After defeating Robert Morris 4-2 this past Saturday, the dulcet tones of Motley Crue’s “Home Sweet Home” rang out from the Bobcat’s locker room, fittingly celebrating a sweep in Ohio’s first home series of 2013.
With red-hot Oakland University coming to Bird Arena for a two-game series this weekend, the Bobcats look to protect home ice and keep their momentum alive.
The No. 11 Golden Grizzlies have won four straight contests heading into the weekend and are similar to Ohio’s last opponent with two offensive dynamos in sophomores Billy Balent and Anthony Colizza.
Balent is 9th in the American Collegiate Hockey Association with 30 assists, while Colizza balances 16 goals with 23 helpers of his own. Together, the two have made Oakland’s offense hard to stop, as the Grizzlies have averaged 7.5 goals per game during their winning streak.
“They’re playing well right now,” coach Dan Morris said. “They seem to be bringing their game around like we are at the right time of the year.”
Part of the reason for Ohio’s good play as of late has been the goaltending of junior Fedor Dushkin and graduate student Matt Michno.
In a recent change of strategy, Morris has decided that neither goalie will play consecutive games in a series.
The strategy had success last weekend as the duo held what was a high-scoring Robert Morris team to five goals during the two games. Dushkin had 26 saves on 29 shots and Michno was pelted with 40 shots, but only let two get past him.
“We wanted fresh goalies both nights,” Morris said. “And when they know they’re playing only one night, they’re not saving it for the next night. (Dushkin) played hard and then (Michno) came in (Saturday) and played just as hard and just as well.”
And the efforts of the goaltenders didn’t go unnoticed by the rest of the team.
“Dushkin and Michno, both goalies played unreal (last) weekend,” senior captain Tyler Pilmore said. “They’ve made an extra commitment to the team.”
With the great goaltending play came what was one of Ohio’s most complete series of the season, with plays being made in both the offensive and defensive zones and improved execution in the neutral zone.
“It’s been more of a commitment from all around,” Pilmore said. “Everybody knows their role. They accept it and they take pride in it.”
Transitioning into the weekend, Morris will need that commitment from his players to continue against a team that measures themselves against the Bobcats.
“They went to the (ACHA) finals last year and they want to gear up,” he said.
“We’re one of those challenges for them like they are for us. …They get up to play us and I’m sure they’ll be great games that come down to the small things.”
ch203310@ohiou.edu
