Gopher Women Beat Buckeyes to Open WCHA Tournament

MINNEAPOLIS (Gophersports.com)  – The No. 2 Golden Gophers rallied with three third-period goals to break a 2-2 tie and secure a 5-2 win over Ohio State in game one of the WCHA First Round best-of-three series at Ridder Arena Friday night.

Minnesota (30-3-1, 24-3-1-0 WCHA) took a 2-1 lead into the third period, but Ohio State used a goal by Claudia Kepler to tie the game at 2-2 just 2:23 into the period. Kelly Pannek scored the eventual game-winner for the Gophers just 1:06 later, and Kate Schipper scored with 7:00 remaining before Amanda Kessel tallied an empty-net goal with six seconds to play.

Kessel scored two goals in the win, and Hannah Brandt led all players with three points on three assists. Cameranesi also recorded two points with a goal and an assist.
Ohio State (10-24-1, 6-21-1-1 WCHA) received 39 saves from goaltender Alex LaMere as the Gophers outshot the Buckeyes, 44-23. Amanda Leveille finished with 21 saves for Minnesota.

In other WCHA First Round action, Minnesota Duluth defeated Bemidji State, 5-1; North Dakota knocked off St. Cloud State, 6-1; and Wisconsin topped Minnesota State, 4-0.
The Gophers and Buckeyes meet in game two of the best-of-three series at 4:07 p.m. CT Saturday afternoon at Ridder Arena.