Weekend Recap: October 3-4

Women sweep New Hampshire, Men dominate Guelph in exhibition

In what was a very exciting and successful weekend for Ohio State hockey, both teams went a combined 3-0, as the women's team swept New Hampshire in their season opener and the men's team defeated Guelph 7-1 on Saturday.

Claudia Kepler and Kassidy Sauve took center stage as each played a vital role in the women's sweep over the Wildcats (0-3, 0-1 Hockey East).

In game one, Sauve accumulated 24 saves to earn a shutout in her first start as a Buckeye and Kepler scored the game's only goal in the second period as the Buckeyes (2-0) claimed their first victory by a 1-0 final score.

The following afternoon, OSU got out to a roaring start. The Scarlet and Gray had goals from Danielle Gagne, Kayla Sullivan, and Alexa Ranahan as they took a 3-0 lead into the second intermission.

However, the Wildcats weren't about to head back to Durham without a fight.

Hockey East All-Rookie Team member Cassandra Vilgrain put New Hampshire on the board midway through the second period. Jonna Curtis tallied a short-handed goal with 4:11 left in the period. Amy Boucher completed the comeback 7:10 into the final frame and the score was knotted up at three.

OSU wouldn't be denied the sweep, as Friday's only goal scorer, Claudia Kepler, scored with 32 seconds left, sealing the victory for the Buckeyes.

Sauve earned her second win as she saved 22 shots. On the other end, Vilma Vaattovaara made 26 saves on 29 shots.

The ladies will travel to Madison, Wis. next weekend to begin conference play against the No. 2 ranked Badgers. It's a Friday/Sunday affair as Friday's puck drop is scheduled for 8:07 p.m. and Sunday's is set for 2:07 p.m.

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As the women's game ended in a thrilling fashion Saturday, Steve Rohlik and his crew were busy dismantling the Guelph Gryphons during their exhibition contest.

Every member of the Scarlet and Gray dressed, helping Rohlik and his staff to finalize who would play next weekend against one of the nation's best teams in Providence.

Seven different players scored in the 7-1 route at Value City Arena.

Senior captain Tanner Fritz scored halfway through the first and the score was 1-0 after 20 minutes of action.

The onslaught began in the second, as Luke Stork, Drew Brevig, Chad Niddery, and Tyler Lundey all put biscuits in the basket, and OSU carried a 5-1 lead into the third.

Junior Anthony Greco scored just 29 seconds into the final frame and sophomore Nick Schilkey put the final nail in the coffin with 7:18 left in the game.

Fritz led all scorers with a goal and three assists, Drew Brevig had two assists to compliment his goal, Schilkey had an assist, and freshman Matt Weis had two assists on the afternoon.

Matt Tomkins got the start in net for the Buckeyes. He played 30:17 and stopped all 13 pucks fired at him. Christian Frey played the remaining time and made six saves on seven shots.

You can read the box score from the game here.

OSU begins their season against No. 3 ranked Providence on Friday at 7 p.m. on the corner of West Lane Ave. and Olentangy River Rd.