After ending last season with a CSCHL Tournament Championship, the Bobcats opened their season strong with two wins at home against Mercyhurst. Ohio won 3-1 on Friday then followed it up with a 5-0 romping of the Lakers on Saturday night.
During the first period on Friday night, Mercyhurst stood strong behind the play of its freshman goaltender, but the Bobcats broke the game open with two goals in the third period.
With only a few minutes gone by in the third, Ohio defenseman Mark Tracy took a pass from Jimmy Irwin and buried a tight-angle shot to make it 2-0.
Minutes later, defenseman Steve Osacky pinched in from the point and finished on a one-time pass from Josh Fodor. The goal put the cap on what would be a 3-1 Ohio victory.
The play had a perfect set-up
Osacky said about the goal. We had the puck down low and they had their backs to me I was able to sneak in from behind and put it in the net.
Game two of the series turned out to be even more eventful than the first. Again, Mercyhurst rode its goaltender and went to the first break in a scoreless tie.
The second period, however, was a different story. Mercyhurst took penalties early and often, which led to numerous opportunities for Ohio. Nine minutes into the second period, Ohio defenseman Zack Barbis carried the puck into the offensive zone and scored an unassisted power play goal over the goaltender's left shoulder. The goal was his second of the night.
The Bobcats lit the lamp again with 5:29 remaining making the score 3-0. With just over three minutes remaining, Mercyhurst's Shane Vorndran took a five minute major boarding penalty which was followed by a tripping penalty by Mercyhurst's Matt Leitzel about two minutes later.
The penalties led to a five-on-three man advantage for the Bobcats, during which Barbis tallied his third goal of the night, giving the Bobcats a 4-0 lead.
I felt like I was in the zone Barbis said. I got some good opportunities I was able to capitalize on.
The Bobcats put the icing on the cake with a fifth goal from forward Tyler Pilmore 13 minutes into the third period.
But the offensive fireworks paled in comparison to what happened next.
Brett Molnar was involved in a scrap with three minutes left, and soon after, all hell broke loose.
With 2:26 left, a fight broke out between the teams, leading to many penalties and a couple of game misconducts.
The brawl appeared premeditated, as all three Laker forwards initiated fights off the faceoff.
Even Ohio goaltender Paul Marshall got in on the action, and was eventually ejected. Sticks and gloves littered the ice, and a long delay ensued.
When asked what his team needs to do better for next week, coach Dan Morris responded by saying the team needs to improve its spacing in the corner.
We need to be able to find the open ice
we seem to tire ourselves out
he said.
The Bobcats continue play next weekend at Bird Arena with a series against Youngstown State.
2
Sports
Rob Ogden
