Kendra Antony notched the equalizer with 47 seconds remaining as Wisconsin rallied from a 3-1 deficit for a 3-3 tie with Ohio State in WCHA action Saturday at the OSU Ice Arena.
Antony finished with a goal and two assists, while Meghan Hunter scored twice and set up the game-tying goal.
“Hunter and Antony provided us with finishing touches when we needed them,” said coach Trina Bourget. “They had great goals. Our defense pinched and gave them chances to finish.”
The Buckeyes got on the board first on an unassisted power-play goal by Lindsey Steblen. The forward won the puck in the corner and skated out front, untouched, before hitting the far side at 11:43 of the first period.
Wisconsin answered before the period expired as Hunter scored on the power play. Kerry Weiland poked the puck away from an OSU defender, keeping the puck in the offensive zone. Hunter picked up the puck and found Antony in the corner, who gave a return pass to the cutting center for the goal at 16:13.
In the second period, OSU regained the lead with its second power-play tally. Melissa Pirie won a loose puck in the high slot, pushing it low to Corinne Rosen. Rosen beat UW goaltender Jackie MacMillan just 1:43 into the second period.
Ohio State then went up 3-1 when defenseman Kelli Halcisak joined the play for an OSU two-on-one at 3:16. Halcisak scored after taking a pass from Lindsey Ogren, who went wide down the left boards.
Hunter and the Badgers closed the gap to within one at 13:22 of the second. Sis Paulsen came off the bench to keep in an Ohio State clearing attempt, spun back towards the boards and sent the puck deep for a waiting Antony in the corner. Antony found Hunter cutting in the slot and hit the frosh in stride. Hunter finished for her second of the night and 15th of the season.
The teams skated to a scoreless third until the final minute, when the Badgers pulled MacMillan with 50 seconds left. Antony took a pass from Hunter in the high slot and beat OSU goalie April Stojak up high for the tying score. Karen Rickard was also credited with an assist.
“In the third period we played with much more intensity and desperation. We were fortunate to be able to come back and leave here with a point,” Bourget said. “We were able to rise to the challenge and battle back. The third line with Melanie Schmitt, Steph Boeckmann and Julia Ortenzio did a great job on the forecheck.”
MacMillan stopped 15 OSU shots in earning her first tie of the year. Stojak made 22 saves to help the Buckeyes move to 3-5-1, 2-3-1.
