With the season exactly 33 days away and several other threads already out here, I decided it was time for me to start the Ohio State Women's Hockey thread. I came up with my sub-title for this year based on the fact that the OSU Women's Ice Hockey program has not hosted a first-round playoff series since the 2006-07 season. I believe that to be an attainable goal with the current roster, and honestly, I think the coaching staff and players will have even bigger goals than that. There is nothing wrong with lofty goals, but when attempting to build a program, I think it is good to have reachable goals as well. My memorization skills will be tested this season as I counted nine new players whose names and numbers I will have to learn! Of those nine players, seven are freshmen and the other two are transfers. As most of you are probably aware of, one of those transfers is Charly Dahlquist from the UND program that was dropped after the previous season. As for the season outlook, I don't think it is hard to figure out why the Bucks believe they can take the next step this season as only three players were lost from last year's team ... two to graduation and defenseman Katie Mikkelsen transferred to University of Guelph. The Buckeyes will return a good chunk of their scoring as well as defensemen, not to mention All-American goaltender Kassidy Sauve. Fortunately for us Ohio State fans, we will not lose players to the Olympics, at least not this time. We did have a couple of departures in the coaching staff as Assistant Coach Jessica Koizumi left to take an Associate Head Coaching position with University of Vermont and Assistant Coach Karel Popper also left the program in the offseason. So far, Ohio State has hired former Gopher defenseman Milica McMillen as one assistant. I would think they need to add at least one more assistant, but I have not heard anything as of yet. It will be difficult to recruit with one head coach and one assistant, but I believe wholeheartedly that Coach Nadine has the program moving in the right direction and if she can continue that upward trajectory with just one assistant, more power to her! I think the Buckeyes have a great shot at accomplishing some things that have not been done in a while here and I cannot wait to get things started! The girls believe in themselves. I saw a group of them a few months back at an OSU Men's Lacrosse Game. One of the players said, "We're gonna be good." I totally agreed and said, "I know." The Buckeyes do not have any exhibition games scheduled this season and will open with RPI at home on 9/29 - 9/30. They will find out right away where they stand in the league as they will head to Minneapolis to take on perennial power Minnesota the next weekend on 10/6 - 10/7. Hope to see everyone at the OSU Ice Rink this season supporting women's hockey! For those who are not aware, admission and parking are free for OSU Women's Hockey games, other than one Saturday game where OSU Football is home. Admission to the game will still be free, but you will have to pay the $20 to park. I looked that up and that situation will occur on Saturday 11/11 when OSU Football is home vs Michigan State and the OSU Women are home vs Minnesota State. Thankfully, that is the only time this season when Football will be home the same Saturday as Women's Hockey.
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Ohio State Buckeyes 2017-2018 ... Home Playoffs This Season?
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Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2017-2018 ... Home Playoffs This Season?
Originally posted by osualum86 View PostOhio State Buckeyes 2017-18... Home Playoffs This Season?
... I came up with my sub-title for this year based on the fact that the OSU Women's Ice Hockey program has not hosted a first-round playoff series since the 2006-07 season.
I believe that to be an attainable goal with the current roster, and honestly, I think the coaching staff and players will have even bigger goals than that. There is nothing wrong with lofty goals, but when attempting to build a program, I think it is good to have reachable goals as well.
...As most of you are probably aware of, one of those transfers is Charly Dahlquist from the UND program that was dropped after the previous season.
As for the season outlook, I don't think it is hard to figure out why the Bucks believe they can take the next step this season as only three players were lost from last year's team ... two to graduation and defenseman Katie Mikkelsen transferred to University of Guelph. The Buckeyes will return a good chunk of their scoring as well as defensemen, not to mention All-American goaltender Kassidy Sauve. Fortunately for us Ohio State fans, we will not lose players to the Olympics, at least not this time.
