Re: WCHA Thread IV
Final From Saturday, January 26th
UMD 3
Ohio State 2
Second Period Surge Powers Bulldog Win
This weekend at the Schottenstein Center might be dubbed
The Agony and the Ecstasy. Men's Hockey provided the ecstasy with a much needed, well deserved sweep of Lake Superior State. Unfortunately, the Women's team went through the agony.
In a span of exactly 5 minutes, UMD bagged 3 second period goals. Once again, the Buckeyes were placed in the unenviable position of playing catch-up. Once again, the valiant comeback bid come up just short. Also similar to Friday, both power plays clicked. In the end, both teams went 2 for 5 with the extra skater.
There were, however, some differences between the two games. Friday's "Snow Day Scrimmage" was a bit short on defense. Overall, Saturday was much more tightly contested. But ultimately it was another 3 points for the Bulldogs.
Three Stars of the Game: Decidedly Unofficial and Just For Fun
Ohio State Honorable Mention: Hokey Langan
Though scored in losing effort, Hokey's goal is destined for the season highlight video. Executing a perfect give and go with cross-slot passes, Langan pounded
Paige Sememza's feed into the short side of the net.
UMD Honorable Mention: (tie) Hannah Bramm, and Katie Wilson
Hannah and Katie joined forces to create the GWG. They came together as both scrambled for the rebound of a
Tea Villila shot. Arguably Wilson should have yielded to Bramm; Hannah's momentum was moving toward the net. But it didn't play out that way. Instead, the resulting double-hit turned into a quirky but deadly effective shot on goal. The Buckeye goalie made the initial stop, but couldn't handle the rebound.
Brienna Gillanders hungrily gathered up the loose puck and stuffed it in the net. At the time, it seemed like little more than an insurance goal. But in the end it paid a large dividend.
#3 Star: Jenna McParland, UMD
Earlier in season, IIRC, some USCHO posts described Jenna's play as listness and uninspired. Well, I'm hear to tell you that reports of McParland's demise were greatly exxagerated. Jenna was a force up and down the ice Saturday. Her goal alone qualifies for that description. Down in a defensive corner,
Shara Jasper banked a breakout pass off the near boards. McParland accepted the puck around her blue line, and carried the puck all the way into scoring position. From there she patiently curled across the slot, and then used her excellent reach to wrap the puck around the Buckeye goalie and into the goal cage.
#2 Star: Paige Semenza, Ohio State
Paige's brilliant pass led directly to Hokey Langan's goal, as noted above. Semenza also had a goal of her own, steering Kari Schmitt's centering pass into the lower right hand corner. The two scoring plays were by no means clones. A fully set-up power play generated the Langan goal; the Semenza goal came on an odd-man rush. But the plays were similar enough to say that Paige was returning the favor for the great pass she had earlier received. Semenza's fine two point effort was almost enough to pull the Buckeyes even. Almost.
#1 Star: (tie) Zoe Hickel, and Jamie Kenyon, UMD
The second UMD goal was the play of the game. That was the "oh no, here we go again" moment. Working on a 5x3, Zoe took an offensive zone face-off and perfectly pulled the puck back to Jamie at the top of the right circle. From there, Kenyon dangled out to the right point. Meanwhile, Hickel stealthily glided into scoring position. Jamie launched a crisp, low drive toward the right post -- perfectly timed for Zoe's arrival. Hickel finished the play by expertly guiding the puck into the net. All of Saturday's goals had their selling points; but this one had the largest Wow factor. Gotta split the #1 Star this time; hope no one minds.
Next Up: Road Trip To Bemidji State
Hmmmm...
But I think they bounce back against the Beavers this weekend and win both. 
Anyway, good luck in Bemidji!