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With the NCAA Women's Ice Hockey National Championship Game held in Minneapolis, it felt like a home game for Wisconsin against the Ohio State Buckeyes. And, if you believe what Ohio State head coach Nadine Muzerall said during her in-game interview with ESPNU, that's exactly the way the Buckeyes wanted it.
It was the third straight National Championship Game between the two schools. Ohio State entered the 2023 game favored, but couldn't find a way through the Wisconsin defense in a 1-0 loss. Last year, the Buckeyes again entered as the favorite and got their revenge, with a 1-0 win on a Joy Dunne goal with just over seven minutes left in the game.
This year, Wisconsin entered as a heavy favorite, coming off one of the best seasons the sport has ever seen. The Buckeyes weren't cowed, though, and took things to the Badgers early, trying to defend their title and establish themselves as a women's hockey dynasty.
Unlike the last two National Championship Games, this one wouldn't be low-scoring. The fireworks came early and often, starting with a cross-checking penalty against the Buckeyes for reacting too strongly for some swipes at goalie Amanda Thiele after a puck was covered up. Dunne got the puck after the ensuing faceoff and went coast-to-coast for an incredible shorthanded goal.
Wisconsin struck back immediately, creating a 2-on-1 off the next faceoff and scoring, erasing the Ohio State lead after just 12 seconds. Laila Edwards, the country's leading scorer, used the distraction of the skater on the other side to open up the net and plug it home. This didn't faze the Buckeyes at all, though, as later in the period Sloane Matthews stole the puck, raced into the zone, and went top shelf to beat Wisconsin goalie Ava McNaughton to give the Buckeyes the lead.
Ohio State didn't let up, either, opening the second period with a steal by Makenna Webster off the opening faceoff, creating a rush that ended with a wrist shot from Emma Peschel finding the net. It was just Peschel's eighth goal of the season, but it gave the Buckeyes a 3-1 lead. Wisconsin would get one back later in the period, but the Buckeyes entered the third with a 3-2 lead.
Things got interesting when the Buckeyes had too many players on the ice with under two minutes left, but the Ohio State defense and Amanda Thiele held strong. Wisconsin challenged that the Buckeyes covered the puck in the crease with 19 seconds left, and--in a decision that will be quite controversial with Ohio State fans for a long time--the referees agreed. The Badgers scored the ensuing penalty shot to tie it at three. We were heading to overtime for a National Championship.
Wisconsin controlled play in overtime, eventually finding a goal a few minutes in after a long stretch in the Buckeye zone.
This season obviously ended on a disappointing note, especially being 19 seconds away from a title and losing on a questionable replay review, but the future is bright. This was a much younger team than last year's title-winning team, and Joy Dunne will be back, leading what should once again be a potent offense. Next year's team should look very similar to this one on the ice, though seniors like Maddi Wheeler and Makenna Webster (among others) will certainly be missed. Thiele will need to be replaced, but the Buckeyes have never struggled at that position under Muzerall.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State Women's Hockey falls to Wisconsin in National Championship
Continue reading...
It was the third straight National Championship Game between the two schools. Ohio State entered the 2023 game favored, but couldn't find a way through the Wisconsin defense in a 1-0 loss. Last year, the Buckeyes again entered as the favorite and got their revenge, with a 1-0 win on a Joy Dunne goal with just over seven minutes left in the game.
This year, Wisconsin entered as a heavy favorite, coming off one of the best seasons the sport has ever seen. The Buckeyes weren't cowed, though, and took things to the Badgers early, trying to defend their title and establish themselves as a women's hockey dynasty.
National Championship Game: Wisconsin 4, Ohio State 3 (OT)
Unlike the last two National Championship Games, this one wouldn't be low-scoring. The fireworks came early and often, starting with a cross-checking penalty against the Buckeyes for reacting too strongly for some swipes at goalie Amanda Thiele after a puck was covered up. Dunne got the puck after the ensuing faceoff and went coast-to-coast for an incredible shorthanded goal.
Wisconsin struck back immediately, creating a 2-on-1 off the next faceoff and scoring, erasing the Ohio State lead after just 12 seconds. Laila Edwards, the country's leading scorer, used the distraction of the skater on the other side to open up the net and plug it home. This didn't faze the Buckeyes at all, though, as later in the period Sloane Matthews stole the puck, raced into the zone, and went top shelf to beat Wisconsin goalie Ava McNaughton to give the Buckeyes the lead.
Ohio State didn't let up, either, opening the second period with a steal by Makenna Webster off the opening faceoff, creating a rush that ended with a wrist shot from Emma Peschel finding the net. It was just Peschel's eighth goal of the season, but it gave the Buckeyes a 3-1 lead. Wisconsin would get one back later in the period, but the Buckeyes entered the third with a 3-2 lead.
Things got interesting when the Buckeyes had too many players on the ice with under two minutes left, but the Ohio State defense and Amanda Thiele held strong. Wisconsin challenged that the Buckeyes covered the puck in the crease with 19 seconds left, and--in a decision that will be quite controversial with Ohio State fans for a long time--the referees agreed. The Badgers scored the ensuing penalty shot to tie it at three. We were heading to overtime for a National Championship.
Wisconsin controlled play in overtime, eventually finding a goal a few minutes in after a long stretch in the Buckeye zone.
What's next for Ohio State?
This season obviously ended on a disappointing note, especially being 19 seconds away from a title and losing on a questionable replay review, but the future is bright. This was a much younger team than last year's title-winning team, and Joy Dunne will be back, leading what should once again be a potent offense. Next year's team should look very similar to this one on the ice, though seniors like Maddi Wheeler and Makenna Webster (among others) will certainly be missed. Thiele will need to be replaced, but the Buckeyes have never struggled at that position under Muzerall.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State Women's Hockey falls to Wisconsin in National Championship
Continue reading...
