MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Tyler Harkins ripped a shot and followed it until it hit the back of the net. The junior forward scored Ohio’s first goal in what was another offensive showcase. Ohio defeated West Virginia 11-1 at Morgantown Ice Arena.
Aside from that being the first goal of the game, it was also one of the Bobcats’ five power play goals in the game.
In the week of practice leading up to the weekend, Ohio spent periods of time working on its power play, and Harkins led the transition of practiced skills to game habits.
“I think we move the puck well,” he said. “Definitely found the open guy and its (the power play) just fine tuned right now.”
Few, if any, of Ohio’s power play chances were killed in Saturday’s game. The Bobcats took control of the puck and their time of possession only further frustrated the Mountaineers. In total, five different Ohio skaters scored on the power play, and that’s the kind of production coach Sean Hogan wants to see.
“That’s infinitely better than last year,” Hogan said. “I think it’s maturity of the guys on the power play unit, guys who have been here a long time.”
Last season, Ohio was hesitant to shoot and spent too much time looking for the “perfect shot.” While it still moves the puck around, it knows that no shot is going to be perfect.
Instead, skaters will make a few passes, shoot and play off the deflection – if there is one.
“We’ve added some movement to it and they’re getting pucks to the net,” Hogan said. “We’ve been rewarded with it.”
The constant movement was evident. Lines cycled on and off the ice, skaters circled the zone and the Bobcats left the Mountaineers’ penalty kill unit helpless.
The power play wasn’t only successful just because it scored. The set up and organization of it was key throughout the game.
“Sometimes you can get lost and just watch the play,” Harkins said. “It’s all about opening up your hips so if you get the puck you can either pass or shoot.”
While it scored five power play goals, Ohio knows that this kind of production is unlikely to hold once it begins its Central States Collegiate Hockey League schedule. No team in the CSCHL is ranked lower than No. 11 in the country.
For the Bobcats to be successful past the easier teams on their schedule, the intensity at practice will have to match that of a game.
“Everyone kind of buys into the system of what we’re trying to do,” Harkins said. “It’s hard working, it’s refreshing and I think we’ve kind of found our niche from last year.”
