The men's team's brutal non-conference schedule continues this week with a home-and-home series against No. 19 Bowling Green. Meanwhile the ladies host perennial title contender Minnesota at the Ice Rink with conference points on the line.
Men
Ohio State comes into this week's series a little worn and ragged. The pair of games with Bowling Green will mark the Buckeyes' fourth series against top 20 teams. The Bucks have struggled through a difficult non-conference schedule, including two losses to then No. 19 Nebraska-Omaha last week.
| BGSU | vs | OSU |
|---|---|---|
| 7-2-1 | Overall Record | 2-5-1 |
| 19 | National Polls | RV |
| 3.20 (T-16th) | Avg Goals Scored | 2.38 (T-39th) |
| 2.20 (17th) | Avg Goals Allowed | 3.12 (44th) |
| 20.5% (20th) | Power Play | 18.2% (25th) |
| 89.2% (T-12th) | Penalty Kill | 82.1% (35th) |
The only thing the Buckeyes have been consistently this season is inconsistent. They've shown flashes of, if not brilliance, then at least a kind of confident competence. Unfortunately those moments have been separated by much longer stretches in which they've looked disjointed and unsure of themselves.
It's tough for a team to work out its issues, even against lesser competition. That kind of opponent has been in short supply on OSU's calendar this season. This may be another rough week for the boys in scarlet and gray.
When the Buckeyes and Falcons bid farewell to the CCHA two seasons ago Bowling Green was a program on the rise. The solid groundwork laid by head coach was beginning to show some positive results. The Falcons have continued to improve and are currently contending for the top spot in a strong WCHA field.
Bowling Green has dropped just two games this season, both to nationally ranked opponents. The Falcons opened the season with a split against then No. 11 Miami. They split another series against then No. 12 Minnesota State.
BG's underclassmen have been carrying the mail in through the early going. The Falcons' top five point-getters are all sophomores and freshmen. They're led by red hot Kevin Dufour (9-1--10). He scored in seven of his first eight games this year. He's presently tied with Minny State's Bryce Gervais for the title of top goal scorer in the country.
Quick starts have not been the Buckeyes' strong suit this year, but they will be crucial in this series. The Falcons have been money in the first period this season. Nearly half of their goals have been scored in the opening frame. They've struck first in seven of their ten games.
This is the final installment in this season's Ohio Cup. Ohio State can't win it. A sweep of the Buckeyes means the Falcons share the crown with the RedHawks. A win or tie by the Bucks would mean Miami wins state bragging rights this year.
Tonight's game will be played at Bowling Green. The opening faceoff is set for 8pm. Saturday's game is slated for a 7pm start at the Schott.
Discounted tickets and concessions are available for fans who bring canned goods for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. Saturday's game will also feature the always popular performance of Script Ohio on ice as well as a postgame skate. Ohio State's series preview has more info on game promos and options for following the games from home.
Big Ten Outlook
Hang in there, Buckeye fans. Big Ten play is coming and with it a break from the NCAA's elite. As unattractive as Ohio State's non-conference record has been, it's not as bad as Wisconsin's. The state of Michigan hasn't fared much better in the season's opening weeks.
Penn State boasts the conference's second best non-conference record. The Nittany Lions face their toughest test of the season at No. 4 UMass-Lowell this week.
| rk | big ten teams | w | l | t | this week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RV | Michigan | 2 | 5 | 0 | vs American International |
| Michigan State | 3 | 5 | 0 | vs No. 8 Boston College | |
| 1 | Minnesota | 7 | 1 | 0 | vs/at No. 13/15 Minnesota-Duluth |
| RV | Ohio State | 2 | 5 | 1 | at/vs No. 19 Bowling Green |
| RV | Penn State | 5 | 1 | 2 | at No. 4 UMass-Lowell |
| Wisconsin | 0 | 6 | 0 | Bye |
Women
This week the Buckeyes host No. 3 Minnesota in a Friday-Saturday series at the Ice Rink. It will be Ohio State's third outing against a ranked opponent this season. The ladies are winless in three tries, having been swept at then No. 2 Wisconsin and dropping a contest against No. 8 Mercyhurst on Tuesday.
| min | vs | osu |
|---|---|---|
| 7-1-2 | Overall Record | 7-4-0 |
| 2 | National Polls | RV |
| 3.70 (6th) | Avg Goals Scored | 1.91 (28th) |
| 1.20 (2nd) | Avg Goals Allowed | 1.91 (11th) |
| 35.9% (4th) | Power Play | 3.9% (35th) |
| 92.3% (5th) | Penalty Kill | 82.9% (24th) |
Special teams are always important, more so against top-notch opposition. Chances are limited against a quality defense. Capitalizing on power play chances is key.
Unfortunately for the lady Bucks, it's an area in which they need to improve. Their struggle was evident once again on Tuesday as the squad went 0 for 7 with the man-advantage while allowing a power play goal in a 3-0 loss to Mercyhurst. At the moment the power play appears to be the only thing holding the Buckeyes back from an outstanding season.
Perhaps this is the series the ladies turn things around. You couldn't pick a much better time for it. Minnesota is, as usual, one of the top teams in both the WCHA and the NCAA. They allow a miniscule 1.20 goals per game. If the Gophers are going to give the Bucks a decent chance at their nets it'll probably be on the power play.
The lone black mark on the Gophers' record this season is a loss to Bemidji State. The 1-0 loss came in Minnesota's last outing, two weeks ago when the team was without leading scorers Hannah Brandt (9-9--18) and Dani Cameranesi (9-6--15) as well as sophomore defenseman Lee Stecklein. All three players were representing Team USA at the Four Nations Cup. The Gophers had a bye last week.
Tonight's contest is slated for a 6pm start. Saturday's game begins at 2pm. If you aren't heading out to the rink this week you can follow along via the links in OSU's series preview.
| rk | wcha standings | W | L | T | SOW | PTS | THIS WEEK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Wisconsin | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 22 | vs Minnesota State |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 17 | at Ohio State |
| RV | Ohio State | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 15 | vs Minnesota |
| 9 | Minnesota-Duluth | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 | at St. Cloud |
| 10/RV | North Dakota | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 | at Bemidji State |
| St. Cloud | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | vs Minnesota-Duluth | |
| Bemidji State | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | vs North Dakota | |
| Minnesota State | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | at Wisconsin |
