Ohio traveled to Lynchburg, Virginia this weekend to take on Liberty for the second time this season, and ultimately fell 3-2 in an overtime thriller. The last time the two teams met was in Bird Arena, where the Bobcats swept the Flames in a weekend series, and being on home ice proved to be an asset for the team. Ohio gains a lot of energy from the hefty crowds it draws in, so playing away for the first time since October against the No. 6 team in the American Collegiate Hockey Association was a challenge from the start.
Here are the numbers you need to know from Friday’s loss:
2
Laker Aldridge scored both of Ohio’s goals, one at the end of the first period and another just 30 seconds into the second period. Aldridge brings some significant offensive power to the ice, scoring 26 goals across 28 games played. Although his fighting problem has hindered him in the past, he has only earned two penalty minutes since Ohio played Minot State on Feb. 3.
62
The Flames had 62 shots on goal compared to the Bobcats’ 52, a rare occurrence as the Bobcats almost always outshoot their opponents. Goaltender Justin Damon was put to work in the second period, with 28 shots on goal from the Flames in that period alone. He only let one of those 28 through, however.
4
The Bobcats and Flames played four total periods of hockey. After Aldridge’s early second period goal, Liberty responded with seven minutes left in the period to tie the game up. Just over four minutes into overtime, Jacob Kalandyk scored and secured the win for the Flames.
1
Liberty and Ohio both went 1-4 on the power play. The Bobcats like to take advantage of power play opportunities, but their recent struggle with penalties allowed teams to use that advantage against them as well. Neither team seemed to be able to capitalize in this game.
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