Hockey Bucks Host Gophers with Chance to Clinch Big Ten Title

Six games remain in the regular season for No. 2/3 Ohio State. Four are home games including this week’s series against Minnesota. There’s a lot on the line for the Buckeyes who are looking to both extend their seven-game win streak and claim the Big Ten championship. 

Only three challengers can still catch the conference-leading Bucks. (I think. Math is really not my strong suit.) One is Michigan, currently situated in second place. Another is third place Notre Dame. The last is, weirdly enough, fifth place Penn State. 

The Wolverines have four conference games left and a possible point total of 42. Ohio State already has 41 points. The Buckeyes only need two more points (at least a pair of ties or a single shootout win) in their next six games to eliminate Michigan from the picture. 

The Irish and Nittany Lions are a bit more troubling. They each have six B1G games remaining. Notre Dame has a point potential of 46. Penn State can rise as high as 44 points. OSU needs six more points to ensure the team outdistances the Irish and four to clear PSU.

If the Bucks sweep this week or everyone splits their series, then the Scarlet and Gray take the Big Ten crown. If the Bucks split (or worse) and either Penn State or Notre Dame sweeps, then the celebration is on hold. Ohio State's next opportunity to clinch would be next week at Michigan.  

Should the Buckeyes succeed in locking up the title, they will become the third different Big Ten champ in the league’s six seasons. They will also be only the second OSU squad in the program’s 56-year history to earn a regular season conference championship. (The 1971-72 Bucks claimed a share of the inaugural CCHA title.) 

Looking to halt the Bucks’ win streak and delay their championship celebration is Minnesota. The Gophers come to Columbus fresh off a stinging 7-2, 6-2 sweep at the hands of Penn State. It’s been a tough first season under new head coach Bob Motzko. Without a big surge in the final weeks, Minnesota is on pace to post only its second losing season of the century. 

The Gophers have been bleeding goals. In seven of their last eight games, they have surrendered four or more goals against. They managed only two wins over that stretch, a 9-4 beatdown of Wisconsin and a 4-3 decision against Michigan. Both victories came at home. 

As uninspiring as the defense has been, Minnesota still has some teeth on offense. Junior Rem Pitlick and senior Tyler Sheehy are both point-per-game players. Sheehy logs nearly a point and a half per conference game. Both players rank among the Big Ten leaders in every offensive statistical category. They head up a stellar set of special teams. The Gophers lead the Big Ten in both power play (30.4%) and penalty kill (88.1%) success. 

The visitors could pose a problem for the Buckeyes who aren’t as efficient on special teams. Steve Rohlik expects those units to play a key role in the outcome of this series. “Down the stretch, usually the team that wins special teams is going to win the game,” noted the Buckeye coach. “I think that’s probably going to be the same this weekend.” 

“We had two good games against them [earlier this season], basically two ties,” said Rohlik. “When it comes down to it, it’s a bounce or two. We were fortunate to get the extra points. We know we’ve got to be better this weekend against a really good hockey team.” 

But, according to Rohlik, one thing the Buckeyes aren’t concerned about this week is the Big Ten title race. “Our team’s focused on Friday night against Minnesota,” declared the coach. “And that’s it.”

• Friday is Military Appreciation Night at the Schott with the Bucks donning special jerseys which will be auctioned for charity after the game. 
• Saturday is First Responder Appreciation Night. The annual First Responder Faceoff takes place before the game begins. Get your tickets here.