1/30/2007

'06 - '07 Mid Season Report

Columbus, OH – The Ohio State University women’s ice hockey club program enters the home stretch of the ’06-’07 regular season riding positive momentum from 4 consecutive ACHA Division I wins, 3 by shutout, and a #11 ranking nationally.  Huge games with national tournament ramifications approach vs. traditional CCWHA foes Northern Michigan, Western Michigan, and the University of Michigan. 

Tough End to ‘06

After two exhibition games at the OSU Ice Rink vs. Notre Dame (non-ACHA) Ohio State took on mighty Michigan State University in what was to be the Buckeye’s last ’06 game.  The contest, played Saturday, December 2^nd at neutral site at Findlay University saw the perennial ACHA title contender Spartans dominate Ohio State in every phase of the game.  Michigan State, ranked 3^rd nationally at the time, completely out-skated the Buckeyes.  Michigan State’s dominance was particular apparent during special teams play as the Spartans recorded 2 power play goals and 2 short-handed goals.  Said Buckeye Head Coach Jeff Cunningham afterwards, “It was a disappointing game in every respect.  After having played MSU competitively only 6 weeks prior, you’d think we’d have had more to offer them.” 

The score hurt more than Ohio State’s pride as the lopsided loss caused their ACHA ranking to drop from #9 to #11.  The top 12 teams make it to the ACHA national tournament in March. 

Brighter Beginning to ‘07

With the loss to Michigan State a distant memory after winter break, Ohio State returned to Columbus a day early and started practice January 3^rd.  After 10 days of good work, the Buckeyes welcomed the first-year ACHA Division I program from Slippery Rock University for games on Saturday, January 13, and Sunday, January 14.  The rookies from The Rock took their lumps and were no match for the more experienced and skilled Buckeyes.  The weekend saw multiple Ohio State records established, including those for most goals scored, shots-on-net registered, most scoring opportunities, fewest shots allowed, and most lopsided wins.  Ohio State prevailed in each contest by scores of 19-0 and 20-0. 

Skinning the Wildcats

Following Slippery Rock, Ohio State returned to CCWHA league play by traveling this past weekend to Marquette, MI, to take on the Northern Michigan University Wildcats.  Northern Michigan, while experiencing a down season (0-15 in ACHA Div. I play), is a proud program with an aggressive schedule.  The ‘Cats have traditionally given Ohio State fits and this year held promise of the same.  On scouting the Wildcats, Coach Cunningham said the following, “I was very nervous heading up to the U.P. (upper peninsula of Michigan).  It’s a very long bus trip – very fatiguing – and NMU, while losing most of their meaningful games this year, have played very tough vs. the ACHA’s best.  They’ve nearly beaten both Western and Michigan and have played big games vs. the likes of Robert Morris College and some others.  We knew that they’d be pointing to their games vs. Ohio State as their best chance for regular season ACHA victories.” 

Ohio State proved the stronger squad though.  On Friday night the Buckeyes shutout Northern 5-0.  The victory marked sophomore goalie and ’05-’06 Team MVP Cammie Knutson’s third consecutive shutout victory.  MVP Knutson faced 19 shots, denying the Wildcat attackers every time.  Ohio State registered 36 shots on goal and a balanced scoring attack with goals from junior forward Emily Sayer, senior All-CCWHA forward Natalie Kalasky, freshman forward Brittany Parker, senior All-CCWHA defenseman Cathy Georgiadis, and sophomore forward and leading goal scorer (17G, 9A, 26PTS, 13 games) Hannah White.  Senior All-American forward and Assistant Captain Brittnee Barris added two assists.

Saturday brought forth an even more dominating performance from the Buckeyes.  The final was 6-1, but it wasn’t that close, as sophomore leading scorer Hannah White provided her second hat trick of the season and a personal-best, 4-goal performance.  All-American Barris turned in maybe her best 2-way performance of the year as she registered 5 points (1G, 4A, 5PTS) and played tenaciously in the defensive zone.  Barris assisted on all 4 of sophomore White’s goals.  Sophomore Captain Rachel Walters also helped along White as she assisted on 3 of her linemate’s 4 goals.  Junior goaltender Liz Gelber earned the win – her first ACHA win of the season after registering 4 in ’05-’06 - facing 23 shots.  In addition to the 6 goals, the Buckeyes totaled 47 shots on goal.

For the series, the Barris-Walters-White forward line produced 16 points (6G, 10A, 16PTS).  Junior forward Emily Sayer, returning to eligibility this January after sitting for 1-1/2 seasons due to academic concerns, has registered a goal in each of her first 4 ACHA games.  The weekend sweep represents Ohio State’s first-ever victories in Northern’s famed Berry Center. 

Current individual ACHA game stats are listed below.  Please note that complete goalie statistics are not yet published by the ACHA.

Regular Season

Current ACHA team stats are listed below

Upcoming Series

 With a #11 national ranking and the third ACHA ranking due to be released February 2^nd, Ohio State now controls its own destiny.  Aspirations for a national title berth can become a reality with wins in upcoming contests vs. Northern Michigan (Saturday, February 3, Sunday, February 4, at OSU Ice Rink) and Western Michigan (Saturday, February 10, Sunday, February 11, at OSU Ice Rink).  Ohio State closes out the ’06-’07 regular season with a trip to Ann Arbor to take on rival University of Michigan, game dates of February 16 and 17. 

The CCWHA league office recently released news that the CCWHA league tournament, slated for weekend of February 23 –25, will be held at Findlay University in Findlay, Ohio.  ACHA Nationals are scheduled for the weekend of March 8 –11 in Amherst, Massachusetts.