Ohio State closes out the regular season this week with a series at Wisconsin. Neither squad can improve its position in the Big Ten. Regardless of this week's results Ohio State will finish in fifth place and the Badgers in sixth. However both teams should still be motivated to perform well. A strong showing in the season finale lays a good foundation for next week's Big Ten tournament.
When we last saw the Badgers they and the Bucks were splitting a series at the Schott. It was the beginning of a late season surge for Ohio State. In the last month OSU is 5-3-0.
| OSU | WIS | |
|---|---|---|
| 12-18-2 | Overall Record | 4-24-4 |
| N/A | National Polls | N/A |
| 2.84 (T-25th) | Avg Goals Scored | 1.75 (56th) |
| 3.47 (53rd) | Avg Goals Allowed | 3.75 (55th) |
| 14.0 (46th) | Power Play % | 12.1 (51st) |
| 74.7 (57th) | Penalty Kill % | 73.1 (59th) |
The (mostly) healthy Buckeyes have amped up their scoring. They've posted five goals in four of their last six outings. Many players are contributing to the offensive outburst, none more than Tanner Fritz. Over that stretch the senior captain has racked up a 5-6--11 stat line.
Wisconsin has not fared as well. The Badgers followed their victory over OSU with a win against Michigan State. Their win streak was short lived. Their last five games have been losses, four of which were by shutouts. Adding injury to insult, the team’s leading scorer, Grant Besse, is day-to-day with a bruised knee.
The points don't really matter this week. Ohio State can't improve its position in the standings. The Buckeyes will finish fifth in the Big Ten. It's more important for them to continue their recent momentum and be operating at the top of their game for the conference tourney next week. (Although it is difficult to see how one could accomplish that without beating Wisconsin.)
Games are scheduled for tonight at 8pm ET and Saturday at 7pm ET. ASN picked up tonight's television broadcast. Check your local listings for a specific channel. Tomorrow's tilt airs live on BTN. Both games can be followed online via BTN2Go and over the radio at 1460AM.
Big Ten Outlook
The battle for the regular season crown goes right down to the wire. Michigan State, Michigan, and Minnesota all have the potential to be outright champs. I think the best Penn State can do is a co-championship with MSU. (Again, you should do the math yourself because I’m very bad at it.)
Minnesota is hanging onto its NCAA tourney hopes by a thread. The Gophers are on the very edge of the bubble for an at large bid. They really can’t afford any slip ups this week against the Nittany Lions.
| rk | big ten standings | w | l | t | sow | pts | this week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RV | Michigan State | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 34 | vs/at Michigan |
| 19 | Michigan | 11 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 33 | at/vs Michigan State |
| 15 | Minnesota | 10 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 33 | vs Penn State |
| RV | Penn State | 10 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 31 | at Minnesota |
| Ohio State | 7 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 21 | at Wisconsin | |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 10 | vs Ohio State |
Women's Hockey Seeking New Coach
Ray Stein and Todd Jones of The Columbus Dispatch report that Nate Handrahan, head coach of Ohio State women's hockey, has resigned his position "in lieu of being fired." According to Stein and Jones, the decision follows an investigation by the university into claims of inappropriate and unprofessional behavior. Upon review of the findings OSU determined the best course of action was to part ways with the head coach. Ohio State will also replace assistant coach Keith Maurice.
Former Buckeye goaltender Chelsea Knapp spoke with Shelby Croft of 10TV, saying she was unsurprised by the allegations. OSU is the third WCHA team seeking a coach for 2015-16. Minnesota-Duluth did not renew the contract of Shannon Miller beyond this season while Eric Means parted amicably with Minnesota State after six seasons behind the Mavericks’ bench.
