MINNEAPOLIS-The Golden Gophers scored twice in the final 10 minutes, rallying from a one-goal deficit to secure a 2-1 win over visiting Ohio State in front of 2,374 fans at Ridder Arena Friday night.
Caitlin Reilly scored the game-tying goal with 9:17 remaining before Kelly Pannek netted the game-winner with 3:37 on the clock as Minnesota snapped a two-game losing skid in its first game on its home ice since Nov. 27.
"We're super proud of our team here tonight," head coach Brad Frost said. "I thought the passion level, the compete, the things that we're looking for, and our team is known for, they did for 60 minutes. After 40 minutes, we were down one, and I just wanted our players to keep playing the way that they were and have faith and maybe a puck would go in."
Sophomore Emma May recorded seven saves on eight shots on goal in her first career start and first career win in net for Minnesota. Ohio State's Kassidy Sauve made 31 saves as Minnesota outshot the Buckeyes, 33-8.
"Emma May with her first career win as a Gopher, she did everything that we needed her to do," Frost said. "Just overall I'm really proud of our team's effort here tonight. It's a great win against a very good team."
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"We were really proud of her," Reilly said of May's performance. "She deserves it. Since we've been back from winter break, she's been doing awesome in practice. We did everything we could to make sure we played well in the d-zone, and she did awesome tonight. It was fun to see that."
The teams played a scoreless first period, but neither team was without chances. Nicole Schammel had an opportunity on a breakaway with eight minutes remaining in the opening frame, but Sauve made a pad save to keep the game tied at 0-0.
The Buckeyes took a 1-0 lead on a goal from Julianna Iafallo assisted by Maddy Field at the 4:48 mark of the second period. The Gophers' one-goal deficit marked the 12th time this season Minnesota has surrendered the first goal of the game, and the Maroon & Gold headed into the third period down by one.
"The first 40 minutes we weren't unhappy with our effort, it was, I thought, outstanding honestly," Reilly said. "We knew we had to step it up a little bit more. Everyone tonight gave it their all, starting from the goaltending, to defense, all the way to forward. You get one bounce in and it gives you the momentum, and it kind-of goes from there."
Reilly's fourth goal of the season was the momentum-shifting bounce the Gophers needed as Minnesota's home crowd erupted when the junior winger found the back of the net. Sydney Baldwin and Taylor Williamson picked up assists on the play as the Gophers tied the game at 1-1.
Pannek then netted her 14th goal of the season, and fourth game-winner, with less than four minutes remaining with assists credited to Sarah Potomak and Patti Marshall to secure the win over the Buckeyes under the direction of University of Minnesota alum and former Gophers assistant coach Nadine Muzerall.
Both teams were scoreless on the power play with Minnesota going 0-for-3 while holding OSU to 0-for-2.
The Gophers and Buckeyes wrap up this weekend's WCHA series at 2:07 p.m. CT Saturday afternoon at Ridder Arena. Minnesota is set to host its annual Skate with the Gophers event following the game.
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-- GopherSports.com
