Eric Boggs
The Ohio State Women’s Ice Hockey team secured a resounding victory on home ice Saturday, trouncing Minnesota Duluth with an impressive 9-0 scoreline in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The win not only marked their 18th triumph on home turf this season, a program record, but also propelled them back into the Frozen Four, affirming their status as a force to be reckoned with in collegiate hockey.
From the opening moments of the game, it was clear that the Buckeyes meant business. Jocelyn Amos wasted no time, netting the game’s first goal just 22 seconds into the contest, setting the tone for what would be a dominant performance. Building on their early momentum, Ohio State continued to press forward, notching two more goals in the first period alone, leaving Minnesota Duluth struggling to keep pace.
The Buckeyes showed no signs of slowing down as they entered the second period, adding four more goals to their tally, effectively putting the game out of reach for their opponents. The final 20 minutes saw two more goals from the relentless Buckeyes, with Mobley Olivia and Bilka Hannah delivering standout performances, each contributing multiple goals to the team’s commanding victory.
Goalie Raygan Kirk showcased her prowess between the posts, making 16 saves to secure her ninth shutout of the season, further solidifying her reputation as a formidable presence in the net. Coach Nadine Muzerall commended her team’s cohesive effort, highlighting their effectiveness on both the penalty kill and power play, areas crucial for success as they advance towards the Frozen Four.
“It was a very impressive win, not just because of the score being 9-0, but how these young women played together. I was happy to see them kill the penalty kill, happy to see them score a couple on the power play, and those areas are areas where we are trying to focus that we know will be key as we approach the Frozen Four.”
Head Coach Nadine Muzerall
With their ticket punched for the Frozen Four, Ohio State sets its sights on Durham, New Hampshire, where they will make their sixth appearance in the prestigious tournament. Having reached the finals in the past two seasons, the Buckeyes are determined to clinch their second-ever National Championship, following their triumph in 2022.
Awaiting them in the semifinals is a formidable opponent in Clarkson, who boast an impressive record of 32-4-2 on the season. Puck drop is scheduled for 4 pm on Friday, with fans eagerly anticipating another thrilling showcase of collegiate hockey prowess. Should the Buckeyes emerge victorious, they will advance to the NCAA Championship game on Sunday, where they could potentially face off against familiar foes in Wisconsin or Colgate, in a bid for collegiate hockey glory.
