Heather Farrell’s goal on a breakaway with 38 seconds remaining in overtime lifted Ohio State (9-6-3, 4-5-3 WCHA) past Princeton (7-5-2, 3-2-0 ECAC Northern), 2-1, Saturday in their series finale at the OSU Ice Rink.
The win completed the Buckeyes’ sweep over the Tigers and upped their record to 7-1-1 in their last nine games going into a two-week break for the holidays.
The Buckeyes forechecked well in the first period, keeping a lot of the action in the neutral zone, but were unable to keep the Tigers off the board. Susan Hobson scored at the 13:45 mark of the first from Gretchen Anderson off a Buckeye turnover deep in their own zone. Shots in the first period were even, 6-6.
Less than two minutes into the second stanza, Erin O’Grady knotted the game at one with her first goal of the season. Farrell beat out a 2-on-1 along the boards and got the puck to Lindsey Ogren, who found O’Grady in front of the Tiger net. The Buckeyes were unable to score through two power-play opportunities in the second before Shana Frost drew a penalty shot when she went on a breakaway and Angela Gooldy hooked her from behind. Frost could not convert on the shot, the Buckeyes’ first penalty shot in program history.
After a scoreless third period (shots again were even at nine apiece), the teams skated into overtime, where Farrell got control of the puck in the neutral zone and went on a breakaway, putting her shot past Princeton goalie Sarah Ahlquist.
Farrell now leads the team in game-winning goals with three.
“As for the series, it was a great two-game series against Princeton,” Jackie Barto, OSU head coach, said. “Princeton played well, they are a solid hockey team. It was great that Heather Farrell was able to come out with a clutch play like she did. I like our intensity and the level of play we are putting out. Now is a good opportunity for a two-week break and hopefully, we can come back and keep the roll going.”
Ohio State outshot Princeton, 31-29. The Buckeyes were unable to convert on two power-play chances but held the Tigers scoreless through four opportunities.
Glaser finished with 28 saves, for a two-game total of 57, and improved to 7-3-2 on the season, while Ahlquist recorded 29 saves in the loss.
