Ohio State junior forward Liz Schepers (21) battles against a Minnesota Gopher during the puck drop during the Ohio State-Minnesota game on Nov.15. Ohio State won 3-1. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | For the Lantern
Sneaking the above over the outstretched glove of Minnesota State goalie Calla Frank, Liz Schepers scored a goal to put Ohio State women’s hockey on the board less than six minutes into Saturday’s game.
That score from the Ohio State junior forward was the only one the Mavericks’ freshman netminder allowed, but it was all that was needed, as No. 5 Ohio State (22-8-6, 15-6-5 WCHA) defeated Minnesota State (11-20-6, 4-17-4) 1-0 to advance in the conference tournament.
“We always say win the first, win the game,” Ohio State head coach Nadine Muzerall said. “We win a lot when we win the first period. We have been that team that tries to get out in front early because we’re going to make you work hard to try to take it from us.”
Schepers’ first-period delivery was her second of the series –– notching her team-leading 22nd goal of the season.
On the play, junior forward Emma Maltais’ assist broke the single-season program record, giving her 39 for the year.
“You’re in a field of very impressive alums and so if you’re able to have your name on top of that podium, that speaks very highly of you as a player,” Muzerall said. “Especially in our league –– that is so difficult, to get a point. I compliment her because she works very hard on and off the ice to get this point, it’s exciting that she still has one more year.”
In the first period, Minnesota State put up nearly as many shots as it did in Friday’s first and second periods combined. At the end of the period, the Mavericks led Ohio State 9-8 in shots, something they didn’t do in any period in the first game.
But Ohio State sophomore goaltender Andrea Braendli didn’t allow any Maverick shot to pass her Saturday, and finished with a cumulative 41 saves in the series.
“Some of their shots, in the beginning, were pretty outside. Andrea did a good job at no bad rebounds and putting the pucks to the corners,” Muzerall said. “Our defensive line did a pretty good job at blocking a lot of those shots. They stood tall in front of her.”
The second period was littered with power plays, as seven players went to the box for penalties.
Due to the high volume of whistles, just two of the seven penalties in the second period led to power play advantages, while the rest saw the teams balanced out at four-on-four.
“You gotta stay out of the box,” Muzerall said. “We talk about us being dangerous five-on-five, the girls stayed committed to that. They did a great job at back-checking and being smart with the puck on the blue line, I can’t commend them enough on their hard-fought effort to get to that next level.”
Despite eight Minnesota State penalty minutes in the second period, Ohio State was unable to capitalize on any power plays or four-on-fours.
It led in the shot column 25-15 at the termination of the period.
As the clock ticked down in the final frame, Minnesota State had an opportunity to even the score following a faceoff win. The Mavericks raced down for the chance, but Ohio State freshman forward Jennifer Gardiner and redshirt senior defenseman Jincy Dunne combined to force a turnover and secure the 1-0 finish.
The win punches the Buckeyes’ ticket to the WCHA Final Faceoff, their third straight conference semifinal appearance in head coach Nadine Muzerall’s four seasons Ohio State.
“I think it’s really exciting to be approaching that phase,” sophomore defenseman Sophie Jaques said. “It just shows our success as a team and everyone will enjoy being there. That’ll just make our season so much better.”
Ohio State advances to Saturday’s Final Faceoff in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where it will meet No. 3 Minnesota.