We did have a couple of departures in the coaching staff as Assistant Coach Jessica Koizumi left to take an Associate Head Coaching position with University of Vermont and Assistant Coach Karel Popper also left the program in the offseason. So far, Ohio State has hired former Gopher defenseman Milica McMillen as one assistant. I would think they need to add at least one more assistant, but I have not heard anything as of yet.
Hope to see everyone at the OSU Ice Rink this season supporting women's hockey! For those who are not aware, admission and parking are free for OSU Women's Hockey games, other than one Saturday game where OSU Football is home. Admission to the game will still be free, but you will have to pay the $20 to park. I looked that up and that situation will occur on Saturday 11/11 when OSU Football is home vs Michigan State and the OSU Women are home vs Minnesota State. Thankfully, that is the only time this season when Football will be home the same Saturday as Women's Hockey.
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Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2017-2018 ... Home Playoffs This Season?
Pgb ... Welcome back! I have not heard anything about Hokey lately other than something went awry with the whole work visa thing. I was told it was Ohio State's fault, but I don't really have the details, nor do I know how that works, so I can't really say too much. My understanding was that Ohio State decided to go in a different direction at the time and did not pursue it any further. It's a shame because I think Hokey would have been a great addition to the coaching staff. I am hopeful that maybe Ohio State will revisit that. I think it would be a good thing to have a former Buckeye on the staff.
As for those "lofty" goals, I think a home playoff series and a trip to the Final Face-off are definitely reachable. And hey, with a backstop like Kassidy Sauve, you never know! She can steal games for us! If we can just get her two or three goals, we will have a chance to win a lot of games this season.
As for Charly, I feel bad that her original program was dropped. I hate to see any student-athlete have the rug pulled out from under their feet like that, but I am thrilled that she is going to be a Buckeye and cannot wait to see her in Scarlet & Gray!
I agree with you regarding the parity in the league. Should be some exciting games this season.
As for the football conflict, I like to warn folks ahead of time for that reason ... so they know that other than the $20 parking and maybe having to park in a grass lot over by the Olentangy River, or one of the ag campus lots, they can get to the hockey game at the ice rink. I would love to see some football fans show up and pack the OSU Ice Rink to cheer on the ladies for that Minnesota State game.
One more thing, I am stoked that the wife and I get to take three road trips this season! In addition to our annual trip to Madison, we are also taking advantage of the close road trips to Pittsburgh and Erie this season for weekend series against Robert Morris and Mercyhurst! And it all starts in 31 days!!!!
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Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2017-2018 ... Home Playoffs This Season?
I think UW and UM are there for the taking this year with the graduations and National Team losses, I don't see them just running away with 1st and 2nd.
I am excited to see Kepler on the ice for UW. It's great that the home town girl was able to realize her dream and play for UW. It's very impressive she was named Captain on a team she has only been on 1 year and hasn't played in a live game yet. Apparently during the initial recruiting UW wanted her but did not have any $$ for her and she could have walked on, so she decided to take the $$ and go to OSU, which I don't blame her for doing, it's a great school as well.
Who did OSU add to the schedule for fill the the sue games? Any quality opponents? UW not so much.Wisconsin Hockey: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 WE WANT MORE!
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Come to the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
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Originally Posted by Wisko McBadgerton:
"Baggot says Hughes and Rockwood are centering the top two lines...
Timothy A --> Great hockey mind... Or Greatest hockey mind?!?"
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Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2017-2018 ... Home Playoffs This Season?
Originally posted by Timothy A View PostI think UW and UM are there for the taking this year with the graduations and National Team losses, I don't see them just running away with 1st and 2nd.
I am excited to see Kepler on the ice for UW. It's great that the home town girl was able to realize her dream and play for UW. It's very impressive she was named Captain on a team she has only been on 1 year and hasn't played in a live game yet. Apparently during the initial recruiting UW wanted her but did not have any $$ for her and she could have walked on, so she decided to take the $$ and go to OSU, which I don't blame her for doing, it's a great school as well.
Who did OSU add to the schedule for fill the the sue games? Any quality opponents? UW not so much.
