The Gophers scored from all three avenues on Saturday afternoon, with five even strength, four power play goals and a show stopping short hander in a 10-0 victory over Ohio State. The top line of Krissy Wendell, Natalie Darwitz and Kelly Stephens wowed the crowd of 1,556 at Ridder Arena with 15 total points.
“We want to stay focused on playing sixty minutes of hockey and stick to our game plan throughout the game no matter what the score is,” said Minnesota coach Laura Halldorson.
Not having trailed this year, the Gophers seem to be keeping to their coach’s plan.
The Gophers (8-0-0, 8-0-0 WCHA) got started right away with puck control, passing, and the first goal by Nichols at 3:44 in the period. Power play goals by Stephens and Wendell, plus an even-strength goal by Stephens made the score 4-0 at the intermission..
It wasn’t all Minnesota in the first. The Buckeyes got great shots on goal during a 5-on-3 power play and at even strength, tallying seven first period shots. The OSU defense played hard, staying with the Gophers and blocking shots. It was mental mistakes and seven penalties that would take its toll on this young defensive team.
Trailing in the second period, Ohio State (5-3-0, 5-3-0 WCHA) got a break early with a power play. But then Krissy Wendell knocked down a pass and bent one defenseman for a short handed goal that raised the fans to their feet. She tied a Gopher school record set in the 1999-2000 season of 14 short-handed goals. Minnesota ended the period with a 9-0 lead.
The third period wasn’t much different than the second period. The Gophers maintained puck control and kept outworking the Buckeyes. One last tally, a hat trick clincher by Wendell, made for a 10-0 final and a second straight shutout for Horak.
“It builds confidence and it’s a good feeling seeing the zero on the board,” Horak said. “Our defense has played very well in front of me, allowing few shots to get through.”
Ohio State’s top scorers, forwards Jana Harrigan and Jeni Creary, were kept off the board and limited to five shots. The defeat gave goalie Erica Vanderveer (4-1-0) her first loss of the season.
The Buckeyes will look to regroup and put in a better offensive effort for Sunday afternoon’s game, a 1:05 start at Ridder Arena.
