Kendra Antony scored on a rebound 3:04 into overtime to send seventh-ranked Wisconsin to a 3-2 win over visiting Ohio State at Capitol Ice Arena on Saturday.
The Badgers improved to 15-5-2, 9-4-2 WCHA with the win while OSU fell to 8-12-2, 6-7-2.
“Great performance by our players,” commented head coach Trina Bourget. “We really talked this week about bouncing back from our losses to St. Cloud. They passed the test. Phenomenal game. The second line especially had a great night tonight.”
Second line left wing Karen Rickard gave the Badgers a 1-0 lead with her first goal since returning from an injury. The frosh took a pass from Nicole Uliasz and skated into the offensive zone. Rickard cut inside then back outside before snapping a wrist shot inside the far post. Kelly Kegley was also credited with an assist on the goal at 5:30 of the first period.
Wisconsin opened a two-goal lead when Michelle Sikich tallied on a give-and-go with Rickard. Sikich took the return pass just outside the crease and shot twice before the puck found its way past OSU’s April Stojak at 1:46.
OSU would even the score by the end of the two as Sarah Van Riper and Corinne Rosen scored within the last six minutes of the second period. At 14:48, Van Riper converted a rebound after Katie Frohreich’s shot from the point rang off the crossbar. The Buckeyes struck again with just seven seconds left in the period. Rosen turned a two-on-one with Emma Laaksonen into a goal, taking the pass from her teammate and scoring past UW’s Jackie MacMillan.
The score remained tied at two through regulation and into the overtime period. Wisconsin controlled play throughout the extra stanza, outshooting OSU 3-0. The Badgers’ Hunter took a shot from the right slot after receiving a pass from Sis Paulsen, and Antony drove to the net and slid the rebound home for her 12th of the season and first game-winning goal.
“Our leadership stepped up, Michelle Sikich stepped up,” said Bourget. “I let her talk to the team a little bit during the time before overtime and we wanted it. They did it together and that is important. It showed their intensity and dedication. They have some goals in mind and they have to keep working hard game after game to achieve them.”
Both teams went scoreless on the power play, with OSU failing on five attempts and UW on three. Despite the disadvantage in power plays, Wisconsin held a slight advantage with 26 shots to OSU’s 24 for the contest.
MacMillan made 22 saves as she improved to 13-5-2. Stojak stopped 22 shots in falling to 8-12-2 on the season.
“The defense played well,” analyzed Bourget. “Jackie played an excellent game, especially on the penalty kill. She made a great save on one penalty kill after a cross-ice pass. She had a fine performance and that is what we are looking for.”
Wisconsin and Ohio State complete their season series Sunday at 1:05 p.m. at Capitol Ice Arena.
