#3 Gophers earn split with top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – With top-ranked Ohio State coming to town, everyone knew we were going to learn a lot about this Gopher team this weekend.
“When you play against teams like this, especially early in the year, I think you learn a lot from just a compete standpoint and an effort standpoint,” Head Coach Greg “Boom” May told reporters on Wednesday.
On Friday night, the Gophers jumped all over the #1-ranked Buckeyes early, and cruised to a 6-2 win. Ohio State flipped the script on Saturday. This time it was the Buckeyes who got out to an early lead. The Gophers fought back, but Ohio State held on for a 6-5 win.
We learned plenty about this Gopher team this weekend, much of it positive. Here are three things that stood out to me from the weekend’s action.
Gophers show an ability to fight back:
In both games this weekend, when Ohio State pushed, the Gophers answered back. On Friday night, a five-minute major in the second period against the Gophers gave Ohio State life. The Buckeyes got one goal on the power play and added a second goal late in the period to cut the Gopher lead to 4-2.
“They scored that late goal [in the second period] and actually, one of our captains, Ava Lindsay, right in front of me, I just happened to hear her voice say, ‘We’re good, we’re good,’ like we got this,” May told reporters after Friday night’s win. “There’s literally no panic from them.”
Lindsay was right. Minnesota survived Ohio State’s early push in the third period. Later, the Gophers added two insurance goals to take game one 6-2.
After Friday night’s defeat, it was no surprise that the Buckeyes started fast on Saturday. Ohio State led 2-0 after one period and added a third goal less than a minute into the second period.
“They’re a proud group,” May said of Ohio State after Saturday’s game. “The number one team in the country; they’re going to do everything they can to make sure they don’t get swept, and I think you saw that today with the jump they had right out of the gates. But I was very proud of our resiliency and our willingness to compete in particular.”
The Gophers would fight back, tying the game twice in the second period. Early in the third period, Sarah Paul scored her second goal of the game to give the Gophers the lead, but it wasn’t to be. The Buckeyes proved why they are the top team in the country; they scored two quick goals midway through the third to win game two 6-5.
Though Minnesota wasn’t able to hold on on Saturday, the resilience they displayed this weekend will serve them well in the future.
Gophers’ depth a difference maker:
Against the nation’s best, Minnesota proved their depth is an advantage. Across the weekend, 15 different Gophers scored a point. All four forward lines scored at least one goal, and five of the six defenders registered at least a point in the series.
Beyond the scoring, all four lines and six defenders played big minutes down the stretch in both games.
“Our depth is incredible right now,” May said after Friday night’s win. “I mean, there are times during the game where I don’t even know which line is out there, honestly. It’s a really nice feeling to have as a coach…That’s not a slight; we have plenty of high-end talent as well. But it’s just much more of a committee this year.”
On Saturday afternoon, it was Minnesota’s fourth line that kickstarted their comeback. With the Gophers down three early in the second period, Maddie McCullough got Minnesota on the board. Five minutes later, Avery Hovland found some open space in front of the Ohio State net and buried her first goal of the season.
In five minutes, Minnesota’s fourth line had pulled them within one goal and completely shifted the momentum inside Ridder Arena.
The freshman class is ready for prime time:
For those who were wondering if 17-year-old Adrianna Milani would be able to be an impact player against the nation’s best this season, wonder no more. Milani got things going early on Friday night for the Gophers, scoring just 14 seconds into the game. Milani added another power-play goal in the second period. She finished Friday night’s game with two goals and four points.
On Saturday, it was Maddie McCullough’s turn to step up. Down three, McCullough drove wide and buried a short side shot to start the Gophers’ comeback.
McCullough was noticeable all weekend; she blocked three shots on Saturday afternoon, killed penalties, and scored her third goal of the season. The freshman forward finished the weekend with a plus-one rating.
“I love that they stood in there and competed,” May said of the freshman after Saturday’s game. “That’s a big environment early on in their freshman year. Milani scored two goals yesterday, McCullough got a big goal today, and Sloane Hartmetz is playing monster minutes for us, killing penalties and just playing a lot in general.”
Hartmetz’s weekend may not have been as flashy as McCullough’s or Milani’s, but she was incredibly effective. Listed at just five foot three, Hartmetz appeared unaffected by the increased physicality of Ohio State. Hartmetz displayed the same calmness and patience with the puck she’s shown all season. She finished the weekend with one assist and a plus-two rating across the two games.
The Gophers will take on the Lindenwood Lions this Thursday and Friday at Ridder Arena. Thursday night’s game is at 6:00 PM, and Friday’s game is at 3:00 PM.