Ohio State and Connecticut skated to a 3-3 tie yesterday afternoon. While the game was even on the scoreboard, the Buckeyes dominated in almost every other aspect of the game. On any other day they would’ve won going away. Unfortunately for the Bucks, on this day Huskies goalie Rob Nichols had himself one heck of a game.
| scoring by period | 1 | 2 | 3 | ot | final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| No. 14 Ohio State | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
Tage Thompson staked UConn to a first period lead. The Huskies’ leading scorer converted his team’s first two power play chances into two man-advantage goals. Ohio State’s Mason Jobst responded with his second goal of the series to cut the deficit in half heading into intermission.
| pd | time | buckeye goal scorers (assists) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12:11 | Mason Jobst (Nick Schilkey) |
| 2 | 4:36 | Nick Schilkey (Matt Weis, Luke Stork) |
| 3 | 1:11 | PP - Dave Gust (Mason Jobst, Dakota Joshua) |
The Buckeyes dialed up the offense in the second period, bombarding Nichols with 25 shots. Nick Schilkey tied the game with his tenth tally of the season, but that was the only rubber to get past Nichols. The Connecticut netminder matched an arena record with 24 saves in the period. Steve Rohlik noted the impressive play of the visiting tender in his postgame remarks:
“That was one of the most amazing goalie performances I have seen in a long time. There were a lot of quality chances out there, but that’s why you play the game, that’s sports.”
Ohio State’s offensive onslaught continued in the final frame. Just over a minute in, Dave Gust capitalized on a power play opportunity, giving the Buckeyes a 3-2 lead. The Huskies battled back, though. Brian Morgan knotted the score at the 10:20 mark.
With nothing decided in regulation time the game went to an extra session. The teams traded power plays in overtime but neither side found the back of the net. Officially the game resulted in a tie.
However, since Ohio State hosted the tilt and the Big Ten is a shootout league, the Bucks and Huskies squared off in a skills comp for bragging rights and the entertainment of the fans. After five rounds UConn emerged victorious, scoring two goals to OSU’s one. Gust had the lone marker for the Bucks.
The 1-0-1 series wasn’t a bad overall outcome for Ohio State. Yet it wasn’t a satisfying one either. Following the game, junior Matt Weis expressed disappointment in not completing the series sweep:
“I thought this week was our best week of practice we have had all year. I think all of the guys came to work and push each other so to come out 1-0-1 definitely left a sour taste in our mouth, we have to learn to cash in in these games.”
The 6-1-4 Buckeyes now prepare for a roadie to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Ohio State is set to face off against RPI next Friday and Saturday at 7pm ET. Following that series the Bucks have a week off. Then they begin Big Ten play at Minnesota.
Noteworthy
- Over the course of the second and third periods the Bucks outshot Connecticut 39-8.
- OSU blocked 25 shots in the game. Sasha Larocque, Gordi Myer, and Josh Healey led the way with four blocks each.
- Only 17 shots got through to Christian Frey. He stopped 14 of them.
- Ohio State dominated the faceoff circle, 33-18.
- Nick Schilkey (2-3--5) and Dave Gust (4-0--4) were the top performers of the series for the Scarlet and Gray.
- Like those slick camouflage jerseys? The auction is now open. You can place bids on the game-worn threads through November 30.
- The women’s hockey Bucks were defeated by St. Cloud State on Saturday, 4-1. Jessica Dunne notched her first goal of the season for OSU but the Buckeyes couldn’t muster any further offense. Kassidy Sauve’s shutout streak ended at an impressive 195:15.
