The regular season is over. The records have been wiped clean and a new season has begun: the postseason.
Ohio begins the Central States Collegiate Hockey League tournament play Saturday night. The Bobcats will have to face the host school Illinois in their first-round match up.
“(Illinois) is definitely going to be fired up,” coach Cole Bell said. “They have been playing some good hockey lately, and we know they are a very good team.
Game information
Opponent: University of Illinois
Puck drop: 8:30 pm.
Venue: University of Illinois Ice Arena
How to watch: Ohio Youtube
Meet the Opponent
Top point scorers
No. 26 Thomas Kolaz (14 goals, 27 assists)
No. 24 Robert Ernsting (10 goals, 25 assists)
No. 21 Kacper Ryba (21 goals, 13 assists)
Goalie play
No. 1 Jake Barnhart (10-8, .921 save percentage, 2.15 goals-against average, two shutouts )
No. 30 Elliot Gerth (10-4, .900 save percentage, 2.38 goals-against average)
No. 31 Royce Allred (2-0, .881 save percentage, 2.50 goals-against average)
Penalty minutes
No. 15 Braden Stewart (106)
No. 26 Thomas Kolaz (79)
No. 19 Jake Healy (40)
Regular-season series
In the regular season, Ohio won three out of four games against the Fighting Illini. That only loss came back on Dec. 6th when Illinois won the game 2-0. Bell isn’t worried about his team being overconfident heading into this series, though.
“All the games have been close,” Bell said. “I think we have the confidence, but I don’t think it is overboard.
Injury Report
All of the Bobcats are healthy and ready to go for the CSCHL playoffs.
If Ohio defeats Illinois in the semifinal game, it will advance to the championship game, which will be played Sunday at 2 p.m. EST.
