National number-one Minnesota escaped Ohio State with a weekend sweep, closing out the series with a 2-1 overtime win over the No. 8 Buckeyes.
Ronda Curtin scored the game-winning goal at 4:09 in the overtime period for the Gophers (23-2-5, 16-1-3 WCHA), now undefeated in 24 consecutive games. Minnesota regained a five-point lead over second-place Minnesota-Duluth in the WCHA.
“Ohio State is a tough place to win, so it’s great to come out of here with a sweep,” head coach Laura Halldorson said. “Once again, we found a way to win a tight game.”
The two teams both had five-on-three opportunities in the first period, but were unable to convert. Minnesota had 12 shots on goal, 11 of which were on the power play.
The Golden Gophers got on the board at 2:58 of the third period when Tracy Engstrom scored her 14th goal of the season. Ronda Curtin set up the power-play goal with a slapshot and earned the assist.
The Buckeyes had a five-on-three opportunity again in the third period, and scored at 12:31 to send the game into overtime. Jeni Creary scored her 23rd goal of the season with the assist credited to Emily Hudak and Heather Farrell.
At 4:09 of overtime, Curtin scored her ninth goal of the season, second in two nights. Curtin wound up for the slapshot to earn her second point of the night. It is her third game-winning goal for the 2001-02 season, second in overtime. Jerilyn Glenn passed the puck to Curtin, and had the game-winning assist.
Minnesota has now played in 10 overtime games this season, holding a 5-0-5 record. The Gophers are also 11-0-1 in one-goal games.
The Gophers could earn the WCHA regular-season championship for the second year in a row as soon as next week. If the Gophers win two games within the remaining four contests of the year, Minnesota will clinch the title and will be the first seed in the WCHA Final Five.
