The junior forward’s timely scoring helped the Bobcats into national quarterfinals
Down 2-0 early in both of its American Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament games, Ohio needed its top goal scorer to take action.
Forward Michael Harris did what he has done all season and started putting pucks in the net.
Harris’s three goals and four points, both team highs, in Ohio’s two ACHA National Tournament games provided offense at crucial points to give the team a chance at success.
In Ohio’s 5-2 victory over No. 11 Liberty on Saturday, the Bobcats trailed 2-0 at the end of the first period.
Harris got Ohio on the board with a goal midway through the second period, then assisted on its tying marker to spark five unanswered goals en route to an easy win.
The 6-foot-2-inch junior said the Bobcats are used to falling behind early in games and enjoy ramping up their play afterward.
The beginning of Ohio’s national quarterfinal game against No. 3 Minot State had the same story as with Liberty, but this time Ohio was able to respond in the first period and even the score at 2-2 by the end of the frame.
Again, Harris was in the middle of the action.
He tied the game up at 13:29 of the first period with a piercing shot on the powerplay that flung the water bottle off of the Minot State goalie’s net.
“Today Harris’s shot was one of the best shots I’ve ever seen,” senior defenseman and captain Mike Kretz said. He described the blast as his favorite highlight of the season because of its importance to the game and the way it impacted the crowd.
Although the Bobcats would eventually fall to Minot State 4-3 in overtime, Harris’s timely production was one of the main reasons Ohio went as deep into the tournament as it did.
Harris led Ohio’s high-powered first line, which also featured sophomore shooters Patrick Spellacy and Joey Breslin. Together, the trio accounted for five of Ohio’s eight goals and 10 of its 19 total points.
“They’re always good,” coach Sean Hogan said. “Joey, Harry and Spelly create a lot of opportunities.”
Ohio’s season is over, but Harris and his linemates have yet to finish their legacy that could see them go further into the national tournament next season.
@JordanHorrobin