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Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2017-2018 ... Home Playoffs This Season?
If I am not mistaken the team does not have to improve at all to attain the goal you are in search of. Given the first place WCHA league winner will get a bye in the first round, finishing fourth gets you a first round home game. Without ND that is where they would have finished last year. I think a top 3 WCHA placement and a top 10 national ranking would be a nice move forward for this team. After that a berth to the big dance would be great.Last edited by EPIC97; 09-01-2017, 06:04 PM.
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Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2017-2018 ... Home Playoffs This Season?
Originally posted by EPIC97 View PostIf I am not mistaken the team does not have to improve at all to attain the goal you are in search of. Given the first place WCHA league winner will get a bye in the first round, finishing fourth gets you a first round home game. Without ND that is where they would have finished last year.
There was certainly no intent to d*mn the team with faint praise. Home playoff games just sounded so appealing. As has already been documented, there has been a bit of a drought in this regard.
I think a top 3 WCHA placement and a top 10 national ranking would be a nice move forward for this team.
After that a berth to the big dance would be great.
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Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2017-2018 ... Home Playoffs This Season?
Originally posted by EPIC97 View PostIf I am not mistaken the team does not have to improve at all to attain the goal you are in search of. Given the first place WCHA league winner will get a bye in the first round, finishing fourth gets you a first round home game. Without ND that is where they would have finished last year. I think a top 3 WCHA placement and a top 10 national ranking would be a nice move forward for this team. After that a berth to the big dance would be great.
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Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2017-2018 ... Home Playoffs This Season?
Breaking News: Ohio State Will Host the South Korean Olympic Team at the Ice Rink on Tuesday, Sept. 26th. Face-off is 7:07PM.
To the best of my recollection, this will be the earliest opening day in program history. Should be a fun way to start the season.
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Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2017-2018 ... Home Playoffs This Season?
Originally posted by pgb-ohio View PostBreaking News: Ohio State Will Host the South Korean Olympic Team at the Ice Rink on Tuesday, Sept. 26th. Face-off is 7:07PM.
To the best of my recollection, this will be the earliest opening day in program history. Should be a fun way to start the season.Wisconsin Hockey: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 WE WANT MORE!
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Come to the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
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Originally Posted by Wisko McBadgerton:
"Baggot says Hughes and Rockwood are centering the top two lines...
Timothy A --> Great hockey mind... Or Greatest hockey mind?!?"
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Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2017-2018 ... Home Playoffs This Season?
Originally posted by pgb-ohio View PostBreaking News: Ohio State Will Host the South Korean Olympic Team at the Ice Rink on Tuesday, Sept. 26th. Face-off is 7:07PM.
To the best of my recollection, this will be the earliest opening day in program history. Should be a fun way to start the season.
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Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2017-2018 ... Home Playoffs This Season?
I've also been meaning to mention that it will be interesting to see how it shakes for X-osu recruit Breanna Blesi. Any backstory known as why she's coming to UW instead of OSU (besides the obvious answer)Wisconsin Hockey: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 WE WANT MORE!
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Come to the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
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Originally Posted by Wisko McBadgerton:
"Baggot says Hughes and Rockwood are centering the top two lines...
Timothy A --> Great hockey mind... Or Greatest hockey mind?!?"
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Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2017-2018 ... Home Playoffs This Season?
Wow, didn't see Sauve being the predicted player of the year. It will be hard for her to win that is OSU is under .500.Wisconsin Hockey: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 WE WANT MORE!
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Come to the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
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Originally Posted by Wisko McBadgerton:
"Baggot says Hughes and Rockwood are centering the top two lines...
Timothy A --> Great hockey mind... Or Greatest hockey mind?!?"
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Re: Ohio State Buckeyes 2017-2018 ... Home Playoffs This Season?
Glad to announce that i have accepted a position as Associate Head coach at THE Ohio state university Women Icehockey team #excitingfuture
— Peter Elander (@elanderp) September 12, 2017
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