Move over, Miami. The Redhawks are not the only rivals getting a visit from the Bobcats this weekend.
Ohio travels to State College, Pa., to take on archrival Penn State in a two-game series starting tonight.
Penn State Ice Pavilion has not been a kind venue to Ohio (3-2-1) during the past four years. The Bobcats' last win in the not-so-friendly confines was a 4-3 shootout victory, coming back on Oct. 19, 2007.
It's always a challenge (traveling to Penn State)
Ohio head coach Dan Morris said. They've been wining here lately and that's kind of a kick in the butt for us. We've got to start balancing it out.
Penn State (5-0) is a traditional power in the American Collegiate Hockey Association and has lived up to that this season. The team has outscored its opponents 28 to 9 so far.
But right wing Michael Schultz said Ohio has the opportunity catch the Icers off-guard this weekend.
We've played against two tough teams and ... we're up at that level we need to be he said. We had a little setback last weekend but I'm confident in everyone to bring it this weekend.
If the Bobcats are going to change their fortunes in Hockey Valley they will need to do so without the services of their leading set-up man. Nick Rostek, a sophomore left wing, will miss this weekend's contests with an unspecified head injury.
Schultz said the loss is a tough blow for the Bobcats.
It means a lot ... He's a penalty-killing and power-play guy
he said. We're looking for some other people - like Billy Hemann - to step up.
Freshman winger Brett Agnew will fill in Rostek's slot on Ohio's top line with Schultz and Tyler Pilmore. Hemann will replace him on special teams, an area Morris hopes to see improvement in this weekend.
Morris said he knows it will be difficult to reverse the trend on the road, especially with the injuries mounting up front.
They're a confident bunch (but) for us
we're battle-tested
he said. We've got to take that experience into there.
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Bart Logan
