The No. 4-ranked Gophers women's hockey team lost 4-2 to No. 3 Ohio State on Friday night at Ridder Arena in the season opener for the program's 25th season.
Gophers women's hockey loses 4-2 to Ohio State in season opener
The Gophers began their 25th season with a home defeat.
By news services
October 2, 2021 at 6:12AM
Trailing by two goals, Minnesota pulled goalie Lauren Bench with about 2½ minutes left, and the strategy worked — briefly — when Taylor Heise scored from behind the net with 2:09 left.
About a minute later, Paetyn Levis' empty-net goal restored the Buckeyes' two-goal margin. Levis is a senior forward from Rogers and one of seven Minnesotans on the Ohio State roster.
"The first period, in particular, we played extremely well, we came out flying," Gophers coach Brad Frost said. "Unfortunately, four penalties gassed some of our players.
"… We had our opportunities, we had out chances, unfortunately we did not get the bounces tonight. A good learning experience in Game 1."
Clair DeGeorge scored two goals — one on a power play in the opening period — and also had an assist on Levis' goal for the Buckeyes, who swept St. Thomas last weekend in Columbus.
Forward Peyton Hemp, a freshman from Andover, gave Minnesota a 1-0 lead just over 5½ minutes into the game. Heise's pass set up Hemp in the right circle.
DeGeorge answered for OSU at 13:08 on a 2-on-1 rush. Jenna Buglioni put the Buckeyes ahead 2-1 at 7:57 of the second period. DeGeorge got her second goal four minutes later to make it 3-1.
Bench had 20 saves. Braendli stopped 34 shots for the Buckeyes.
The last time the teams met, Ohio State swept then-No. 2 Minnesota 2-1 and 3-2 on Feb. 12-13 at Ridder.
about the writer
news services
The Gophers are still in the 18-team Big Ten’s top half -- for now, at least -- and Nebraska hopes to keep climbing.
