Re: WCHA Thread IV
Final From Saturday, February 23rd
Ohio State 3
Minnesota State 3
(Ohio State wins Shootout 1-0)
{5 Rounds}
There's always a tear or two shed at Senior Day, and this year was no exception. The tense cliffhanger against Minnesota State only added to the drama. With the shootout win finally secured, the Buckeyes celebrated in classic hockey fashion -- with a hogpile on the goalie! It was a great win, and a fitting way to close out the home portion of the season.
One problem. As we filed out of the Ice Rink, we didn't know we were closing out the home schedule. But later that night, UMD pulled off a mild upset of North Dakota, and claimed the last home ice playoff berth for themselves. For want of a single point, the Buckeyes must hit the road. Now this probably won't be a huge problem for the players and coaches. This series can be properly settled in either community. But it is a disappointment to those of us who won't be able to make the trip to Duluth.
With no home games remaining, this becomes my last 3 Stars post of the season. As such, it seems appropriate to add a few additional categories. Hope you agree.
(Tie), Kim Theut, Hokey Langan, Paige Semenza, Tina Hollowell and Minttu Tuominen, Ohio State
This weekend was the Columbus send-off for a great group of Seniors. So it's time to Theut the horn for the Class of 2013. Some may think it's a little Hokey, but for me it's really tough to turn the Paige. These great Athletes really excel at the sport we all love. No Hollow victories; all well played games. I'll always believe that. And I'm sure that osualum86 would be the first to say Minttu.
Off-Ice Purple Hearts
It was open season on the Off-Ice Officials Crew this weekend. Stray pucks found three crew members. First, a strange richochet connected with the P.A. Announcer's foot. Don't feel too bad for him; a good pair of shoes provided some protection and he left the rink seemingly no worse for the wear. But then a stray Maverick clearing attempt found not one, but two officials at once. Thankfully the first contact was with a hard plastic headset, preventing a more serious injury. From there, the puck continued on and struck the Scoreboard Operator on the side of the head. She was soon observed holding an ice pack on the impacted area. But she insisted on soldiering on, and did a great job the rest of the game.
On-Ice Purple Heart: Kari Schmitt, Ohio State
As if the above wasn't bad enough, Kari Schmitt suffered a seemingly significant injury early in the first period. Racing for a puck sent deep in the Mankato zone, she became tangled up with a Maverick player and went heavily into the boards. There didn't seem to be any dirty play involved at all; it was just one of those unfortunate things that can happen when players are going all out. In any event, Kari had to leave the arena for a medical examination. She missed the rest of the first period and all of the second. Then, astonishingly, she showed up for the third period -- suited up and ready to go. Now that's fighting through adversity with courage and determination. Thumbs up to Kari Schmitt.
#3 Star: Hokey Langan, Ohio State
OK, Hokey was one of the nine shooters who didn't score. But what a move! Pulling the puck to her backhand at the last second, she fooled the Maverick goalie and had quite a bit of net to shoot at. As it happened, she hit the post. Hard. Style points, yes. Goal, no.
#2 Star: Danielle Gagne, Ohio State
Could be that the coaches told Danielle "just hit the net." Or, maybe Danielle came up with that plan on her own. Either way, it was the right call. Gagne simply skated into the zone and fired. The puck certainly hit the net, clanging off the underside of the crossbar and caroming in for a very satisfying shootout-winning goal.
#1 Star: Chelsea Knapp, Ohio State
Chelsea gave us a dominating performance in the shootout. While several of her teammates missed the goal cage at the other end of the ice, the Mavericks put all their shots on a target. But each time, Knapp said no. The Mavs seemed to believe the book on Chelsea was to beat her to the stick side, and went there repeatedly. But Knapp was more than equal to the task, gaining confidence on every save. Perfection!
Honorable Mention: (tie) Lauren Smith, Kathleen Rogan and Tracy McCann, Minnesota State
The Maverick's scoring line continued its productive ways, bagging a pair of goals on Saturday. MSU opened the scoring with a nice give and go play. With Rogan set up behind the net Gretzky-style, Smith fed her the puck and took off for the slot. Rogan's well-timed pass found Smith's tape, and Lauren made no mistake with her shot. Next the trio scored another one of those "it takes a village to beat Chelsea Knapp" goals. This time Smith won the puck along the boards, Rogan took the initial shot and McCann finished the job, swatting the puck into the net just outside the goal line.
