It's never easy to replace a legend, and for Ohio hockey, Paul Marshall is as close as it comes. The former Bobcat goaltender, who graduated last spring, owns almost all the team's career records in net: wins, shutouts, saves, and goals against average.
After Marshall's departure, coach Dan Morris had recruited a pair of goalies, Bryan Danczak and Fedor Dushkin, but said he questioned whether either was ready for the difficult American Collegiate Hockey Association schedule.
Meanwhile in Huntsville, Ala., Blake MacNicol had a decision to make. The Milan, Ohio native and University of Alabama - Huntsville goaltender had missed most of his senior year after breaking his hand, and his team was in the midst of changes.
The Chargers -- the only NCAA Division I hockey team below the Mason-Dixon line -- had enjoyed one of their most successful seasons in school history, which included a trip to the NCAA Frozen Four tournament. But with coach Danton Cole leaving and a pair strong incoming goaltenders, his future with the program was no longer assured.
"I would've had to petition (to play) another year," MacNicol said. "If that didn't work out I would've been stuck there without hockey."
MacNicol didn't want to risk the latter so he decided a change in scenery was in order.
The MacNicol family has a history at Ohio University. His father Alex played for the Bobcats in the 1960s and 70s, and Athens is where Alex met his wife, Sharon.
MacNicol's father has remained close to the hockey program since his playing days, and once the decision was made to leave UAH, he was on the phone with Morris.
"(MacNicol) wanted to transfer here and we didn't have any goalies left," Morris said."It's worked out for both parties. We're happy that Blake's here and I think he's happy he's here.
"We wanted some senior leadership -- somebody who'd been through it -- to help the young goalies out and give them some confidence before we put them in the war zone."
But the transition was far from seamless. The Bobcats opened up the ACHA season 1-2-1 and though the team as a whole struggled, MacNicol was a big factor.
"He played 37 minutes last year before his injury and you could tell right away (this season that) he hadn't played much," Morris said. "It doesn't matter how good you are, if you're just not out there playing -- getting pucks to you -- it's going to take a while."
But after the disappointing start, Ohio has been one of the most dominant teams in the nation. The 'Cats carried an 11-game winning streak into their winter break and have been unbeaten in regulation since Oct. 22. MacNicol has been at the heart of it all.
"It was a big adjustment because I hadn't played many games in a year and a half or two years once I got injured," MacNicol said. "It always helps once guys get to know each other better and you get to know the freshman better. You start clicking as a team and that was a big thing."
Despite the impressive turnaround, which has seen the Bobcats rise to No. 4 in the nation in the latest ACHA rankings, MacNicol said that he and the team have yet to reach their peak potential.
"We've got a long way to go. We're not where we need to be at," he said. "It was nice to get those wins, but once you're playing some tougher competition, that's when we'll see."
MacNicol said he knows he is filling some pretty big skates, but he doesn't dwell on that. He has more important things in mind.
"As long as we win, that's all that matters," he said. "Winning a national championship -- that's our goal."
Marshall may have all the records, but if MacNicol can bring a championship to Athens — something Marshall never could — he’ll be a legend in his own right.
bl245106@ohiou.edu
@ThePostSports
