Following a weekend where the Bobcats won the Central States Collegiate Hockey League regular season title and earned a first round bye in the league tournament is no easy task for the Ohio hockey team.
Nevertheless, Ohio (16-7-2) will play host to two games against Fredonia State this weekend.
Originally intended to be a CSCHL game against Eastern Michigan, Ohio had to reschedule the games after the Eagles dropped out of the league. Now, after going 3-0-1 against American Club Hockey Association No.1 Penn State and No.3 Illinois, coach Dan Morris said the team has to keep working, regardless of opponent.
We kind of explain it to the guys based on all the hard work we've done so far
Morris said. We have to keep our focus because without that all that could count for nothing.
After taking off Monday, Morris said the team spent Tuesday preparing for Fredonia State and then held a three-on-three tournament in Wednesday's practice.
The guys had a well deserved day off Morris said. Any time you can take a day in the middle of a long season
it's a big help. It rejuvenates the players and the coaches.
Forward Robbie Farmer said that the players would not need help getting psyched for this weekend's series.
It doesn't matter who we play
Farmer said. What's important is taking a winter run into the playoffs. Nothing is more helpful than going into the championships with momentum
and that's what wins give us.
While wins give the team momentum, Ohio is hoping they will get the Bobcats a little respect, as the new ACHA rankings will be released today.
Currently ranked No. 6, Morris said he hoped to move up into the top four for seeding in the ACHA tournament. Following wins against four teams (Penn State, Illinois, then No. 4 Michigan-Dearborn, and then-No. 4 Iowa State) ranked in the top five, Morris said he was pretty sure the team would move up in the rankings.
Right now I know that we had to wait on the rankings for a while
Morris said. But with the teams we've beat
I'll be concerned if we don't move up this time. We need to make a move into the top four.
Ohio plays Fredonia State at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in Bird Arena.
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