BTW, Lakewood, Ohio native Tracy McCann had a sizable contingent of fans in the house for this weekend's games. It's great to see Tracy doing well in the WCHA.
#3 Star: Ally Tarr, Ohio State
Another multi-goal game for Ally; the final tally was two goals on this time. The first goal was unassisted. It was a "Mav Breakout Interrupted" as Tarr stole the puck along the boards. Wheeling into the slot and using a defender as a screen, Ally drilled a wrist shot into the short side of the net. Later, wanting to prove that she has a great slap shot as well, Tarr launched a wicked one-timer off a feed from Sara Schmitt for the second Buckeye goal.
Confidential to Ally: "Roofing a shot" refers to the top of the net, not the roof of the building.
But that's OK; you were brilliant anyhow.
#2 Star: Kelsie Scott, Minnesota State
Kelsie created the goal that cost us home ice for the playoffs. Coming with just 2:46 left in regulation time, it sent the game into overtime and ultimately a shootout. I presume that Minnesota-Duluth will be sending a lovely greeting card. In any event, Scott carried the puck across the blue line on the left side. Refusing to relinquish the puck, she circled the Buckeye and set up shop at the right circle. From there she exchanged passes with defender Giulianna Pallotta, then rifled a perfect cross-ice pass to Casey Hirsch. Nicely positioned at the back door, all Casey had to do was tap the puck into the empty side of the net.
#1 Star: Melani Moylan, Ohio State
What a shot from Melani! Moylan grabbed a loose puck near the left point, took a couple of strides, then rifled a wrister over the goalie's shoulder, into the upper left hand corner of the net. Had things been just a little different, it would have been a GWG. As it was, you'd probably say it earned 1 point in the standings by supporting the tie.
As each season winds down, it is sad to say goodbye to the Seniors. But it's also exciting when get a glimpse of the future. Freshman Moylan gave us one of those glimpses. Hey Melani -- three more years of those wrist shots, please.
Next Up: Polishing up the golf clubs and... No wait! It's just the 3 Stars going on break! The team has a huge WCHA Playoff series against UMD in Duluth. Go Bucks!
Final From Saturday, February 23rd
Ohio State 3
Minnesota State 3
(Ohio State wins Shootout 1-0)
{5 Rounds}
Emotional Senior Day Win For The Buckeyes
There's always a tear or two shed at Senior Day, and this year was no exception. The tense cliffhanger against Minnesota State only added to the drama. With the shootout win finally secured, the Buckeyes celebrated in classic hockey fashion -- with a hogpile on the goalie! It was a great win, and a fitting way to close out the home portion of the season.
One problem. As we filed out of the Ice Rink, we didn't know we were closing out the home schedule. But later that night, UMD pulled off a mild upset of North Dakota, and claimed the last home ice playoff berth for themselves. For want of a single point, the Buckeyes must hit the road. Now this probably won't be a huge problem for the players and coaches. This series can be properly settled in either community. But it is a disappointment to those of us who won't be able to make the trip to Duluth.
With no home games remaining, this becomes my last 3 Stars post of the season. As such, it seems appropriate to add a few additional categories. Hope you agree.
Five Stars of the Weekend
(Tie), Kim Theut, Hokey Langan, Paige Semenza, Tina Hollowell and Minttu Tuominen, Ohio State
This weekend was the Columbus send-off for a great group of Seniors. So it's time to Theut the horn for the Class of 2013. Some may think it's a little Hokey, but for me it's really tough to turn the Paige. These great Athletes really excel at the sport we all love. No Hollow victories; all well played games. I'll always believe that. And I'm sure that osualum86 would be the first to say Minttu.
Four Purple Hearts of the Game
Off-Ice Purple Hearts
It was open season on the Off-Ice Officials Crew this weekend. Stray pucks found three crew members. First, a strange richochet connected with the P.A. Announcer's foot. Don't feel too bad for him; a good pair of shoes provided some protection and he left the rink seemingly no worse for the wear. But then a stray Maverick clearing attempt found not one, but two officials at once. Thankfully the first contact was with a hard plastic headset, preventing a more serious injury. From there, the puck continued on and struck the Scoreboard Operator on the side of the head. She was soon observed holding an ice pack on the impacted area. But she insisted on soldiering on, and did a great job the rest of the game.
