No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Wisconsin shake hands after the Badgers' 6-3 victory in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association final faceoff championship game at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis.Credit: Cameron Moonlantern Reporter
In the most important game of the season, No. 1 Ohio State women's ice hockey couldn't get the job done.
The Buckeyes lost to No. 2 Wisconsin 6-3 on Friday in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association final faceoff championship game at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis.
Ohio State currently has no chance of winning back-to-back conference titles.
Wisconsin (33-5, 24-5, WCHA) shocked Ohio State (32-4, 26-3, WCHA) early, scoring sophomore forward Kirsten Sims and sophomore forward Kirsten Sims. Laila Edwards scored two goals.
“We made some bad mistakes and lost a wide man on an odd-man rush,” Ohio State head coach Nadine Museral said. “The shooting was in our favor in time and zone, but they scored when they needed to and capitalized on what they needed to do. That's what's more important, and we didn't do that.”
Wisconsin only had six shots on goal in the opening frame, compared to Ohio State's 10, which looked much more efficient.
“They put a lot of pressure on us and we weren’t as calm as we were before.” [Friday]” said Ohio State senior defenseman Lauren Bernard. “We just kept pushing the puck up the wall when they were where they wanted us to be. We adapted to that quickly.”
The Buckeyes responded with a goal by freshman forward Jocelyn Amos at 1:17 of the second period to make it 2-1. Wisconsin held Ohio State scoreless the rest of the way, scoring three goals of its own, including a shorthanded and power-play score.
“We could have handled it better, but we can learn from this game,” Ohio State graduate forward Hannah Birka said. “If we don't change what we did today, we'll change it the next time we play.” [Wisconsin]”
Museral said Wisconsin's four consecutive goals between the second and third periods was not due to a change in game plan.
“We had to make some important saves and we didn't make them,” Muselal said. “We had to make some important plays and we didn't make them. [Wisconsin is] They're good and we're going to take advantage of that. ”
Birka scored two goals at 15:23 and 17:47 of the third period for Ohio State, but it proved to be too little, too late for the Buckeyes, who lost for the second straight game to Wisconsin. .
Ohio State outscored Wisconsin 33-22 for the entire game, but the Badgers' strong goaltending ultimately proved to be what thwarted the Buckeyes' scoring opportunities.
Ohio State senior goaltender Raegan Kirk dropped her second game of the season and allowed her highest points of the season, but Badgers freshman netminder Eva McNaughton saved 30 shots and earned her 18th win of the season. Ta.
“At the end of the season, everyone is playing their strongest game,” Birka said. “One of the best teams we've seen this year, but I think we can do more.”
Looking ahead to the NCAA Tournament, Muselal said he hopes this loss will propel his team toward a title.
“I just hope we can piss the team off and win the national championship,” Muselal said.
Ohio State will wait to be seeded for the NCAA Tournament, with seeding scheduled to be announced at noon Sunday. ESPNews will televise the selection process.
