No matter who No. 1 Minnesota plays high in its umbrella power play, it still looks pretty good.
Although sophomore Ashley Albrecht is now the third Gopher defensemen to fill that position, Minnesota’s top-ranked power play has shown no signs of missing a beat.
The Gophers (27-4-2) had two five-on-three goals, including one in the first five minutes as they rolled to a 5-1 victory over Ohio State (16-15-3) on Saturday. This one was never in much doubt for the 1,262 in attendance, most of whom departed before the end.
Minnesota’s third line earned a goal from Noelle Sutton and the U.S. national team trio of Natalie Darwitz, Krissy Wendell and Kelly Stephens produced four goals, three of them assisted by Albrecht.
“Three assists, that’s not bad,” Halldorson said. “We had two 5-on-3s, scored on both of them. Our power play has been important for us all year. It’s great to see these guys out here being creative and scoring goals.”
Albrecht had filled in briefly on the power play before due to other players’ illnesses, but never played regularly there until the past couple weeks. She had big shoes to fill, replacing Danielle Ashley and Lyndsay Wall, who won’t play for the rest of the season.
But in terms of the complicated roles hockey players take on a given day, this one isn’t too tough. Having three U.S. national teamers up top made the experience easier, of course.
“Moving the puck, that’s the biggest key,” Albrecht said of Saturday’s 5-on-3 success. “If you fumble, you’re in trouble. But we were open, we talked and it worked. It’s simple.”
The 5-on-3 just 3:41 into the game is exactly how Ohio State did not want to start.
“We thought our best penalty kill would be not talking penalties,” said Buckeye coach Jackie Barto. “We hurt ourselves in that situation.”
Barto felt the game might have been much closer had one of her players stayed out of the crease a few minutes after the first Minnesota goal. Buckeyes sniper Jeni Creary beat the Minnesota defense wide and put the puck past Jody Horak, but the goal was disallowed.
“I think that changes the perspective of the game and gives us energy,” Barto said. “Instead we didn’t have anything to build off of.”
Ohio State captain Erin O’Grady said the bench got quiet when her team fell behind 2-0 in the first period, and she tried to keep the conversation going. The best way for the Buckeyes to regain their spirits will be a good showing in Sunday’s third-place game.
“I think if we can pull off a win tomorrow it’ll be a big highlight,” O’Grady said.
Minnesota has greater goals ahead. Sunday will be its third WCHA final against UMD in five years and fifth meeting this season. UMD won both the two previous WCHA final meetings, but the Gophers have won three of four head-to-head battles this year, including the last two at Ridder just two weeks ago.
The most recent meeting was a wild 7-5 win for the Gophers, which Darwitz felt had everything a hockey game could possibly have — penalties, lots of scoring, lots of defensive zone, and terrific saves.
“There’s nothing more I want tomorrow than winning this tournament and then moving on to the Frozen Four,” Darwitz said. “It’s going to be a battle and it’s going be a great game.”
Halldorson thought UMD looked good in its win over Wisconsin, but she thought her team looked pretty good too.
She said Horak, who has played well the past couple weeks, would be a certain starter for the championship game.
As for Albrecht, she knows she’ll have to move the puck a little faster, because UMD’s penalty kill isn’t nearly as passive as Ohio State’s.
With St. Lawrence losing to Colgate by 1-0 margin, it added new weight to the Bulldogs’ Frozen Four hopes, assuming a WCHA championship. Both UMD coach Shannon Miller and Barto are on the committee, but they won’t be talking much about the NCAAs until later.
“I think the focus for both teams [UMD and Minnesota] should be winning the WCHA championship,” Barto said. “There’s still a lot of hockey out East to be played. I don’t think one game makes or breaks your opportunity to go the NCAA championship.”
