soon.