After a pretty hefty bludgeoning in round 1, Ohio State managed to hold on for another win im the return leg. The Buckeyes managed to score an identical numberof goals, but freshmen Brendan Grimes and Johnathan Peshko scored 4 goals on 5 shots between them to keep this game a much tighter affair.
Grimes especially went off out of nowhere, having not started last week and then suddenly poured in a perfect hat trick, 3 goals in 3 shots. That's not what you want to see as a Buckeye fan, but the big lefty was the #5 recruit in the country for a reason. Buckeyes just couldn't close the deal.
Offensively, Ohio State got massive contributions from Jack Myers (3g, 2a) and Jackson Reid (4g, 2a). Ryan Terefenko announced his presence in a big way, scoring 3 goals as well to help the Buckeye offense out.
Two storylines that really stick out. Tre Leclaire is in a funk. He is 2-21 the past two games combined. That's not good enough for a graduate senior. He knows that. I know Coach Myers is telling him that. But things just aren't clicking. When it does, the B1G will really, really be in trouble.
Secondly, Mitchell Pehlke is making a serious case as the Buckeyes' most effective middie on offense. The sophomore came to Columbus as a bit of a project. Slick with a camera, but didn't make a mark through 1.5 seasons on the field.
I don't know what has been happening at practice, or in the gym, but Pehlke has added results to his YouTube stardom. And it couldn't come at a better time. With a goal amd an assist today, Pehlke is positioning himself to have a HUGE role the next couple years.
Defensively, the Buckeyes had a bit of a regression. The Blue Jays managed to shoot over 30%, but the biggest players didn't score any goals, though Connor DeSimone managed 3 assists. Former #1 overall recruit Joey Epstein didn't register any points, a fine effort for the defense.
Cole Williams did get loose, as did Brendan Grimes, but with the talent on hand for Hopkins, especially this late in the year, that's going to happen. Buckeyes won, that's all that matters.
At the faceoff dot, Justin Inacio was 13-28, a decent but unspectacular day. With the change in rules, expecting 60% every time out isn't realistic. Inacio did what he could, and didn't get worked. That's a positive.
Overall, a decent win over a traditional power that is still more talented than Ohio State. The Buckeyes got to work, recovered from an early deficit, and managed to come out on top. Back at .500, with a giant game against (edit: Maryland. D'oh!) next week. Big things ahead!
Go Bucks!
