Sixth-ranked Minnesota stunned Ohio State Saturday night, rallying from a two-goal deficit to claim the series finale Saturday at Mariucci Arena, 3-2. The game-winner came off an Ohio State own goal with just 21 seconds remaining in the game.
OSU’s Jeni Creary netted the first goal of the game for the second consecutive night. She snuck the puck past Gopher goaltender Jody Horak through traffic, converting at 5:40 of the first period from Jennifer Desson and Jeanne Chapple. The goal was Creary’s 10th of the season.
The Buckeyes took a 2-0 lead when Shana Frost scored her first of the season, on the power play, at 7:28. Christine Patno picked up the puck along the boards and sent a pass to Emily Hudak on the point. Hudak found Frost in front of the Gopher net.
But Minnesota managed to pull within one at 15:04 in the first. Tracy Engstrom recorded the goal for UM, with the assist going to Laura Slominski.
At 2:02 in the second stanza, the Gophers knotted the game at two. Less than 30 seconds after Katie Frohreich received a minor for checking from behind, Kelly Stephens scored a power-play goal from Sarma Pone and Kristy Oonincx. Ohio State had three power-play opportunities in the second, but could not find the back of the net.
Buckeye netminder Melissa Glaser had several big saves in the third period, including a glove save on Engstrom’s shot with 35 seconds remaining. Glaser managed to get her stick on Stephens’ shot with 21 seconds to go but knocked in the rebound. Stephens was credited with OSU’s own goal.
The Gophers outshot the Buckeyes, 28-19. Glaser had 25 saves on the night, a season best, while Horak recorded 17 stops.
Ohio State was 1-for-4 on the power play (.250) and held Minnesota to one goal in four opportunities. Following the series sweep, the Gophers climb to 5-2-1 overall and 4-1-1 in the WCHA while the Buckeyes fall to 2-4-2 overall and 1-3-2 in the WCHA.
