Buckeyes Fall to No. 2 Gophers, 4-2 – Ohio State Buckeyes

Box Score | Schedule | Roster | Season Stats

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 1 Ohio State women’s hockey team dropped a hard-fought game against No. 2 Minnesota, 4-2, Friday night at the OSU Ice Rink. Second period goals from Jenna Buglioni and Sophie Jaques gave the Buckeyes a one-goal edge to start the final frame, but Ohio State (8-1-0, 8-1-0 WCHA) was ultimately unable to hold off the Gophers (7-0-0, 7-0-0 WCHA).

How it Happened

Minnesota took its first lead of the evening at 9:01 in the first period off a goal from Nelli Laitinen. The Gophers carried that 1-0 lead through most of the second frame, until Ohio State was able to capitalize on a couple of rebounds as time expired.

With under two minutes to play in the second period, the Buckeyes tallied two goals in a 38 second span to push themselves ahead of the Gophers.

Jenna Buglioni gave Ohio State its first goal of the day on the power play off assists from freshmen Sydney Morrow and Sloane Matthews. With under 10 seconds to play on the Buckeyes’ second power play opportunity of the game, Morrow sent a shot towards the Gophers’ net that bounced off goaltender Skylar Vetter. Buglioni, who was positioned in front of the Minnesota net, punched in the rebound and lit the lamp for Ohio State.

Moments later, Sophie Jaques got her stick on another loose puck in the Gopher goal crease to put Ohio State ahead of Minnesota 2-1 with just 42 seconds to play in the period. Jenn Gardiner, who led the Buckeye rush into the Gopher zone, and Gabby Rosenthal recorded assists on the goal.

It was a Gopher goal just 20 seconds into the third period that put a halt to the Buckeyes’ momentum. Minnesota went on to score three consecutive goals to take the 4-2 win.

Game Notes

• Ohio State goaltender Amanda Thiele made 28 saves in the matchup, her most this season.
• For the second series in a row, Jenna Buglioni tallied a power play goal for the Buckeyes. Buglioni, a sophomore from Port Moody, B.C., has now scored four goals this season and two have come on the power play.
• With an assist in the contest, Jenn Gardiner’s point streak continues to nine games.
• Sophie Jaques added her team-high eighth goal of the season on Friday. She continues to be tied with Gardiner for most points on the team this year with 13.
• Ohio State’s win streak ends at 18 games with Friday’s loss to Minnesota. The stretch was the longest by the Buckeyes in the program’s 23-year history.
• Ohio State finished with a 36-28 advantage in…