The Gophers battled all weekend in a physical and back-and-forth series against Ohio State.
The No. 4 Gophers took one point this weekend as they dropped the first game on Friday night 3-2 and lost a tightly contested second game that ended 5-5 in regulation with Ohio State stealing the extra point in a shootout.
“We can’t give up five [goals] and expect to win hockey games. I don’t think we can expect to win if we give up even four,” said Gophers head coach Brad Frost.
Ohio State’s Charly Dahlquist scored the game-winner for the Buckeyes Friday when her shot deflected off of one of Minnesota’s defenders and trickled into the net.
“They came out the first period wanting it more than us and if a team wants it more than you, they are going to beat you fair and square,” said Gophers junior Sophie Skarzynski. “Every team is a good team and we just have to come out faster, hungrier.”
On Saturday, the Gophers grabbed a 4-3 lead early in the second period with Alex Woken’s first goal of the season. Ohio State answered the bell to get the game tied at four. The Buckeyes took their first lead of the game in the third period after Dani Sadek of Ohio State fired a slap shot off of a face off. Caitlin Reilly tied the game up at five and sent the game into overtime.
“Got to give a lot of credit to my line mates, they found the pass there and it definitely gave our team some momentum,” Reilly said.
Freshman Alex Gulstene made 36 saves for the Gophers, including nine saves in the overtime period as Ohio State was putting a lot of pressure on the Minnesota defense. That defense let up eight goals this weekend. Frost said he will stress defense this week in preparation for Bemidji State.
In the first game of the series Friday, Ohio State came out and scored two quick goals in the first four minutes of the game. Skarzynski scored her first goal of the season in the second period to get the Gophers started and then Grace Zumwinkle tied the game at two. After being outshot early in the game, the Gophers beat the Buckeyes in shots 28-27.
“We have to limit quality shots and opportunities and keep things more to the outside,” Frost said.
The No. 4 Gophers drop to 1-2-1 and look to bounce back next weekend in Bemidji.
“We lost a shootout, but overall we competed as hard as we could and everyone competed as hard as they could every shift,” Reilly said. “Heading into next weekend I think we are going into it on a positive note.”
