Minnesota Duluth added to its best streak of the season Saturday afternoon with a 1-1 overtime tie against Ohio State in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association game before 357 at the OSU Ice Arena.
Despite missing five of its top nine forwards because of injuries, UMD lengthened its unbeaten streak to nine games (7-0-2), the best stretch since opening the season with eight straight wins.
Junior winger Karine Demeule's power-play goal midway through the first period gave No. 7-ranked UMD a 1-0 lead. Lisa Chesson tied it with 3:25 left in the opening period for No. 9 Ohio State.
Goalies Kim Martin of the Bulldogs (31 saves) and Erika Vanderveer (20) of the Buckeyes were outstanding the rest of the way. UMD (16-7-3, 15-5-2 WCHA) primarily used six forwards because of thinning numbers.
"It's amazing what these players have done despite a depleted lineup the whole month of January. I am so proud," said UMD coach Shannon Miller. "Our forwards were struggling just to stay on their feet and fight through the fatigue. Then, late in the game, they came up with some really good chances to win."
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Ohio State (14-10-4, 9-9-4) outshot UMD 32-21, including 3-2 in overtime, but was stopped by freshman Martin for a second straight night (the Bulldogs won 5-3 Friday). Martin has a 1.48 goals-against mark and .948 save percentage this season.
UMD lost second-leading scorer Jessica Koizumi to a knee injury in the first period Friday. The extent of her injury will be determined this week. Freshman defender Heidi Pelttari suffered an elbow bone bruise Friday, but played Saturday.
The Bulldogs return home this Friday and Saturday to face No. 1 and WCHA-leading Wisconsin at the DECC. The Badgers (24-1-3) are averaging 4.39 goals a game, while during its current unbeaten streak UMD is allowing 1.30.
For a summary of the game, turn to Page D9.
