Re: WCHA Thread IV
Final From Sunday, December 9th
Ohio State 6
RIT 2
Cali Proves To Be Prophetic; Buckeyes Cruise to 6-2 Win
On the OSU vs. RIT thread, Cali noted an RIT pattern of strong performances in the first game of weekend, but greater difficulty in the "back end" of any given series. This weekend proved to be no exception.
That's not to say today's game was easy. The Tigers came out flying, seemingly determined to break out of the usual pattern. Bagging a goal just 2:19 into the game, it looked like they might be ready to do so. But from that point forward, the Buckeyes gradually regained control, tieing the score six minutes later. Then in the second period, OSU broke the game open with a pair of power play goals. The team was really rocking at that point; it was great to see. Strangely, the assembled throng seemed somewhat studious during the height of the excitement. Or, maybe it wasn't so strange. It is, after all, Final Exams week.
So the Buckeyes completed the first half of the season with a pair of solid non-conference wins. In the WCHA, OSU resides in undisputed 2nd Place. The Buckeyes hold a 1 point lead over Wisconsin, and also have two games in hand over the Badgers. The lead over North Dakota is 5 points, with both OSU and UND having played 14 conference games. A great start indeed!
Three Stars of the Game: Decidedly Unofficial and Just For Fun
Honorable Mention: Julia McKinnon, Ohio State
Julia had a very nice two goal night. On the first tally, a blocked shot landed in the slot, then Julia worked the puck into the net before the defense could recover. To complete the day's scoring, McKinnon strode confidently into the RIT zone on a 1 on 2 rush, then cleverly used a Tiger defender as a screen. Blasting the puck through the defender's legs, Julia beat the goalie just inside the right post.
#3 Star: Kourtney Kunichika, RIT
Kourtney did the dirty work on the first Tiger goal, digging out the puck along the right wing boards. Ultimately the younger
Casidhe Kunichika banged the puck into the net, giving RIT the early lead. Credit for the initial shot, and thus the first assist, goes to
Celeste Brown. In the 3rd Period, Kourntey proved she has finesse as well as grit, cashing in a Penalty Shot with a nifty backhand shot. As the righthander approached the net with the puck on her forehand, she pulled the puck across to her backhand and flipped the puck into the upper lefthand side of the net. Last but not least, Kourtney had a successful game in the face-off circle. On a weekend when face-off wins were hard to come by for the Tigers, she finished the game in the black at 9-8. Overall, it was a fine day for #26.
#2 Star: Kim Theut, Ohio State
Kim provided the early turning point with a strong forechecking effort along with linemate
Danielle Gagne. Theut put on the initial pressure, then Gagne forced the turnover along the right wing boards. With Danielle driving down to the corner, Kim curled back into perfect position to receive Danielle's centering pass. Theut's hot shot appeared find the 5 hole. An assist in the third period gave her a two point game. But Kim's effort went beyond scoring plays. Continuing the weekend's trend of strong play by the Buckeye Centers, she won 7 face-offs in 10 attempts. As it happened, that was the best win rate in Sunday's game on either team.
#1 Star: Ally Tarr, Ohio State
The Tigers fought hard, but the true Ally Cat was OSU's #4. Tarr was an offensive force on this breakthrough three point day. On her first goal, she received fine pass across the goal mouth from
Taylor Kuehl. From there, we're pretty much talking a slam dunk into an open net. A few minutes later Ally added an assist. Playing a trigger position on the power play, she received a cross ice pass from
Sara Schmitt. The shot was blocked by a desperate lunge by a Tiger defender, but the puck wound up in the slot for Julia McKinnon's finishing touch. On Tarr's second goal, she caused a turnover near the defensive blue line, then took off for Tigers' end. Next
Kari Schmitt hit Ally with a perfect breakout pass, springing her on a breakaway. Approaching the net, the Tiger goalie left an inviting amount of five hole room; Ally accepted the invite and claimed the goal.
Tarr has generated a lot of offense this season, but until today she's mostly been rewarded with assists. It was great to see her post her second and third goals on the season. Finally, late in the game, Ally had an opportunity to complete the hat trick. On yet another Tarr/Kuehl collaboration, a 2 on 1 rush almost gave Ally a clear shot at the net. Tons of credit goes to the Tiger defender, who broke up what might have been a right-on-the-tape pass. Be honest Buckeye fans: Were you ready with those hats?
Next Up: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! Then, contrary to previous announcements, the event on Saturday, January 5th will be an Intra-Squad Game. See you in 2013!
Just good insight on osualum86's part.
, so I'm returning the favor. 