If not for the different colored sweaters the two teams will wear when they take the ice, it might be difficult to tell Ohio and Lindenwood apart tonight.
Ohio (21-3-2) will face the two-time defending national champion Lindenwood Lions (22-2-0) in a matchup with conference championship implications.
The two teams, separated by only one spot in the latest American Collegiate Hockey Association standings, are tied at the top of the Central States Collegiate Hockey League standings with 44 apiece.
Their playing styles might explain how the two teams now find themselves at the top of the standings.
Both teams have dynamic offenses and dominating defenses, averaging 5.6 goals per game while allowing only two goals.
Both teams excel on both ends of the powerplay. Lindenwood has capitalized on man advantages 31.2 percent of the time, and the Bobcats convert at a rate of 32 percent.
Lindenwood's penalty kill success rate: 85 percent. Ohio's: 84.8.
The fact that the two teams are so similar is what will make this series so intriguing, coach Dan Morris said.
The margin between the teams is very thin
he said. It just comes down to the small things like attention to detail faceoff responsibly defensive zone responsibilities and all those things. You can't give a good team too many chances.
Ohio's Tyler Pilmore and a pair of Lindenwood's top forwards - Grant Gorcyzka and Steve Balint - are a part of the United States national team at the World University Games in Turkey and will not play in this weekend's series.
But the Lions will have Cory Spradling, who leads the team in both goals and points.
Most of Lindenwood's success this season has come in the third period, when it has scored more goals than any other period.
A deep team like Lindenwood plays at a pace that will wear you down
Morris said. You've got to be able to keep pace with them throughout the whole 60 minutes.
Despite a nine-game home-winning streak and a 15-game winning streak overall, Morris said he does not think home-ice advantage will carry too much weight this weekend.
I think it's an advantage for the first five minutes then it goes away
he said. They've played in hostile crowds before and they've got the maturity and the big game experience
so it goes away pretty quick.
Lindenwood is 10-0 on the road this season. Ohio's last home loss came against Oakland Oct. 16.
With first place in the CSCHL and the ACHA on the line, Morris said that the key for his team will be staying out of the penalty box.
In big games
special teams are the most important things
he said. Statistically
it's a dead heat. It's probably going to come down to a power play goal or something where special teams comes into play.
@ThePostSports
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