University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
29-0-0, 23-0-0
Ohio State
16-11-2, 11-10-2
Co-Captains Conduct Gophers to 5-2 Victory
2/8/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
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Feb. 8, 2013
Co-captains Megan Bozek and Bethany Brausen conducted the University of Minnesota women's hockey team to a 5-2 win over Ohio State on Friday night. Both recorded two points on the night with Bozek having a goal and an assist, while Brausen tallied a career-high two goals.
After taking a 2-0 lead early in the second period, the Buckeyes (16-11-2, 11-10-2 WCHA) stormed back to even the game midway through the second. The Gophers (29-0-0, 21-0-0 WCHA) netted a goal before the period ended to take a one-goal lead into the intermission.
In the third, it was all Minnesota as Rachael Bona scored a goal off a Bozek rebound at 6:45. Brausen then put the game out of reach with 52.5 seconds remaining in the game as she batted the puck into the back of the net to provide the final score of 5-2.
Brausen bookended the Gophers' scoring as she got the team on the board just 2:04 into the first period. The junior forward was screening in front of the net when Mira Jalosuo blasted a shot from the blueline. As the puck approached the net, Brausen got her stick on it to redirect it through the five hole of the OSU goaltender, Chelsea Knapp.
In spite of the Buckeyes garnering a late power-play opportunity in the period, the Maroon & Gold continued to control the puck most of the period and outshoot OSU, 13-6.
Minnesota got caught with another penalty early in the second period, but the team buckled down on defense and generated their nation-leading 12th shorthanded goal of the season.
Junior Amanda Kessel corralled a pass in the Gopher defensive zone and found Sarah Davis streaking to the neutral zone. Davis carried the puck down the left slot before hitting Bozek at the post to make the score 2-1.
With momentum going their way, it looked as if Minnesota was going to skate away with the game, but Ohio State answered minutes later with a pair of goals at 7:49 and 10:07. Danielle Gagne netted the first on a power play, while Hockey Langan scored when the teams were at even strength.
The Maroon & Gold reclaimed the lead on a power play of their own at 14:37 when Kessel rebounded a Rachel Ramsey shot on the backside and went top shelf to take a 3-2 lead.
Noora Raty deflected 18 shots to garner her 27th win of the season and the 103rd of her career.
The two WCHA foes faceoff again tomorrow at noon CT. The Gophers look to win their 30th game of the season and improve their NCAA record winning streak to 38 games.
