The Ohio State women’s ice hockey team will host the Bulldogs of Minnesota-Duluth this weekend, with a pair of games tonight and tomorrow at the OSU Ice Rink.
The Buckeyes (2-5-1, 2-3-1 WCHA) are coming off a disappointing weekend series against Bemidji State, which resulted in a 1-1 tie and a 4-2 loss.
The team looks to rebound in time to face the visiting No. 1 ranked Bulldogs (7-0-1, 3-0-1 WCHA).
“We’re excited about Duluth,” said OSU women’s ice hockey coach Jackie Barto. “We always play them well, and we have had good success against them in the past.”
The Buckeyes will have to be excited because the Bulldogs, the defending national champions, are off to another great start this year.
“I think we’re pretty prepared, it’s a big game going against Duluth,” said sophomore defender Jaclyn Haines. “I think we’ll come out and be aggressive and be in their face. It’ll be a tough game.”
Barto is hoping the team steps it up on the defensive end when it goes against the Bulldogs.
“We really have to play well on the defensive side of the puck this weekend,” Barto said. “We have got to stay aggressive, make things happen and capitalize on them when we do.”
Senior wing Lindsey Ogren agreeed this weekend is a turning point in the season.
“Coach made some changes to the lineup this week in practice,” Ogren said.
“We went into practice this week knowing we have to get it done against Duluth,” she said.
The Buckeyes gained experience early in the season when they took on another team from Minnesota – the No. 2 Golden Gophers. Barto hopes that experience will help the team when it faces Minnesota-Duluth.
“When you play the No. 1 team in the country,” Barto said, “you have got to be ready and up to the challenge, and I think we will be.”
The Bulldogs are coming off a dominating weekend performance over North Dakota, which netted them two wins and a combined 18 goals.
The Buckeyes and Bulldogs will take to the ice at 7:05 p.m. tonight and tomorrow at the OSU Ice Rink.
