In its first series since winning the American Collegiate Hockey
Association national championship last year, the Ohio hockey team pummeled visiting North Dakota State 7-1 and 5-1 this weekend.
Clearly more physical and too talented for North Dakota State, the Bobcats dominated the weekend with four power play goals and were able to test the waters with several of their younger players.
With the goalie spot still open, coach Dan Morris was able to start both Ryan Baksh and Derek DeFelice for a game this weekend. With both goalies earning a win, Morris said he still isn't ready to commit to one goalie just yet.
Both guys played really well
Morris said. Derek had a bit more work to do on Saturday but when both guys are 1-0 you can be sure that we're still in for a good battle.
While they battle for the spot, DeFelice and Baksh, who were road roommates last year, both said they just want a chance to go out and play.
The (two-goalie) situation doesn't matter DeFelice said. I just want to play whenever I get the chance.
Baksh said all he can do is keep working.
I just come to work hard
he said. I'm going to keep on playing that way without thinking too much. If I do that
hopefully my play will speak for itself.
While the defense settles itself around the two goalies, the offense seems to have found its form early in the season. North Dakota State had no answer for Ohio's special teams play on either end, but seemed particularly unable to handle Ohio when they were short-handed.
Morris said that special teams are something that the team has spent a great deal of time on early this season.
That's one of those things where you can see we've put the time in
Morris said. We made that a big point from the first practice and we came in with the confidence that we could dominate that area of the game.
One player who made an immediate impact on special teams was forward Paul Warriner, who scored two goals during the weekend. Warriner, who was brought in last year primarily for his defense, is taking on an active role in the Bobcat offense.
That's one of those things where I just have to bear down
Warriner said. With all the guys we had graduating and all the moves we made
I understand that guys have to change roles and we'll have different go-to guys early in the season.
Morris said he will continue to play both goalies through the early part of the season. Ohio next plays Michigan-Dearborn at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in Bird Arena.
17
Archives
