University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Hit the Road for OSU Series
11/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
| No. 2 Minnesota (7-1-2) at Ohio State (7-4-0) | |
| Game 1 | Friday, Nov. 14 | 5 p.m. CT |
| Game 2 | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 1 p.m. CT |
| Location | OSU Ice Rink | Columbus, Ohio |
| Game 1 | Game Day Live | Buckeye Vision ($) | Free Audio | |
| Game 2 | Game Day Live | Buckeye Vision ($) | Free Audio | |
| Official Sites | Minnesota | Ohio State |
| Social Media | @GopherWHockey | Facebook | Instagram |
Nov. 12, 2014
MINNEAPOLIS - The No. 2 Minnesota women's hockey team (7-1-2, 5-1-2-0 WCHA) returns to action this week, traveling to Columbus, Ohio, to face Ohio State (7-4-0, 5-3-0-0 WCHA) at 5 p.m. CT Friday and 1 p.m. CT Saturday.
Both of this weekend's games will be streamed online through Buckeye Vision (subscription required) with free audio and live stats at GopherSports.com.
The Gophers look to bounce back this weekend after going 0-1-1 against Bemidji State in their last outing. Minnesota and BSU tied 2-2 in overtime Oct. 31, and the Beavers earned an extra WCHA point with a 2-1 shootout win. The Gophers then fell 1-0 on Nov. 1.
About the Series: Minnesota vs. Ohio State
Minnesota is 58-8-2 all-time against Ohio State, including a 3-0-1 mark against the Buckeyes last season. Most recently, the Gophers and Buckeyes tied 2-2 in overtime on Jan. 11, 2014; OSU took an extra point in the league standings by winning a nine-round shootout, 1-0.
Scouting the Opponent: Ohio State
Under the direction of fourth-year head coach Nate Handrahan, Ohio State (7-4-0, 5-3-0-0 WCHA) has won five of its last seven games. Most recently, the Buckeyes fell to Mercyhurst, 3-0, on Tuesday night but had won its previous three-straight games. OSU has two non-conference wins over New Hampshire along with sweeps over Bemidji State and Minnesota State and a series split with St. Cloud State to make up its seven wins so far this season. OSU is 5-2-0 at home this season.
Ohio State is led in scoring by junior forward Julia McKinnon and senior defenseman Sara Schmitt with six points each. McKinnon has posted five goals and one assist, while Schmitt has totaled two goals and four assists. Nineteen different Buckeyes have contributed one or more points this season.
Freshman goaltender Kassidy Sauve has played 10 games in net for the Scarlet and Gray. A native of Whitby, Ontario, Sauve has accumulated three shutouts this season, which ranks third in the nation. Among WCHA goaltenders, Sauve ranks seventh with both a 1.87 goals against average and a .921 save percentage. She has already picked up two WCHA Rookie of the Week awards.
Ohio State averages 1.91 goals per game while also allowing an average of 1.91 goals per game. OSU has yet to find its scoring touch on the power play with just two power-play goals in 51 attempts. The Buckeyes are 29-for-35 on the penalty kill at 82.9 percent to rank sixth in the WCHA.
Gopher Quick Hits
• Dani Cameranesi tied for the scoring lead at the Four Nations Cup with four points (2g-2a) in four games.
• Kelly Pannek scored her first collegiate goal on Oct. 31.
• Milica McMillen leads the NCAA with five power-play goals this season.
Six Gophers Compete at Four Nations Cup
Six current and former Gophers competed in the 2014 Four Nations Cup at Interior Savings Centre in Kamloops, British Columbia last week. Minnesota had representatives on three of the four teams participating in the tournament as current Gophers Hannah Brandt (2a), Dani Cameranesi (2g-2a) and Lee Stecklein (1a) joined alum Megan Bozek in taking home silver with the U.S. Women's National Team. Fellow alumni Kelly Terry played in all four games and earned gold with Canada, and Mira Jalosuo played in three games for Finland. Cameranesi finished the tournament tied for the scoring lead with four points in four games.
Home, Sweet Home
The Gophers are 48-2-2 in their last 52 home games, dating back to Feb. 18, 2012. This season, Minnesota ranks second in the nation in home attendance, averaging 1,846 fans per game in six home games.
Gophers Shut Out For First Time Since Dec. 2011
Prior to Minnesota's 1-0 loss to Bemidji State on Nov. 1, the Gophers had not been shut out since a 3-0 loss at North Dakota on Dec. 3, 2011. The Gophers scored at least one goal in 114-straight games. Minnesota currently owns the nation's fifth-ranked offense, averaging 3.70 goals per game. The Gophers led the nation with 5.27 goals per game in 2012-13 and again topped the NCAA with 4.76 goals per game in 2013-14.
Offensive Defense
The Gophers' defensemen lead the WCHA blue-liners in scoring, averaging 3.20 points per game. McMillen (6g-3a) is tied for seventh in the nation and tied for the WCHA lead among defensemen with nine points on the year. Fellow Gopher blue-liners Rachel Ramsey (1g-6a) and Lee Stecklein (7a) are among the WCHA's top five defensive scorers as well.
Spreading the Wealth
Sixteen of Minnesota's 18 skaters already have registered at least one point this season, including three of the Gophers' four rookies. Freshmen Cara Piazza (3g), Nina Rodgers (1a) and Kelly Pannek (1g-5a) have all recorded their first collegiate points. Ten different Gophers have scored at least one goal, led by Brandt (9g) and Cameranesi (9g).
Hannah Brandt (9g-9a) and Dani Cameranesi (9g-6a) rank among the nation's top seven scorers and lead the WCHA with 2.00 points per game and 1.67 points per game, respectively. Their nine goals apiece are tied for the national lead.
With 37 goals in 10 games, the Gophers' offense leads the WCHA and ranks fifth in the nation, averaging 3.70 goals per game. Minnesota's 1.20 goals against average leads the WCHA and ranks second in the NCAA.
Leveille Leads WCHA Goaltenders
Goaltender Amanda Leveille leads the WCHA with a .950 save percentage and a 1.23 goals against average. Her .812 winning percentage (6-1-1) also leads the league.
Special Teams Off to a Strong Start
The Gophers have the nation's third-ranked power-play unit, converting on 14-of-39 opportunities for a .359 percentage. Milica McMillen leads the NCAA with five power-play goals this season. At 36-for-39, Minnesota ranks second in the WCHA and fifth in the nation with a .923 penalty kill percentage.
Senior Class Boasts Impressive Winning Percentage
Minnesota's senior class of Rachael Bona, Meghan Lorence, Rachel Ramsey, Shyler Sletta owns a 120-8-5 overall record for a .921 winning percentage during their time in Maroon & Gold, including a 7-1-2 mark this season.
Winning Ways
Minnesota is 102-4-4 in the team's last 110 games, a stretch that included an NCAA-record 62-game winning streak (Feb. 28, 2012 through Nov. 17, 2013).
Up Next: Gophers, Mavericks to Meet in Home-and-Home Series
Minnesota and Minnesota State will face off in a home-and-home series next weekend. Friday's game at All Seasons Arena in Mankato, Minn., is set for 7 p.m., before the teams face off at Ridder Arena at 4 p.m. CT Saturday.
###
