Hockey starts the New Year early

by Matt Bixenstine
Staff Writer
matthew.bixenstine@ohiou.edu

Most Americans just finished celebrating the New Year, but the Ohio hockey team could not wait until Jan. 1 to make its resolution.

After completing a 1-5 road trip in mid-November and blowing a 4-0 lead to lose to Saint Louis 5-4 the following weekend, the listless Bobcats vowed to start anew.

"After the Saint Louis weekend, we decided to look at the next weekend (against Washington and Jefferson) as a new season, a fresh start," forward Sean Gallagher said. "We needed to work harder to change the outlook for the team."

The new outlook reinvigorated the Bobcats as they swept series against Washington and Jefferson and Iowa State.

Ohio then returned to Bird Arena last weekend and downed ACHA opponent West Virginia 3-1 Friday and 2-1 Saturday.

Strong goaltending and three goals by Zac Hernandez extended Ohio's winning streak to six games. Gallagher added a goal and an assist for Ohio (13-7-2).

"We started the season well and then took a nose dive," Ohio coach Dan Morris said. "Saint Louis was a turning point for us because it humbled these guys."

Against the Mountaineers, the Bobcats dominated possession in both games, out-shooting West Virginia 101 to 28 for the weekend. The scores were close because of West Virginia goalie Jon Natonick, who saved 95 of Ohio's shots.

However, goalies Lowell Franko and Trevor Rodgers stymied all but one of West Virginia's shots apiece to not be outdone.

"Trevor comes to every practice and works real hard even though he knows he won't start many games,"Hernandez said. "He was kind of like Rudy in getting a chance to play and making the most of it. Kudos to him."

Rodgers got a chance because the flu forced several of Ohio's key components to miss the weekend, including goalie Brian Gallagher, forward Frank Kubas and defenseman Nick Bilanow.

"We're definitely not 100 percent with the flu going around," Morris said. "But it's better to get it now than later."

That is because a showdown with top-ranked Penn State awaits the Bobcats next weekend. Though Penn State beat Ohio twice in October at State College, Pa., the Bobcats expressed optimism heading into the rematch at Bird Arena.

"Home ice advantage is huge," Gallagher said. "Our small rink makes their speed less effective. Certainly the sweep over Iowa State gives us a level of confidence. We need to play our game and not be intimidated."

The Bobcats welcome Penn State at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in Bird Arena.

Ohio 3, West Virginia 2

Scoring--First Period: Hernandez (OU)-17:19.  Second Period: S. Gallagher (OU)-3:34, Breckman (WV)-13:23.  Third Period: Arkeilpane (OU)-19:26.

Shots: Ohio 48-16.  Penalty Minutes: West Virginia 8-6.

Ohio 2, West Virginia 1

Scoring--First Period: Hernandez (OU)-12:28, Smith (WV)-9:09.  Second Period: Hernandez (OU)-16:58.

Shots: Ohio 53-12.  Penalty Mintues: West Virginia 10-8.

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