Regular season hockey returned to Columbus Friday night. Fans at the OSU Ice Rink were treated to a shutout win for the Buckeye Women’s team.
Speed and transition brought Ohio State’s best opportunities in the game. Kendall Curtis led the way with a breakaway late in the first period that was only kept out by the effort of UNH goalie Vilma Vaattorvaara. It was Curtis’ work that helped put the Buckeyes ahead 5 minutes into the second period. #26 went streaking down the ice, eventually getting a shot off. The resulting rebound ended up with fellow Buckeye Claudia Kepler who buried the game’s only goal.
It was an uneven effort for Ohio State in the early going as penalties disrupted the play. UNH was most effective on their three earliest powerplays, and OSU struggled to suppress the scoring chances at times. Luckily for the home team, freshman goalie Kassidy Sauve kept her club perfect on the PK and Ohio State was able to regain their transition play when back at even strength.
The other side of the penalty balance was also a bit off for the Scarlet and Gray. The Buckeye powerplay just couldn’t quite click tonight. Timing was a bit off for the duration of the match and the home team didn’t generate many scoring chances on their man advantage. One of the few powerplay positives was Taylor Kuehl’s impressive passing and puck control (potentially an area for OSU to build on).
When at their best, Ohio State was effective at neutralizing New Hampshire’s zone exits and making quick turnarounds from defensive zone stands. The Buckeyes kept pressure at the blueline, leading to Wildcat outlets landing on the sticks of OSU players and direction turned back in favor of the Buckeyes.
Ohio State did improve as the game progressed, particularly in an impressive 3rd period. Shots were slightly in favor of the visitors until this final frame when a more convincing offensive zone presence developed for OSU. The defensive highlight of the game was a late 3rd period penalty kill for the Buckeyes. This shorthanded effort ended up with the puck in the New Hampshire zone more often than not. After a brief scuffle in the final minute (and matching roughing minors), the game ended and the home team skated away victorious.
The second game between New Hampshire and Ohio State starts Saturday afternoon at 2:07 pm. As with all games at the OSU Ice Rink, admission is free.
BS Hockey’s Three Stars
1st Star – Kassidy Sauve (OSU) // A 24 save shutout in her first college game. Sauve was most impressive during the PK as the shorthanded Buckeyes struggled to defer the New Hampshire attack until late. The freshman kept her team afloat through the early going.
2nd Star – Kendall Curtis (OSU) // The opportunistic speed of Curtis generated 3 scoring chances during the 1st and 2nd periods, including a great rebound opportunity that Claudia Kepler turned into the game winning tally.
3rd Star – Vilma Vaattovaara (UNH) // New Hampshire’s goalie kept her team in the game all night, leaving the Wildcats only a bounce away from a tie score.
10/3/14 Scoring Chances
Team scoring chances by period, listed as (even strength / powerplay). Tracked real-time at the game, using the general scoring chance area described at Defending Big D.
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNH | 2 / 3 | 3 / 1 | 3 / 1 | 8 / 5 |
| OSU | 4 / 1 | 5 / 0 | 4 / 1 | 13 / 2 |
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