Ohio and Penn State played evenly through two fierce games this weekend, and each team came away with one hard-fought victory.
Friday, the Bobcats (8-1) earned a 2-1 victory over the Icers (3-1), who managed only 18 shots on Ohio goaltender Paul Marshall.
It doesn't matter who we play
we have to play the same way he said. It's not so much about scoring goals as it is keeping the puck out of your own net.
Both teams played hard-hitting, fast-paced hockey the entire night. The Icers were penalized three times within the last six minutes of the period, allowing the Bobcats to establish an offensive presence before the first intermission.
But it was Penn State that broke the scoreless tie early in the second period.
Ohio struck back later in the period as Michael Schultz netted his first goal of the night off a nice feed from Mark Tracy. Schultz took the pass near the blue line and skated in alone, firing a wrist shot past the glove of Icer goaltender Teddy Hume.
Late in the period, Zach Tisdale and the Icers' Eric Steinour dropped gloves during a skirmish near the Ohio goal. Both players were given game misconducts, and neither was eligible to play in Saturday's game.
In the third period, Schultz put in the winning goal on the power play as Hume was unable to control the rebound of Tyler Pilmore's shot. Ohio closed the game through solid defense and key saves from Marshall.
He knows how to play big games he said. When guys know they have a safety net back there
they (settle in).
Saturday, the Bobcats played 64 minutes and 55 seconds of tough hockey, but lost 4-3 in overtime.
Penn State opened the scoring off of a failed clearing attempt by the Bobcats. Matt Kirstein centered the puck to Kurt Collins, who beat Marshall glove-side.
Ohio responded when Ryan Tessmer scored a power play goal off another Hume rebound with less than a minute remaining.
Penn State took the lead when George Saad put a shot past Marshall, who could not find the puck after making the initial save.
Ohio had its best opportunity to retake control following a mêlée that resulted in eight penalties. The Bobcats had a five-minute two-man advantage, and they capitalized with 44.2 seconds remaining. Jake Holzemer got the tying goal and the potential game-winning goal was disallowed due to a penalty to Holzemer with 14 seconds left in the period.
Overtime saw several more penalties and plenty of open ice as teams played stints at 3-on-3, 4-on-3, and 4-on-4.
With about five seconds remaining and puck possession in their defensive zone, the Bobcats lazily attempted to keep the puck out of the hands of the Icers to preserve a tie.
Dominic Morrone took control, circled the net, and passed to Steve Thurston, who fired a quick shot off the post and in as the final horn sounded.
That's a very good (Ohio) hockey team
Penn State coach Scott Balboni said. Our guys worked very hard
[but] we've got a lot of growth to do as a hockey team. We got outplayed for a good portion of the game.
Morris expressed optimism despite the loss.
I'd rather have a team of guys that hates losing than a team of guys that likes winning
Morris said. And going into that locker room tonight
I'd say I've got a team of guys that hates losing.
ms229908@ohiou.edu
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