In its second-to-last road trip, Ohio took on the Niagara University Purple Eagles (19-5). This was an important matchup for the rankings as the Nationals approached. Ohio (23-5) was ranked No. 2 while Niagara was No. 4. Unfortunately, while the Bobcats had swept the Eagles in December, they fell in both games this weekend.
A key challenge for Ohio in this series was the changes to the forward lines. Two of the team’s top scorers could not play.
Friday:
The Eagles handed the Bobcats their first loss in the new year with a final score of 4-1. Freshman forward Lance Mengel led the offense. After an excellent performance last weekend, Mengel scored his fifth goal for the Bobcats. Defender Dean Taylor scored twice for the Eagles.
The teams were evenly matched in the first period, with 11 shots for Ohio and 12 for Niagara. Halfway through, Taylor buried the puck in the net. Niagara’s Adam Sokja assisted the goal.
Ohio’s only action in the first was a holding penalty from sophomore defender TJ Richey. The Bobcats killed the penalty to end the period. Their penalty kill has been a major strength this year. They lead the independent teams in penalty kill percentage.
In the second frame, the Purple Eagles’ assistant captain and leading scorer, Charlie Belanger, tallied a goal. Immediately after, Mengel scored with an assist from sophomore defender Kevin Kasper.
This period was comparatively clean of penalties. Sokja received a misconduct, meaning he was benched for ten minutes, but Niagara could still have five skaters on the ice.
With only one goal down, the comeback was within reach for Ohio in the third. The defense held strong, but no one was able to score. In the fight for the win, the Bobcats earned a delay of the game penalty, a sloppy mistake that decreased their chances. Even during a power play as the clock wound down, they could not break through the Eagles’ defense. The coaches pulled Bird, giving the Bobcats a 6-4 player advantage. The Eagles found the back of the empty net instead.
Finally, Taylor scored again with seconds to go. This marked only his fourth goal of the season, but he is tied for the most assists at 14.
Saturday
Ohio’s defense performed slightly better, allowing three goals. This time, senior Garrett Alderman started in goal. After the disappointing loss the previous night, the rematch was littered with penalties. Still, a more physical effort from the Bobcats lost to Niagara 3-1.
In the first period, Ohio vastly outshot Niagara, 20-9. Niagara’s goalie, Jacob Dubinsky, played like a wall and denied every shot. The Bobcats effectively shut down their opponents by preventing scoring opportunities.
The Eagles got off to a quick start in the second. Richey received an elbowing penalty. Although the Bobcats fended off the Eagles during the penalty kill, Seth Coulter scored right after.
Richey took another penalty, along with junior forward Mathieu Ovaert. Three Eagles also had penalties. Then, Ovaert made up for his infraction to score Ohio’s only goal. It was his tenth of the season. In the first series of January, he hit 100 career points. Sophomore forward Nolan Abraham and junior defender Drake Nabozny provided the assists.
Fans were in for a treat as the third period began. Players immediately dropped their gloves as Bobcats Mengel and junior forward Will Cohen got in on the action. Niagara’s Connor Loft and Quinn Schneidmiller participated. Schneidmiller was ejected from the game while Mengel received a ten-minute misconduct.
Again, the Bobcats could not erase the deficit. Aiden Callen scored for the Eagles. The Bobcats killed two penalties. Afterward, they pulled Alderman. Niagara took advantage and scored with 9 seconds remaining.
The ACHA releases its rankings on Wednesdays, but this sweep likely won’t drop Ohio too far because they faced a top-five opponent.
Next weekend, Ohio returns home to play Canisius University (9-12-1) at Bird Arena Feb. 6 and 7.
