Frustration lingering for hockey team

by Matt Bixenstine
Staff Writer

The Ohio hockey team's recent frustration lessened following one of its most impressive victories of the season, only to return with greater fury with one of its most disappointing losses.

The Bobcats split a weekend home series with Saint Louis (8-7), winning 8-2 Friday, but blowing a four-goal lead in Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss.

Forward Ryan Walicki said No. 8 Ohio (7-7-2) needs to shake its Jekyll and Hyde-like tendencies.

"That's a perfect metaphor for this team," he said. "One night we're here and the next we're not. It's mental; we take nights off. Right now we're looking for answers."

Ohio enjoyed diverse scoring production in Friday's rout, with eight different Bobcats netting the puck. None of the scorers were Frank Kubas, Tony Arkeilpane or Zac Hernandez the team's leading scorers.

Among the goal-scorers were forward Russ Scurto, who has missed significant time this season after suffering a concussion, forward Dennis Belkin, who scored for the first time since notching a hat trick in his first game as a Bobcat and forward Brian Roberts, who ended a season-long scoring drought.

"(Friday) night it showed that everyone here can play hockey; we don't have to rely on a couple scorers." Scurto said.

But Friday’s success faded when Ohio surrendered four unanswered goals Saturday after going up 4-0 seven minutes into the second period. No. 12 Saint Louis scored midway through the five-minute sudden death overtime for the win.

Roberts said Ohio needs to develop consistency if the team is to string together a winning streak.

"The effort level was definitely there," he said. "We played hard, passionate hockey. We just have trouble putting together two solid games in a row. We need to start playing six periods of hockey a weekend."

Walicki compared the team's inconsistency to something to which most of his fellow students could relate.

"We're not always there mentally," he said. "It's like trying to concentrate for two-hour classes.”"

The Bobcats were forced to play Saturday without Kubas and defenseman Brad Krolak. Both were ejected from Friday's game after receiving a game disqualification and game misconduct, respectively. Both players were then suspended for Saturday's game at the referee's discretion.

But both players will be back when the Bobcats battle Washington and Jefferson at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in Bird Arena.