Hockey team regroups after layoff

by Paul Shugar
Staff Writer

The fourth-ranked Ohio club hockey team (10-4-3) might have ended 2000 on a bad note, but the Bobcats have returned to school ready to show Ohio State (3-8-1) their New Year's resolutions.

"We need to get the train back on track and rebound this week," forward Mike Perino said.

Ohio derailed on a road trip in the first few weeks of winter break when the team dropped back-to-back games to Illinois 4-3 and Iowa State 5-3. The road-weary Bobcats then went on to tie St. Louis.

Coach Craig McCarthy said traveling long hours, playing two teams ranked in the top ten in less than 12 hours and committing untimely penalties kept the Bobcats out of the win column, but the break did his team good.

"We had a deserved break in the fact that we had to travel a lot in the fall and it is always fun for us to play at home," he said. "We have the makings of a good team, but we have a lot of work ahead of us in these last few months, and I think the players are excited to be back and play."

The Bobcats spent most of the fall on the road while Bird Arena renovations were being finished and now have the next six games at home.

Ohio State is a good team for the Bobcats to rebound against. Last year the club hockey Division I Bobcats blew out the Division II Buckeyes, winning one of the two games 18-0.

McCarthy said even though Ohio State is in a lower division Ohio will have to bring its best game.

"The Division II thing is deceptive," he said. "Ohio State has had some good teams and some bad ones, so we're not sure what to expect."

The Bobcats had the long break to heal their bumps and bruises, but forwards Ryan Walicki and Brian Roberts both will be suspended Friday because of infractions in the game against St. Louis.

McCarthy said good defensive zone coverage and staying out of the penalty box will be key for Ohio.

"Everyone needs to stay within the team system and just play good team defense this weekend," Perino said.

Forward Jamie Crowley said the team also has to be more focused than they were on the road trip where the Bobcats found themselves in holes early in the game.

"We have to have more determination," he said. "The mental part of the game has to be there, and we have to be ready to play when the puck drops."

Mental lapses could be a problem with a team that has not played a hockey game in more than a month, but McCarthy said he likes the look of his team in practice.

"They really looked quite sharp and just excited to be back," he said.

The Bobcats also have the added excitement of the grand re-opening of Bird Arena, and new jerseys and gloves to help fuel their excitement along with the natural rivalry between Ohio State and Ohio.

Perino said the team just wants to get back to their winning ways.

"We just have to go out and do our best and play up to the level we are capable of," Perino said. "Losing is a disease, but coach will get us back in shape."

Ohio plays Ohio State at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Bird Arena.