Ohio is one of the most prestigious hockey programs in the American Collegiate Hockey Association, but before it heads to the national tournament, it wants to take care of business in the Central States Collegiate Hockey League tournament.
That's what you come here for
to win your league tournament and to win nationals senior forward Jim Fuhs said. Once each season ends that's what we set out to do. We train all summer and all year.
Ohio is going into the tournament as the third seed. But, with the success the program has had in the past, the Bobcats know that they have a target on their backs regardless of their seed.
Fuhs said the players that came before them set a precedent of great hockey ' the banners hanging in Bird Arena are a testament to that.
This program is one of the well-known programs in the league
senior Dave Fitzgerald said. So any time we go to a tournament or a showcase
we have to take pride in it for the guys who played here before.
Some of the guys who helped put those banners up are still around.
Coach Dan Morris won Central States Collegiate Hockey League tournaments as a player in 1995 and 1996. As the Bobcats' head coach, he's helped raise two more banners for the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
Brian Gallagher was on the team that won the tournament in 2004, and now he's an assistant coach with the Bobcats.
I think it helps the guys because they know that Brian and I have been there
Morris said. We've been on both sides
winning and losing.
Ohio knows that the national tournament is right around the corner, but they can't downplay the importance of the league tournament.
CSCHL is important to us
Morris said. There's two ways to raise a banner in this rink
CSHCL Championships and ACHA Championships
and we want to raise both.
The Bobcats' tournament run will begin tonight against the Eastern Michigan Eagles (21-16). The Bobcats split their only regular season series with the Eagles.
