Sports
Ice Hockey: Ohio sweeps Iowa State
By: Justin Sampson, Ryan Boyd
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A lasting image of Saturday night's thriller was motivated by a player based over 1,300 miles from away.
Josh Fodor struck the "Tebow" pose, named for Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, after netting the decisive shot of the night.
It was a shot that looked like it may never come, as stifling defense ruled the early party of the game. But the wait was vindicated as it lifted the Bobcats to a 3-2 win over #5 Iowa State in the first shootout this season.
After falling by three goals to Ohio on Friday, Iowa State (14-3-1-2) came out with the intention of giving the 'Cats everything they could handle.
They succeeded, if only in that sense.
Ohio (14-4-0) was matched shot-for-shot for the first time at Bird Arena this season in a scoreless first period.
Brett Agnew tallied the first score in the second off a one-timer from Fodor. Cyclones goalie Peter Alexander had hit the deck in anticipation for Fodor's shot, leaving a wide open target for Agnew.
That strike, his eleventh of the year, sent the 'Cats into the final frame with a slim advantage.
It was a lead they would carry just over two minutes into the the third as Trevor Lloyd went top corner on Fedor Dushkin to knot the game at 1-1.
Six minutes later, James Buttermore gave the Cyclones a 2-1 advantage with eight goal of the year.
With time ticking away on Ohio's perfect home record, the 'Cats sent a flurry of attacks on Iowa State's freshman netminder. It took until the 5:13 mark, but Michael Schultz eventually fired the equalizer past a series of defenders.
That led to a furious final five minutes in regulation, yet neither squad could get over the hump. The 'Cats would see their first extra frame this year.
Overtime brought more seesaw action, leading to a head injury to Alexander as he got caught by an Ohio skate.
He skated to the bench in favor of fellow freshman, Jared Anderson, making his fourth appearance for the Cyclones. Ohio couldn't capitalize on the youngster, who slapped away five shots to end overtime.
Sixty-five minutes of electric saves earned both goaltenders one final test: a shootout.
The first two Cyclone attempts were sent away by Dushkin before Zack Barbis took the ice on Ohio's second opportunity. He buried it to give the 'Cats the one-goal advantage.
Jake Rombach kept Iowa State's hopes alive by retaliating on the next shot. But it was Fodor who scored the second goal for Ohio in the shootout to seal the sweep over the Cyclones.
It marked the third shootout for Iowa State and their second defeat this year.
Dushkin picked up his tenth win of the year, putting him one behind the mark for most wins in the ACHA.
Ohio now travels to Wheeling, WV to face West Chester next Friday.
Stay tuned to ohiobobcatshockey.com for updates leading up to the contest.