Senior captain Jim Roach had trouble remembering when Ohio and Iowa State actually became rivals.
After a few minutes he gave up, but he did have an explanation for why the Bobcats have fared so well against Iowa State.
It goes so far back I can't even tell you dates or anything
Roach said. It's like playing a Penn State or something like that. We always bring our 'A' game and that's why I think we play so well against them.
As far as the regular season goes, the Bobcats (26-14) have owned Iowa State (28-13). They are 9-1 against the Cyclones and have outscored them 41-20.
Junior defenseman Mike Peota, who is hoping to be back on the ice after missing the Central States Collegiate Hockey League Tournament with a knee injury, says the Bobcats' success against the Cyclones is a result of their style of play.We're well-coached against them and we play hard
Peota said. I guess it's a combination of both.
But as long as longtime Cyclones coach Al Murdoch is in charge, Iowa State has a chance to win and end the Bobcats' season.
I respect Coach Murdoch because he's done great things for the league
Ohio coach Dan Morris said. I mean
he's been around since the beginning of the league.
Murdoch is a staple of the ACHA. He was around when the league was formed and has never left. Earlier this year, he tallied his 900th career win.
Morris respects Murdoch, but admits there is a healthy rivalry that dates back to the mid-90s when he was playing for Ohio.
We had some battles when I played. He was our opponent in two National Championship final games
Morris said. It's competitive
and I don't think there is anything other than respect for one another.
Murdoch currently has Morris beat in the career win column, but the two premier ACHA coaches are tied in national championships.
Morris won ACHA Championships as a player in 1995, '96 and '97 and then as a coach in 2004. Murdoch has made it to the ACHA finals seven times, but was only able to coach his team to the title once in 1992.
Playoffs are different; it's one game at a time
Morris said. You could have everything in order and then one bounce or a hot goaltender and everything changes.
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