Sports
Ohio Advances to ACHA Semifinals with Win Over Stony Brook
By: Mary Ryznar
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Ohio Hockey has progressed to the ACHA semifinals after defeating Stony Brook University 3-2 in the quarterfinals on Sunday. Even while having a target on their back all season, the Bobcats still have had their eyes fixed on one goal and that is to bring home an ACHA title.
Coming off an easy 13-1 win against Oklahoma University on March 10, Ohio was put to the test playing against a team that showed better defense, speed, and shooting while facing their unfamiliar opponent, No. 11 Stony Brook.
However, the Bobcats were not shy in putting up a fight. With the score tied 2-2 with 6:51 remaining in the third period, a puck off the stick off Patrick Spellacy appeared to give Ohio the lead but the referees did not immediately signal a goal. Spellacy passed the puck to Gianni Evangelisti who shot the puck, which was deflected off of Stony Brook’s goalkeeper. Spellacy was able to get his stick on the rebound and took a shot that appeared to be a goal, but the net moved from the hinges. However, the puck did indeed make its way into the goal and after a video review the goal was declared valid, giving Ohio their third and final goal, the game-winner.
The ‘Cats started off by taking the lead after Spellacy scored the first Ohio goal just seconds into the first period and after that the score remained the same until Tom Pokorney slid one in right after to give the bobcats a 2-0 lead. It was not until the second period that the Seawolves finally put a goal on the board. Ohio not only saw more shooting from Stony Brook than they did with Oklahoma, but more aggressive defense.
Ohio will continue to play in the tournament on Monday (March 13) when they play Adrian College in the semifinals at 5 p.m. at the Ice Haus in downtown Columbus.