Sports

Ohio Hockey Sweeps Eastern Michigan, Stays Undefeated

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Ohio club hockey finished a weekend sweep of Eastern Michigan with a 9-1 victory Saturday night.  The Bobcats (4-0) had no struggle with Eastern Michigan (0-2), outscoring the Eagles 13-1 throughout the series.

Ohio dominated all game, but really came to life in the third period.  The ‘Cats entered the third period up 4-1 and then tacked on five more goals.  Senior defenseman Tyler Pecka contributed two goals and two assists in the period.  Ohio scored three goals in a minute-and-a-half at one point.

The game’s physicality also came at a highpoint in the third period.  The gloves came off immediately after Michael Harris’ power play goal to increase Ohio’s lead to 5-1.  Ohio’s Patrick Spellacy and Eastern Michigan’s Tony Gasser scuffled, leading to Gasser’s disqualification and removal from the game for spearing.

The Eagles had kept the Bobcats close in the first period despite the blowout.  Ohio’s Alex Vazquez scored his first goal as a Bobcat, but the Eagles’ Zach Willis responded with his own goal just 19 seconds later to tie the game at 1-1.  With slightly over two minutes left in the first, freshman Matt Rudin scored to give the Bobcats a 2-1 lead.

Ohio didn’t look back after that first period and never had to.  The Bobcats had control of the puck all game and outshot Eastern Michigan 59-13.  Ohio goalie Ryan Heltion stopped 12 of 13 Eastern Michigan shots and received the win while Eastern Michigan’s Jacob Mulka stopped 50 shots, but still gave up the nine goals.

Eastern Michigan shot itself in the foot with handling of penalty minutes, allowing four power play goals, including three in the third period.  Two Eagles starters, Luke Dmytro and Tony Gasser, were disqualified and Eastern Michigan couldn’t recover.  In total, Eastern Michigan had 12 infractions for 66 minutes.  Ohio had 13 infractions for 50 minutes, but was able to stay in the advantage with power plays.

Ohio’s Tyler Pecka had two goals and was joined at the top with fellow Bobcat Harris who also had two goals.  Bryan Lubin lopped on three assists for the Green and White.  Lubin and Pecka are second on the team in goals with three apiece.

On Friday the Bobcats begin a home and away series with West Virginia (3-3).  Friday’s game will be at Bird Arena while Saturday’s contest will be Ohio’s first away game of the year at West Virginia’s Morgantown Ice Arena.