Ohio State sophomore forward Jocelyn Amos (17) dumps the puck into the offensive zone during the game against Wisconsin Saturday. Amos assisted on two goals to help the Buckeyes bounce back from a loss Friday to defeat the Badgers 3-2. Credit: Faith Schneider | Lantern Photographer
The Wisconsin Badgers are undefeated no more.
The No. 2 Buckeyes (12-3-2, 7-3-2 Western Collegiate Hockey Association) faced No. 1 Wisconsin (13-1, 9-1 WCHA) on Saturday, where they split the weekend series thanks to a 3-2 win.
The Buckeyes went up 2-0 in the first period during both games in the series.
Forward Makenna Webster scored at 4:35 in the first, her third of the year was assisted by forward Jocelyn Amos.
Halfway through the period, forward Maddi Wheeler scored her fourth of the season on the power play. She was assisted by defender Riley Brengman and Amos.
Wheeler scored goals in both games against her former team this weekend.
Head coach Nadine Muzerall said she met with Wheeler this week to discuss the excitement that comes with playing her former team.
“It obviously gave her a little more fuel and excitement,” Muzerall said. “[Wheeler] scoring key goals, especially on the power play, where we’ve been struggling a little bit, was a good motivator for us.”
The Badgers cut the lead in half after getting a power play goal of their own. Forward Kirsten Simms scored her fourth of the season, assisted by Casey O’ Brien and Caroline Harvey.
The first period ended with the Buckeyes leading 2-1. Ohio State put 10 shots on Badgers goaltender Ava Mcnaughton, meanwhile goaltender Amanda Thiele faced eight shots.
The second period highlighted many prime opportunities for both squads, but the score remained locked at 2-1 in favor of the Buckeyes.
The Buckeyes opened the scoring in the third with a short-handed goal on the breakaway from forward Kiara Zanon. Zanon’s fifth of the season was assisted by forward Joy Dunne.
Zanon said she tried the same move yesterday, so she was glad it went in this time.
“I was super excited myself, especially with the momentum going that way,” Zanon said. “A shorthanded goal in a close game against Wisconsin is super cool.”
On the same power play, the Badgers cut the lead after a frenzy ensued in front of the net.
Mcnaughton couldn’t cover the puck and forward Maggie Scannell put in the rebound for the score. She was assisted by Cassie Hall and Laney Potter.
But the Buckeyes secured the win after defending off the Badgers with an extra attacker for the final two minutes.
“We might have to see these guys four more times and we know how difficult that’s going to be,” Muzerall said. “There’s going to be wins and losses between two great teams and we’re just excited that we got three points this weekend.”
The 3-2 victory for the Buckeyes snaps the Badgers’ undefeated 13 game winning streak.
The Buckeyes are back in action next weekend against Minnesota State. Friday puck drop is at 7 p.m. and Saturday is at 3 p.m. in Mankato, Minn.
