Ohio unable to avoid ninth split series
By William Strome, Staff Writer
January 22, 2008 | 7:31 p.m.
After prevailing in an overtime thriller on Friday night, the Bobcats’ river of momentum ran dry on Saturday against the visiting No. 17 Western Michigan Stallions.
After stealing a win from Western Michigan (17-10-2) in a shootout, 2-1, Ohio (10-6 CSCHL, 18-11) split their ninth series of the season Saturday night following a dismantling 5-2 loss.
“We were slow,” said Coach Dan Morris. “They cut off the middle so we had to play more conservatively on the outside. They didn’t even use their entire bench and we still couldn’t score.”
The Bobcats were tamed by the Stallions early on Saturday night, falling behind 3-0 before the end of the first period. A little over 12 minutes into the second period, Bobcat freshman Billy Hemann found the back of the net to deny the Stallions any hopes of a shutout inside Bird Arena. Three minutes and 50 seconds later, Ryan Tallon recaptured the three goal margin for Western Michigan, giving the Stallions a 4-1 lead heading into the final period.
With only 1:28 to play, Dave Fitzgerald scored his team-leading 16th goal of the year to cut the Stallion lead in half. Only 24 seconds later, the Stallions put the icing on the cake with an empty net goal by Michael Podelnyk, his second goal of the game.
The 'Cats summed up their play Saturday in one word:
“Flat,” junior defenseman Max Malone said. “It wasn’t anything they were doing, we just weren’t playing our best hockey.”
On Friday night, however, the Bobcats looked like a completely different team. Despite a scoreless first and second period, Ohio shelled the Stallions' junior goalie Trevor Heffernan with 39 shots on the night. The Bobcats would out-shoot the Stallion, 39-21, prior to the shootout. With 4:31 left in regulation the scoreless tie was broken by Aaron Moss, who lifted the Stallions to a one goal lead. The Bobcats wouldn’t back down however, and J.J. Plutt knotted the game at one with only 2:26 left to play.
With neither team able to capitalize in overtime, the shootout was underway. Western Michigan failed to convert on their first attempt, giving Malone the chance to give Ohio an early lead.
Malone put the puck past Heffernan and when the Stallions failed to score on their second try, Brandon Fackey made a highlight-reel juke leaving the right side of the goal wide open for an easy score.
“It was a move I’d been saving for the right time,” said Fackey, the sophomore forward.
The Stallions missed on their third opportunity, leaving Fitzgerald with a chance to be the Bobcats' savior. Followed by a bench-clearing celebration and a roaring arena, Fitzgerald sealed the Bobcats' much-needed conference win at home with the final tally in the shootout.
“That win was big but we couldn’t take care of them the next night,” Morris said. “We have three things we need to work on: speed, skill, and conditioning. You better believe we will be focusing on just those three things all week.”
Team Notes
Ohio travels to No. 1 and undefeated Illinois Friday and Saturday.
Ohio beat Illinois twice last season at home (3-2, 2-0).
Bobcat goalie Paul Marshall was pulled at the end of the first period on Saturday night for Chris Carlson after allowing three goals.
Marshall is averaging 2.22 goals against per game.
Coach Morris did not say which goalie will start next weekend.
The Bobcats are tied for third in the CSCHL with Kent State, behind Illinois and No. 3 Lindenwood.
Ohio is 3-0 in shootouts this season.