Then-sophomore forward Emma Maltais (17) skates up the ice during the game against Bemidji State on Nov. 10. Ohio State lost 4-2. Credit: Cori Wade | Assistant Photo Editor
Ohio State women’s hockey will point its skates north and head to St. Cloud, Minnesota, this weekend for its first road series of the season.
The Buckeyes (2-0) will face off against the Huskies (1-0) Friday and Saturday, looking to use the momentum from an opening weekend sweep of St. Lawrence to get some road wins under its belt and improve on its away record from the past season.
The Ohio State offense showed this past weekend against St. Lawrence that it is a force to be reckoned with. The Buckeyes put up a total of 80 shots through two games, winning the first game 4-1 and the second game 3-2, scoring two goals in the last minute.
“I think that shooting a lot — we know we can do it now — that brings confidence for this weekend,” junior forward Emma Maltais said.
However, Ohio State head coach Nadine Muzerall said just getting shots off isn’t enough.
“We can’t be putting 41, 42 shots on the board and only coming away with a couple goals,” Muzerall said. “We have to make sure that we capitalize on our opportunities.”
The Buckeyes picked up 13 of their 20 wins at home this past season, but after going 7-7-2 on the road, they’re hoping to improve their play in hostile environments.
“We need to forget about the past because it’s a new year and a new team,” junior forward Tatum Skaggs said. “I think we have a really good chance to turn around our record on the road.”
The Buckeyes went 4-0 against the Huskies this past season, winning 4-0 and 5-0 at St. Cloud State and 3-2 in both home games. But they have to be prepared for a new look from the team this season, as the Huskies have a new head coach in Steve Macdonald.
“He might have some new tricks up his sleeve, or new systems, and we’re not aware what that could look like,” Muzerall said. “We have to zone in and focus on our strengths, and, you know, bear down on that.”
Ohio State will be playing on St. Cloud State’s Olympic-sized ice rink, which is 15 feet wider than the rink they play on at home.
“We’re going to have way more time and ice to carry the puck,” Skaggs said. “I think that’s one of our strong suits so I think we’re really ready for this.”
In the past week, St. Cloud State beat Regina 3-0 in an exhibition game off goals from junior forward McKenna Wesloh, senior forward and defenseman Hallie Theodosopoulos and freshman forward Klara Hymlarova. Hymlarova is one of five Husky freshmen forwards.
In two weeks, Ohio State will return home to face defending national champion Wisconsin. Right now, however, it’s important for the Buckeyes to focus on the task at hand.
“Within our team, we make it very known that it’s weekend by weekend,” Skaggs said. “I know that next week is a big game, and we have to start to prepare for that, but mentally and physically we need to be present this weekend at St. Cloud.”
