Even though the Ohio hockey team will be without right wing Jordan Levy to begin its home set with rival Miami, his presence will be felt on the ice.
During last weekend's series with Kent State, an Ohio sweep that earned the team back-to-back regular season titles in the Central States Collegiate Hockey League, Levy squared off with the Golden Flashes' Kurt Voss-Hoynes in retaliation to a cheap shot on teammate Jim Fuhs.
Levy not only pummeled Voss-Hoynes -much to the pleasure of Bird Arena's capacity crowd -but took all the wind out of the Golden Flashes' sails while adding to an ever-growing Ohio momentum that will prove crucial in the upcoming CSCHL Tournament.
But first the Bobcats (19-7-5 overall, 15-3-2 CSCHL) will welcome the Division II RedHawks (11-10-2) into Bird Arena for a weekend coach Dan Morris feels is a perfect break from the pressure-filled weekends of past and future.
The remaining two teams we play are Division II teams
and they want to build up toward the end of their seasons Morris said. We're a tune-up for their national tournament. We have a lot of conference games scheduled so we use it as a break from the pressure of conference play.
Morris is looking for his squad to maintain the intensity that allowed his Bobcats to drive through Kent State last
weekend, outscoring the Golden Flashes, 13-5.
We need to keep playing with that same kind of intensity that we've been building on Morris said. Compared to basketball
we run a full court press and pressure the entire game.
Morris plans to start Derek DeFelice in net possibly for both games.
DeFelice has been strong between the pipes this season and in practice as of late for the Bobcats.
Derek played last year and he played really well
Morris said. We're looking at getting him some action so he'll definitely see some playing time this weekend.
Ohio's greatest advantage against the RedHawks will be its depth according to Morris, who is confident that even without Levy and players hindered by injuries, the Bobcats still pose a threat.
We're getting it from different guys every weekend
Morris said. (Brandon) Hanley
(Brandon) Steffek
who didn't play last weekend
will be back for us. One weekend it's Fuhs
one weekend it's (Dave) Fitzgerald
other weekends it's eight
