Re: WCHA Thread V
Final Score From Friday, November 14th
Minnesota 4
Ohio State 2
Talented Gophers Have The Answers At The Key Junctures
The initial 19 minutes of the game produced no goals, and that shot count stood at 10-8. While the Visitors were taking the offensive initiative more often than not, we had a close game on our hands. Then came the dreaded occurrence: Giving up a goal in the last minute of a period. The Gophers were in business. The momentum carried over into the middle period; the Gophers built a 3-0 lead. Then, when the Buckeyes used a pair of PP goals to pull within a goal, Minnesota responded less than a minute later.
New script? Nope; it's a rather familiar storyline, especially when you play against a great team. Pause for just a moment to feel good about yourself, and the puck winds up in the back of the net.
The 3 Stars of the Game: Decidedly Unofficial and Just For Fun
Minnesota Honorable Mention: Hannah Brandt
Was surprised recently to see some skeptical comments regarding Brandt on the board. OK, maybe she doesn't have the flash of an Amanda Kessel. But Hannah is extremely effective, and makes everyone she plays with better. Whenever she's on the ice, she's clearly the go-to player. Tonight was certainly no exception, despite the lack of scoring points. As just one example, winning 22 face-offs is a good evening's work.
Ohio State Honorable Mention: Kassidy Sauve
Kassidy had 40 saves; including many of the difficult variety. In the end it wasn't enough, but it was a good performance nevertheless.
#3 Star: Maryanne Menefee, Minnesota
Maryanne bagged that clutch goal at the end of the first period. Reacting quickly to a Rachel Ramsey shot from the point, Menefee slammed the rebound into the net.
#2 Star: Taylor Kuehl, Ohio State
Great to see 2 PP goals from the Minnetrista, MN native. On the first play, the assists came from up high, with
Sara Schmitt and
Julia MacKinnon working the points. On the second play, the assists came from down low. The tenacious forechecking of
Claudia Kepler and
Kendall Curtis created the scoring chance.
#1 Star: Rachel Bona, Minnesota
Rachel netted the insurance goal that restored the two goal Gopher lead and blunted the Buckeye rally. Also crucial were Bona's primary assists on the second and third goals. Well done, Rachel.
Next Up: The Saturday Afternoon Rematch. Face-Off at 2:07 PM EST.
how would that make them pick MSU-M over Bemidji? they thought the new coaches would fail?
