No one in Ohio's locker room needed any extra motivation for this weekend's series against cross-state rival Miami.
The No. 5 Bobcats (9-3-2, 2-0 CSCHL) responded to an uncomfortably close 3-1 win Friday evening with a 7-2 offensive outburst Saturday, led by a hat-trick performance from Zach Tisdale.
Ohio head coach Dan Morris said his players were able to convert more of their scoring opportunities after playing selfishly Friday.
We were a little more opportunistic in our shot selection
and we scored goals that weren't going in Friday night Morris said.
Freshman Fedor Dushkin got the start in goal for the Bobcats and turned away 17 of 19 shots in his first start since mid-October. Left-winger Brett Agnew said the Ukraine native looked strong after the long layoff.
(Dushkin) played really well for not having played in over a month probably
or getting any real game action
Agnew said. He came up with the good saves and controlled rebounds.
Tisdale opened up the scoring just two-and-a-half minutes into the game. The Bobcats continued to apply pressure and Agnew, Steve Osacky and Zander Dover followed suite to take a 4-0 lead into the second period.
Billy Hemann was nailed with a holding penalty in the opening minute of the second, and Brian Rieckhoff needed only 19 seconds to pot one in on the power play to bring the RedHawks within three goals.
The Bobcats came right back, and Tisdale scored the next two goals - including a beauty of a wrist shot that went bar-down for his third -- to complete his hat trick with more than 11 minutes remaining in the second.
He had the third goal that was probably the nicest shot I've seen in a long time
Agnew said. He had one of the best games he's had all-year.
Agnew added his team-leading sixth power-play goal with five minutes remaining in the period to make it 7-1 heading into the third. The RedHawks got a consolation goal on the power play late in the final minutes of the game, with the result already in-hand.
We didn't need to be told anything. We knew this was a rivalry game
Agnew said. We wanted to make sure we came out and gave a good performance and get two wins on the weekend.
2
Sports
Bart Logan
