It was a rollercoaster ride for Ohio State as the team built and then squandered an early lead in today’s opening game of the Big Ten hockey tournament. But the Buckeyes righted the ship before it sank. They dominated much of the final two periods, scored four unanswered goals, and advance to the B1G semifinals.
| scoring by period | 1 | 2 | 3 | final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 6 Michigan State | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| No. 3 Ohio State | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
The game could not have started more marvelously for Ohio State. Less than six minutes into the contest the Buckeyes held a 2-0 lead thanks to the usual suspects. First, Mason Jobst put the team on the board with his trademark hustle. He got far enough around the Spartan defender to gain a look at the net. He had only a small square of twine to shoot at, but he nailed it.
Mason Jobst opened the scoring with his 19th goal and 52nd point of the year. https://t.co/mTtapf3iRh
— Ohio State M Hockey (@OhioState_MHKY) March 16, 2017
The next score came courtesy of Nick Schilkey and the Buckeye power play. As the teams skated 4-on-3, Schilkey ripped goal No. 27 on the year. Dakota Joshua provided visual cover for the tally with a screen of MSU goalie Ed Minney.
Nick Schilkey scored goal 27 in the 1st. 1st Buckeye with 27 goals since Tom Scanlon in 1979-80. https://t.co/lEZEgKV7bL #GoBucks
— Ohio State M Hockey (@OhioState_MHKY) March 16, 2017
A two goal lead should have meant smooth sailing for Ohio State. Instead the team fell prey to the penalty trouble and loose puck possession that plagued it during the doldrums of February. Michigan State thoroughly exploited the Buckeyes’ mistakes. The Spartans reeled off three goals in a 5:22 span, a one-timer off a defensive zone turnover, the conversion of an odd man rush, and a power play goal.
| buckeye goal scorers (assists) | pd | time |
|---|---|---|
| Mason Jobst (Nick Schilkey, Tommy Parran) | 1 | 4:09 |
| PP - Nick Schilkey (Mason Jobst, Dakota Joshua) | 1 | 5:44 |
| Brendon Kearney (Christian Lampasso, Drew Brevig) | 2 | 13:54 |
| PP - Dave Gust (Mason Jobst) | 3 | 0:25 |
| Dave Gust (Janik Moser) | 3 | 1:38 |
| Tanner Laczynski (Tommy Parran, Matt Weis) | 3 | 3:51 |
Trailing 3-2, the Buckeyes returned for the second period with a renewed focus and commitment to the “little things.” They took it to Michigan State in the first half of the middle frame, spending extended shifts in the Spartans’ end and controlling the vast majority of the play. MSU did not register a shot on goal until nearly seven minutes into the period.
With about six minutes to go, the relentless OSU attack finally produced a game tying tally. The Bucks’ fourth line fired shot after shot at Minney. The Spartans blocked several attempts, but eventually Brendon Kearney found a gap in the defense and winged the puck past Minney for a 3-3 score.
And we are tied up again! @OhioState_MHKY buries the lose puck at the #B1Ghockey tourney. @B1Ghockey https://t.co/G0q2xB3JTb
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) March 16, 2017
The final intermission break didn’t slow Ohio State’s momentum. The Bucks surged ahead with three goals in the opening 3:51 of the third period. The first two tallies were authored by Dave Gust. He needed only 25 seconds to net the go ahead power play score. Then, on his next shift, he zipped around the Spartan defense and, with a clean look on Minney, flat beat the MSU netminder with an insurance goal.
Wow - 2 goals in under 2 minutes for David Gust for @OhioState_MHKY at the #B1Ghockey tourney. https://t.co/UtSlyuLlnV
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) March 16, 2017
This time the Buckeyes kept the pressure on with their two goal advantage. OSU outshot Michigan State 15-7 over the final 20 minutes of the game. Tanner Laczynski added one more score, bulls-eyeing a gaping net for a 6-3 Ohio State lead.
So the Buckeyes take the next step in their Big Ten tournament run. They advance to the semifinals where they will face No. 2 seed Wisconsin. The puck drops on that game tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. Ohio State cannot afford this kind of a three-goal slip up against the Badgers. However, if the Bucks pick up where they left off with today's tilt, they'll have a decent shot at making the championship game.
- Matt Tomkins finished with 26 saves and his twelfth victory of the season.
- Ohio State’s power play went 2-for-3 while Michigan State was held to 1-for-3 with the man advantage.
- With goal No. 27 on the season Nick Schilkey now has more goals than any Buckeye since Tom Scanlon (1979-80).
- Mason Jobst is no longer chasing R.J. Umberger's 53 points. A goal and two assists today bring Jobst’s year-to-date total to 55 points.
- Watch BTN's full highlights here and check out the official boxscore via OSU.
- Ohio State's Twitter also has the postgame press conference featuring Steve Rohlik, Dave Gust, and Mason Jobst as well as comments from Brendon Kearney and Nick Schilkey.
- On the other side of the bracket No. 4 Penn State topped No. 5 Michigan with no problems, 4-1. The Nittany Lions take on No. 1 Minnesota in tomorrow night's prime time semifinal.
