Mankato, Minn. -- Minnesota State started the new year in rocky fashion, falling 3-0 at home to Ohio State in Western Collegiate Hockey Association action. The Buckeyes also pulled even with the Mavericks at fourth place in the league standings with the two conference points. Minnesota State is now 9-8-2 overall and 6-7-2 in circuit action.
The Buckeyes broke the stalemate at 12:33 of the first, getting an even-strength goal from Shelby Aldous. They tacked on a pair of insurance goals in the second, getting markers from Amber Bowman and Krysta Skarda at 11:16 and 13:34, respectively, to ice the win.
The two squads traded periods dominating the shot chart, with Minnesota State putting 10 shots on net in the first and third and Ohio State pounding the MSU net with 19 in the second. The Buckeyes earned a 31-26 edge in shots for the game.
Erika Vanderveer earned the shutout for OSU, stopping all of those 26 shots. Sophomore Brit Kehler took the loss for MSU, stopping 28 and holding Ohio State scoreless on four power-play chances.
The Mavericks and Buckeyes complete the season series at 3:07 p.m. Saturday, at All Seasons Arena.
