Bobcats split series at KSU
By William Strome, Staff Writer
January 8, 2008 | 4:33 p.m.
Ohio hockey split its second two-game road series this weekend, this time against rival conference foe No. 13 Kent State University.
The Bobcats fell on Friday, 4-3, but would bounce back the following night, 4-2, with big games out of Brandon Fackey and Brett Molnar.
Fackey contributed on both of the first two scores for Ohio on Saturday, an assist on Tom Ciaverilla's goal over eight minutes into the game and an unassisted goal with six minutes left in the second period. Molnar on the other hand, assisted on the pinnacle goal of the series for Ohio, right-winger Ryan Tessmer's third-period goal to break the tie at 12:07 and change the momentum back into the hands of the Bobcats. Molnar, like Fackey, assisted Ciaverilla's first score of the game.
Friday night did not start out as planned for the Bobcats (4-2, 3-1) however. Within the first 10 minutes of the game, Ohio found themselves in a 3-0 hole that would prove to be insurmountable. Assistant captain Dave Fitzgerald scored first for the Bobcats with 8:02 left in the first period on an assist from Steve Osacky. Nonetheless, down multiple goals at intermission was far from ideal.
It appeared the game was looking brighter for the 'Cats but only briefly. Ciaverilla assisted Fackey on a Bobcat goal with over 11 minutes left in the second period but the Golden Flashes put the icing on the cake with their fourth goal of the game scored with under six minutes to play in the period. Despite an Ohio goal scored by Jeff Jepson and Ciaverilla's second assist of the night, Kent State (3-1, 1-1) held on for the win and a truly disappointing way for the Bobcats to start off the series.
"We've had some trouble getting off to a good start," right winger Brandon Fackey said. "You just have to battle through it. We feel like we won 50 out of the 60 minutes but in that 10 minute span we were just outplayed."
Ohio spent a total of 30 minutes in the penalty box, double the amount of time Kent State had to sit for their six penalties. Ten of the 30 minutes came from center Grady Clingan and right winger Jim Roach’s five minute majors for checking from behind, 3:44 apart from one another in the second period.
"Penalties were a huge part of the loss," Fackey said. "We are an aggressive team but we have to play disciplined."
Saturday was a nice change of pace from the night before, in virtually every category. Most notably and importantly, the scoring category.
Instead of falling behind by multiple goals, Ohio changed it up and took a 2-0 lead halfway through the second period. After Fackey's goal, former Ohio Bobcat and forward Eddie Martin converted the next two Golden Flashes goals and shifting the momentum into the hands of Kent State. Martin played only six games in the 2004-2005 season for the Bobcats with minimal playing time.
Two minutes and 30 seconds following Martin's second goal, Tessmer netted what would prove to be the game winner with a little help from Molnar and Jeff Jepson on the assist. With 24 seconds left in the game, senior and assistant captain Jim Fuhs put the game out of reach with a goal set up by defenseman David Moyer.
"That was a huge goal that gave us the lead," Fackey said. "Even though they tied it up we were able to rally and that's what gave us the win."
Ohio returns home on Oct. 12 and 13 to host the defending National Champions No. 3 Oakland. The puck will drop at 7:30 p.m. inside Bird Arena.
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