Buckeyes Begin Big Ten Play Against Spartans

Why are you reading hockey previews on a Thursday? Because it's finally time for some Big Ten hockey! Here's the lowdown on the conference as well as a look at the ladies' upcoming visit to North Dakota.

Men

Ohio State kicks off their Big Ten campaign by hosting the Spartans of Michigan State in a Thursday-Friday series. Penn State visits Michigan in the conference's opening weekend. As far as I can tell none of these games are being broadcast on BTN. 

Minnesota is the clear favorite to finish atop the Big Ten. In fact, the Gophers may have their eyes on a bigger prize. They return nearly all of last season's NCAA runner-up team.  

The remaining B1G teams each had obvious weaknesses to overcome this season. Early departures and graduation hit Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio State hard. Wisconsin lost their top five scorers. The Buckeyes bid farewell to offensive catalysts Ryan Dzingel and Max McCormick. Michigan lost key players on both offense and defense. 

The Badgers and Bucks hoped their goaltenders would hold the fort until their offenses gelled. The Wolverines looked to have the opposite problem, more set on offense than defense. No team has enjoyed much success in the early stages of 2014-15. 

Michigan swept American International last week to drag their overall record close to but still short of the .500 mark. Wisconsin is still seeking its first win of the season and languishes in the nation's cellar in nearly statistical category. The Buckeyes have fared better than the Badgers but have struggled to put together a full 60 minute effort. 

Senior captain Tanner Fritz (3-6--9) has been by far Ohio State's most consistent point provider. Though the Buckeyes have been getting contributions from many different players, no one has established himself as a reliable scorer as yet. Adding to the team's challenges, the Bucks' goaltending hasn't been as solid as was hoped.  

While teams predicted to finish in the Big Ten's second tier have underwhelmed this season, those expected to inhabit the conference's basement have shown signs of improvement. Penn State is the only B1G team besides Minnesota to boast a winning record in non-conference play. The Nittany Lions' most impressive victory of the season came last week as they defeated then No. 4 UMass-Lowell. 

Michigan State's improvements have been more modest, but they are there if you look closely. The Spartans had trouble putting the puck in the net last season, relying heavily on goalie Jake Hildebrand to keep the team in games. They were expected to do so once again this season. 

So far Hildebrand has been up to the task. The junior holds a stat line of 2.48 GAA and .912 save percentage. Though Michigan State has just three wins on the season, five of their six losses have been one goal defeats.

The Spartan offense is boosted by a healthy Matt Berry (5-3--8). He leads the team in points along with fellow junior Michael Ferrantino (5-3--8). Sophomore Mackenzie MacEachern (4-4--8) is a regular contributer as well. 

Michigan State will give Ohio State a tough series this week. The Buckeyes have been competitive against more talented teams than the Spartans this season. MSU is a hard working team, though, and should the offense falter Hildebrand is more than capable of stealing a game (or the series, really).

Games begin at 7pm both tonight and Friday. Both contests can be followed over the radio on 1460 AM. Tonight's bout will air live on FS Detroit + and via BTN2Go. A delayed broadcast airs on SportsTime Ohio beginning at 11pm. Friday's tilt can be streamed with a Buckeye Vision subscription. You can access all the necessary links here.

Fans coming out to Friday's game should note that kids wearing their youth hockey jerseys can get free popcorn as well as a postgame tour of the Buckeyes' locker room. Select players will also be available on the concourse after the game for a meet and greet with fans. 

Big Ten Outlook

Red hot Penn State head to Yost to take on Michigan in the only other conference action of the week. Minnesota dropped to No. 4 after being swept by Minnesota-Duluth last week. The Gophers take on the US Under-18 team in an exhibition bout. Meanwhile, Wisconsin takes its struggles on the road for a tough weekend in Colorado.  

Women

The Ohio State women were winless in three games last week against No. 8 Mercyhurst and No. 2 Minnesota. The lady Bucks look to turn things around this week with a series at North Dakota. 

Much like the men's team the ladies have struggled to find consistent scoring. A player will have a big points series, then disappear from the stat sheet in subsequent weeks. Senior defenseman Sara Schmitt (3-6--9) averages nearly a point per game, but no other player has yet emerged as a reliable statistical presence. Perhaps that will begin to change this week.

UND has been a surging program over the last few seasons. Highly skilled players like Jocelyn and Monique Lamoreaux and Michelle Karvinen helped turn the team into one of the country's best. 

Those players have all graduated now and while North Dakota is still a very good team, it isn't quite as scary as it's been in years past. This season's UND squad has a stat line very similar to that of Bemidji State, a team that Ohio State swept earlier this season.

North Dakota is led offensively by juniors Becca Kohler (5-7--12) and Meghan Dufault (4-6--10). They are the only UND players with double digit point totals. The team is anchored in net by senior goalie Shelby Amsley-Benzie whose 1.87 GAA and .932 save percentage put her among the nation's better netminders.  

Games are set to begin on Friday at 8pm ET and Saturday at 5pm ET. You can stream the games online with a UND Insider subscription or listen via KKXL 1440 AM.