COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 1 Ohio State women's hockey team downed No. 9/10 St. Cloud State, 3-2, Saturday afternoon at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, Minn. With the win, the Buckeyes (22-2-0, 19-1-0 WCHA) earn the series sweep of the Huskies (15-10-1, 10-9-1 WCHA) and win the regular season series, 3-1.
How it Happened
- St. Cloud was first on the board after an uncharacteristic turnover by the Buckeyes in their own defensive zone. The Huskies' Emma Gentry scored at 10:22 to give her team the 1-0 lead.
- With 2:08 to play in the first period, the Buckeyes scored the equalizer off a St. Cloud State turnover in front of the goal. Kiara Zanon forced the turnover in the slot and Jenna Buglioni settled the puck on the goal line. She made a backhand pass back to Zanon, who scored five-hole on Husky goaltender Sanni Ahola.
- The score was knotted at one goal headed into the first intermission as were shots on goal, with each team recording eight in the opening period.
- Makenna Webster put the Buckeyes in the lead just 1:03 into the second period. She redirected shot from Hadley Hartmetz at the point past Ahola to put Ohio State ahead, 2-1.
- Neither team scored for the remainder of the second period, but Ohio State outshot the Huskies, 15-7.
- Ohio State extended its lead at the 13-minute mark. The Buckeyes' third power play opportunity of the day had just expired when Joy Dunne one-timed a pass from Zanon at the top of the goalie crease to make the score 3-1 in favor of Ohio State.
- St. Cloud pulled Ahola with 3:50 to play for the extra skater advantage. Ohio State took a penalty with 1:13 to play in the period and went down to 6-on-4. The Huskies scored with 56 seconds to come within one of Ohio State.
- The Huskies' net remained empty for the rest of the game and Ohio State held off St. Cloud to take the 3-2 win.
Game Notes
- Makenna Webster and Kiara Zanon led the team with a goal and an assist apiece in Saturday's game. The Buckeyes' second line of Zanon, Webster and Jenna Buglioni accounted for nine of the team's 18 points on the weekend.
- Zanon led the team with four points in the series. She is now second on the team with 26 points this year.
- Webster finished the game with a team-best +3 on ice.
- Amanda Thiele earned her 11th start of the year and made 18 saves for her 10th win of the season.
- The Buckeyes are now 10-0-0 on the road in conference games this year.
Statistically Speaking
Total Shots: Ohio State 60, St. Cloud State 44
Shots on Goal: Ohio State 36, St. Cloud State 20
Saves: St. Cloud State (Ahola) 33, Ohio State (Thiele) 18
Power Play: St. Cloud State 1-3, Ohio State 0-3
Faceoffs: Ohio State 31, St. Cloud State 26
Ohio State Scoring: Webster (1-1-2), Zanon (1-1-2), Dunne (1-0-1), Bernard (0-1-1), Hartmetz (0-1-1)
Up Next
Ohio State plays Bemidji State Friday, Feb. 2 and Saturday, Feb. 3 at the OSU Ice Rink. Game one starts at 6 p.m. and game two starts at 3 p.m. Both games will be streamed on B1G+ (subscription required).
Tickets for Ohio State women's hockey home games can be purchased
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