Ohio (7-0) defeated Stony Brook University (1-2-1) 11-1 Friday. Heading to the weekend, the Bobcats retained their No. 1 ranking, while the Seawolves dropped from No. 23 to No. 24.
One player stole the show: Luc Reeve, a graduate student and alternate captain. Reeve scored four goals. His first goal of the night cemented his place in Ohio Hockey history as the all-time leading goal scorer. By the end of the night, his career total was 98 goals.
“I honestly couldn't get a smile off my face,” Reeve said. “It was one of the happiest moments I’ve had, other than winning last year.”
In the first period, Ohio exemplified the idea that a good offense is a good defense.
Although they only had three shots on goal, the Seawolves struck first. Sophomore forward Peter Labos scored with an assist from senior forward Paul DeSaro.
Ohio returned the favor. A Stony Brook player hooked captain and forward Noah Holt, and was called for it. Before referees blew the play dead, sophomore forward Breyden Zupsansky gathered the puck. He shoved it toward the left post of the net. Senior Mathieu Ovaert finished it off.
After Ohio dominated in offensive possession with a 19-3 advantage in shots on goal, the score was tied 1-1.
The Bobcats were in control in the second period. Senior forward Barron Stibbe scored two minutes in. He took his shot left of the net, on the goal line. The puck trickled through off the goalie’s back.
Later, senior forward Kevin Kasper scored his fourth goal of the season. He chipped in a backhand shot as he skated through the crease. Stibbe assisted.
There were two penalties against each team in this period. Ohio’s penalty kill was excellent, even creating a scoring chance. The power play, however, was lackluster. Stony Brook cleared the puck again and again.
In the third period, the Bobcats came alive. They netted eight goals. The Seawolves defense fell apart.
A minute in, Ovaert and junior defender Gavin Keller combined to get the puck to Reeve.
“Mathieu made such a mine pass, and I kind of batted it out of midair,” Reeve said. “I don’t have very many of those.”
Next, Stibbe passed the puck to a waiting freshman forward Gianni DiVita, who drilled it into the net. Sophomore Lance Mengel had the secondary assist. Reeve scored again off the following faceoff. Alternate captain and senior Will Cohen and freshman forward Alex Thomas assisted.
Reeve earned his hat trick soon after. Cohen and Thomas provided the assists again. A Stony Brook defender dove to block the shot, but it was no use.
“He is one of the best players in Ohio Hockey’s 69 years of history,” head coach Barry Schutte said. “So proud of him, and happy he could do it on home ice. It’s more special to be able to share that with your fans.”
The teams settled into a rhythm, until a pair of fights sparked tension. Keller and Stony Brook’s Triston Sherwood received 10-minute misconducts, leaving the ice for the night.
During the four-on-four play, the Bobcats put another point on the board. Zupsansky broke away from a defender and passed to Holt. Holt’s shot beat the goalie.
The Seawolves changed goalies, but the substitution did not help. Reeve fought through traffic and scored a minute later. Thomas and Cohen assisted for the third time.
Ohio scored two more goals before the buzzer sounded. Ovaert stretched out in front of the net to score his second of the night. Junior defender TJ Richey and Zupsansky had the assists. Stibbe also netted his second goal via assists from Mengel and Reeve.
“We played slow (in the first),” Schutte said. “Too much east-west play, not enough north-south. But I am super pleased with how we played in the third period.”
Ohio and Stony Brook play their rematch Saturday at 3 p.m. at Bird Arena. Doors open at 2 p.m.
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