Bobcats prepare for ACHA Championships with homestand against Michigan State
Ohio hockey coach Dan Morris has said since the beginning of the season that he and his Bobcats have had three goals since the first day of practice.
With the Central States Collegiate Hockey League regular season and tournament titles successfully defended, Ohio will play host to Michigan State in what will be the Bobcats' last home stand of the 2005 season.
More importantly, though, is that this weekend's games are the last chances for Ohio to focus on preparation for obtaining the team's final goal: defending the American Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament title.
The Bobcats closed their season with a pair of wins, 6-1 and 3-1, against the Spartans last season before marching through the ACHA Tournament to capture the team's first national title since 1997.
It's good for the team to have a break from the tournament intensity
Morris said. Three weeks straight of pressure is hard for any player.
Ohio will have the advantage of being back in Bird Arena where the Bobcats are 18-2-0 this season and undefeated in their last 10 games, though Morris is not selling the Division II Spartans short.
They're a good team and they play us tough Morris said. They play us to get ready for their national tournament. We're going to have a busy weekend.
Friday will be Senior Night for the Bobcats, as eight of Ohio's nine seniors will be playing their last games in Bird Arena. Jordan Levy, red-shirted as a freshman, will enjoy another year of eligibility but Rico Day, Nick Bassarab, Joe Branco, Paul Guthrie, Matt Gallagher, Sean Gallagher, Daniel Richardson and Josh Granum will make their last appearances at home.
It's going to be a sentimental night said Morris, who enjoyed his first year as Ohio's head coach with five of the seniors. These are guys who have tasted bitter defeat and had their share of wins here at Ohio
too.
Morris and four of five Bobcats selected to participate in the 2005 CSCHL All-Star Game will miss Saturday night's game. Levy, Jim Fuhs, Paul Warriner, Brandon Hanley, John Yasak were picked to represent Ohio.
Derek DeFelice is expected to start in net Friday for Ohio while the CSCHL Tournament's Most Valuable Player, goalie Ryan Baksh, will see action at some point this weekend, Morris said.
The Bobcats hit the ice in Bird Arena for the last time this season at 7:30 p.m. tonight and tomorrow against the visiting Spartans.
-Mark Shugar
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Mark Shugar
