The Gophers capped the first half of their season in December with a dominating sweep of Ohio State on the road.Minnesota began the second half of its season against the same team, but this time around, it was a different story.
Minnesota beat Ohio State 6-0 on Friday behind a hat trick from sophomore forward Hannah Brandt. But the Buckeyes battled back Saturday for a 2-2 tie and came out on top in the shootout.
Minnesota went down a goal midway through the second period, but third-period goals from defensemen Baylee Gillanders and Rachel Ramsey had the team on top late in the game. Ohio State tied it with just under two minutes left in regulation.
After a scoreless overtime period, the two teams headed to a shootout, which lasted nine rounds before Ohio State won it.
"Unfortunately [we] didn't play our best hockey and when you do that against a good team, bad things happen," head coach Brad Frost told reporters after the game Saturday. "It's something that we need to learn from, and it's an opportunity to learn, and we will."
Minnesota will play a home-and-home against Minnesota State – Mankato next weekend. The Gophers will host the Mavericks at TCF Bank Stadium as part of the Hockey City Classic and then will resume the series Sunday in Mankato, Minn.
