Hockey Bucks Host Penn State, St. Cloud in Conference Series

Ohio State hockey enjoys some home cooking this week. Both the men’s and women’s teams are in Columbus to host conference foes. The men try to tame another high flying offense while the women hope for a repeat of an earlier result.

No. 11/13 Buckeye Men vs. RV Penn State

Last week all the promising pieces of the Buckeye machinery finally clicked into place and manufactured a pair of big wins. Ohio State's stifling defense neutralized Michigan’s third ranked offense. The Bucks allowed just three total goals to a Wolverines crew that, coming into the series, had averaged nearly four goals per game. Goalie Sean Romeo continued to be superb in net. Offensively three different lines chipped in with goals for the Scarlet and Gray. 

This week the Buckeyes face another potent offense in Penn State. The Nittany Lions began the season with a promising outlook. They were coming off a 2016-17 campaign that saw them win the Big Ten tournament and make the program’s first ever NCAA tourney appearance.

This year Penn State was picked to repeat its fourth place finish in the Big Ten. The team started the season ranked No. 10 in the national polls. It has not exactly continued in its preseason glory, though.

The Nittany Lions have collected mixed results in 2017-18. They posted notable wins (over No. 7 Minnesota) and the odd baffling loss (to perpetual Atlantic Hockey cellar-dweller American International). Over the course of the season they have dropped out of the polls entirely.

A contributing factor in those up and down results is the absence of sophomore Denis Smirnov. The skilled Russian was sensational as a freshman. He led all NCAA rookies in scoring last year with 47 points. Smirnov has been out since Halloween with an undisclosed illness. He is expected to return to action this week. It remains to be seen how the illness and the extended layoff will affect him.

Even with a major player like Smirnov sidelined, Penn State’s offense has been formidable. The Nittany Lions rank third in the nation in goals scored per game. Andrew Sturtz leads the squad in goals (8) and points (19). He is one of the country’s top 10 scorers.

Like Michigan, though PSU excels offensively, it is not strong defensively. The Nittany Lions’ D ranks all of forty-third in the nation. In goal the sophomore slump seems to have bitten Peyton Jones. His numbers are down to a 3.32 GAA and .883 save percentage.

The Buckeye defense should tip this series in favor of Ohio State. Smirnov's return could throw a wrench into the works, though. So could the Bucks' tendency to underperform at home. 

• Ohio State has info about the series' promotions, including Hockey Hour, ticket specials, and a postgame meet and greet.
• Check out pre-series interviews with Steve Rohlik, Mason Jobst, Matt Miller, and Tanner Laczynski. 
• Can't get enough of the Bucks' sweep at Michigan? Relive it here. 

No. 5 Buckeye Women vs. St. Cloud State

Last week the Buckeyes battled No. 9 Robert Morris to a split. They won by a landslide in the series opener. Then dropped a third period lead and fell in OT in the finale.

That surrendered third period lead soured the end of an otherwise respectable series. Unfortunately it is in keeping with an unpleasant trend. Ohio State allowed 2+ goals in only two of its first eight games. The Scarlet and Gray have now allowed 3+ goals in six of their last eight outings.

There doesn't seem to be an external cause for the defensive dip. The Bucks' competition hasn't really gotten any tougher. They faced both No. 5/6 Minnesota and a strong Duluth team in that first eight game stretch. 

But, while OSU's defense regains its legs, the team is still finding a way to win games. The overtime loss to Bobby Mo was only Ohio State’s third loss of the season. They have yet to drop a game to an unranked opponent (knock on wood).

The Buckeye defense could take a solid step in the right direction this week. OSU welcomes St. Cloud State to town. The Bucks' defenders dominated the first meeting between the teams this year. Ohio State posted back-to-back 4-0 shutout victories in the series sweep.

Since then the Huskies have gone 2-7-0 with wins over Minnesota State and, last time out, Bemidji State. (Interesting side note: those victories are the only two games all year in which St. Cloud has registered a power play goal.) No WCHA series is ever a gimme, but this is at least a match up that favors Ohio State.

• Here are pre-series interviews with reigning WCHA Rookie of the Week Tatum Skaggs and Buckeye defensive leader Jincy Dunne.