Minnesota-Duluth Sweeps Ohio State Signalling a Changing of the Guard

Many had the reigning NCAA champion Ohio State Buckeyes favored to challenge for a WCHA and national title again this year, but if the opening weekend of the NCAA schedule is any indication, they'll be facing tougher competition from many programs.

The Hockey News had Ohio State ranked third behind Wisconsin and Minnesota, but that is all about to change after they were swept this weekend by the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Rookie Caitlin Kraemer scored twice in the third period, both unassisted, and added an assist to lead the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs to a 4-3 win over Ohio State Sunday.

Clara Van Wieren and Jenna Lawry had UMD's other goals. Emma Peschel, Kiara Zanon, and Jocelyn Amos scored for Ohio State, but it wasn't enough.

For the second straight game, Eve Gascon frustrated the Buckeyes making 36 saves in the win.

The day prior Gascon turned aside 38 shots in a 2-1 Minnesota-Duluth win over Ohio State. Tied 1-1 late in the third period Ida Karlsson scored with only 23 seconds remaining to give the Bulldogs the win.

"I am so proud of our team," said Minnesota-Duluth head coach Laura Schuler following the opening game. "Ève was absolutely outstanding between the pipes for us. I really liked our second period, thought we had a tremendous push there and got a goal at the end that gave us a ton of confidence going into the third. Overall, there are definitely parts of our game that we have to continue to work at to get better, but I really did like how we played in our defensive zone, our layers were good and again, Ève was absolutely amazing."

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