Ohio State senior defender Grant Gabriele (61) removes an ice chip during the Ohio State-Wisconsin game on Dec. 4. Ohio State lost the match 1-3. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor
Even though a promising series split against Michigan’s No. 9 the previous week, the Buckeyes couldn’t build any momentum on their trip to Wisconsin.
The State of Ohio (6-17-1) lost both of its weekend draws to No. 5 Wisconsin (17-8-1). Falling only in a 2-1 overtime defeat on Friday, the Buckeyes were beaten Saturday in a 7-0 Match lopsided state.
Game 1
In Friday’s first game of the series, the Badgers drew their first blood from a power-play goal from second-year striker Dylan Holloway in the opening five minutes of the opening period.
The Buckeyes tied the knot in the following period with a goal from junior striker Gustaf Westlund’s stick, his fifth of the season.
Holloway will win the game for the Badgers in extra time with a one-timer textbook from the right circle.
In keeping with the Ohio State season motive, the Buckeyes were once again beaten by their opponents, 38-31. In addition, the Buckeyes collected a number of penalties which totaled nearly 30 minutes in the box.
Game 2
Although the first game of the series took additional time to decide, the second half of the series was predetermined long before the horn of the third period.
Wisconsin raced past Ohio State on Saturday 7-0. The Badgers scored at least one goal in each period of play, scoring three goals in the second and third periods.
Sophomore striker Cole Caufield recorded a hat trick for the Badgers.
The State of Ohio fixed its penalty problem from the night before, and even killed off a big power game, but that wasn’t enough to stop a scorching Wisconsin offense.
Reflecting on the night before, Ohio State was beaten by the Badgers, with Wisconsin more than doubling the Buckeye’s number of shots. The final shot tally sits at 43-21 in favor of the Badgers.
This game ended the season series between Ohio State and Wisconsin, with the Badgers finishing in front, 3-1.
The State of Ohio will return to Columbus this week and seek to defend their ice home against the Arizona State Sun Demon in a two-night series. The first match starts Thursday at 17.30 on BTN +. These will be the last two games of the regular season for the Buckeyes.