For 120 minutes this past weekend, Ohio had its back against the wall. The Bobcats had only 16 players and were on the road, playing another ranked opponent, in a rivalry series. But none of that mattered and, with its back against the wall, No. 8 Ohio swept No. 13 Liberty.
Friday
For the third time this season, Ohio entered a game already with a roster disadvantage. The Bobcats played with only three lines and an additional player, but that had no bearing as they defeated the Flames 2-1.
Consistent with the rhythm of the season, the Bobcats got off to a slow start in Friday’s game and headed into the locker room the same way they started – with a zero on the scoreboard.
A tight game throughout, goalie Jimmy Thomas shined for Ohio. The sophomore posted a .968 save percentage after he faced 32 shots on goal. One lone shot found its way to the back of the net with 4:06 left in the second period.
“My focus was good tonight,” Thomas said after the game. “They had a lot of shots early in the game, which helps the goalie get involved early.”
Liberty’s Joshua Bergen got the Flames on the board first off a pass from Grant Garvin.
Garvin, is the Flames' leading point scorer (25 points, 9 goals, 16 assists) and is tied for first in the American Collegiate Hockey Association for most points.
Garvin and the rest of the offensive unit had no responses after their lone goal, as, not even a minute after Bergen’s goal, Ohio sophomore forward Kyle Craddick scored to tie the game at one.
“I thought we were playing pretty well,” Hogan said. “When (Liberty) scored, I told (Ohio) that we’re going to score right away, and we did.”
Ohio’s offensive production continued into the third period when Palasics scored only 32 seconds into the final period of regulation scored on an unassisted goal that, in the end, cemented the Bobcats win.
“I told Gianni (Evangelisti) and Craddick that we got to make something happen,” Palasics said. “Luckily, we were able to get one in the first minute or so.”
For Palasics, his goal Friday night was his third game-winning goal of the season (Navy and UNLV).
“I’m just kind of at the right spot at the right time,” Palasics said. “Honestly, it’s a little bit of luck, too. Today’s goal, I literally just threw it to the net, and (it) went off some Liberty’s kid stick, and it just trickled in.”
At the sound of the final horn, an exhausted Ohio team skated off the ice with a 2-1 win.
“It was chaotic; we had a lot of different lines going out there, and they pulled it off,” Hogan said. “I’m proud of them — it was pretty awesome.”
Saturday
The Bobcats' offense continued its scoring ways Saturday as Palasics got Ohio on the board early in the first period once again. Scored just 1:38 into the game, Palasics' goal would be the only score of the period.
That was the last time just one goal was scored in a period. Liberty’s Tim Bierema scored the game-tying goal for the Flames in the second period.
Much like Friday’s game, Ohio responded quickly to Liberty’s goal. Scoring just 20 seconds after Bierema's goal, the Bobcats took back the lead and led 3-1 at the end of the second period.
The Bobcats extended their lead to three 4:51 into the third period when Bryan Lubin scored. Ohio’s penalty kill played uncharacteristically in the final period Saturday night, letting in back-to-back goals. However, Ohio was able to hang on after those goals allowed.
“I called the timeout after the second (goal),” coach Sean Hogan said. "I just said, 'We are alright, we still have the lead, keep playing our game.'"
Ultimately, Ohio never lost its one goal lead and won 4-3, completing the road sweep.