On-Ice Purple Heart: Kari Schmitt, Ohio State
As if the above wasn't bad enough, Kari Schmitt suffered a seemingly significant injury early in the first period. Racing for a puck sent deep in the Mankato zone, she became tangled up with a Maverick player and went heavily into the boards. There didn't seem to be any dirty play involved at all; it was just one of those unfortunate things that can happen when players are going all out. In any event, Kari had to leave the arena for a medical examination. She missed the rest of the first period and all of the second. Then, astonishingly, she showed up for the third period -- suited up and ready to go. Now that's fighting through adversity with courage and determination. Thumbs up to Kari Schmitt.
Three Stars of the Shootout
#3 Star: Hokey Langan, Ohio State
OK, Hokey was one of the nine shooters who didn't score. But what a move! Pulling the puck to her backhand at the last second, she fooled the Maverick goalie and had quite a bit of net to shoot at. As it happened, she hit the post. Hard. Style points, yes. Goal, no.
#2 Star: Danielle Gagne, Ohio State
Could be that the coaches told Danielle "just hit the net." Or, maybe Danielle came up with that plan on her own. Either way, it was the right call. Gagne simply skated into the zone and fired. The puck certainly hit the net, clanging off the underside of the crossbar and caroming in for a very satisfying shootout-winning goal.
#1 Star: Chelsea Knapp, Ohio State
Chelsea gave us a dominating performance in the shootout. While several of her teammates missed the goal cage at the other end of the ice, the Mavericks put all their shots on a target. But each time, Knapp said no. The Mavs seemed to believe the book on Chelsea was to beat her to the stick side, and went there repeatedly. But Knapp was more than equal to the task, gaining confidence on every save. Perfection!
Three Stars of the Game: Decidedly Unofficial and Just For Fun
Honorable Mention: (tie) Lauren Smith, Kathleen Rogan and Tracy McCann, Minnesota State
The Maverick's scoring line continued its productive ways, bagging a pair of goals on Saturday. MSU opened the scoring with a nice give and go play. With Rogan set up behind the net Gretzky-style, Smith fed her the puck and took off for the slot. Rogan's well-timed pass found Smith's tape, and Lauren made no mistake with her shot. Next the trio scored another one of those "it takes a village to beat Chelsea Knapp" goals. This time Smith won the puck along the boards, Rogan took the initial shot and McCann finished the job, swatting the puck into the net just outside the goal line.
BTW, Lakewood, Ohio native Tracy McCann had a sizable contingent of fans in the house for this weekend's games. It's great to see Tracy doing well in the WCHA.
#3 Star: Ally Tarr, Ohio State
Another multi-goal game for Ally; the final tally was two goals on this time. The first goal was unassisted. It was a "Mav Breakout Interrupted" as Tarr stole the puck along the boards. Wheeling into the slot and using a defender as a screen, Ally drilled a wrist shot into the short side of the net. Later, wanting to prove that she has a great slap shot as well, Tarr launched a wicked one-timer off a feed from Sara Schmitt for the second Buckeye goal.
Confidential to Ally: "Roofing a shot" refers to the top of the net, not the roof of the building.
But that's OK; you were brilliant anyhow.#2 Star: Kelsie Scott, Minnesota State
Kelsie created the goal that cost us home ice for the playoffs. Coming with just 2:46 left in regulation time, it sent the game into overtime and ultimately a shootout. I presume that Minnesota-Duluth will be sending a lovely greeting card. In any event, Scott carried the puck across the blue line on the left side. Refusing to relinquish the puck, she circled the Buckeye and set up shop at the right circle. From there she exchanged passes with defender Giulianna Pallotta, then rifled a perfect cross-ice pass to Casey Hirsch. Nicely positioned at the back door, all Casey had to do was tap the puck into the empty side of the net.
#1 Star: Melani Moylan, Ohio State
What a shot from Melani! Moylan grabbed a loose puck near the left point, took a couple of strides, then rifled a wrister over the goalie's shoulder, into the upper left hand corner of the net. Had things been just a little different, it would have been a GWG. As it was, you'd probably say it earned 1 point in the standings by supporting the tie.
As each season winds down, it is sad to say goodbye to the Seniors. But it's also exciting when get a glimpse of the future. Freshman Moylan gave us one of those glimpses. Hey Melani -- three more years of those wrist shots, please.
Next Up: Polishing up the golf clubs and... No wait! It's just the 3 Stars going on break! The team has a huge WCHA Playoff series against UMD in Duluth. Go Bucks!
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