Sports
Ohio Hockey: Bobcats Show Aggressive Side In Win Over Robert Morris
By: Ben Wielgopolski
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The Ohio hockey team looked to add to their 9-2 record against the Robert Morris Illinois Eagles. The Eagles were quick to defend from the start of the game, but that changed as time went on. The Bobcats held on and came away with a 3-1 win over Robert Morris Friday night.
The first period was passive for Ohio as their capitalization on opportunities lacked. The game was scoreless the entire period as both teams fought to gain an edge.
“We’re playing passive, and I want the guys to stop gliding, and start striding more,” Head coach Sean Hogan said. “We can dictate the pace of play when we’re striding.”
A flip of the switch and a whole new game appeared in the second period. The Bobcats and Eagles threw themselves into the game with a whole new level of intensity. That intensity allowed Bobcat Scott Bagby to set up his teammate Thomas Pokorney for a goal that gave them more energy to push on.
“It’s a mindset, we have to stay on pucks and hunt pucks,” Hogan said.
Penalties were the talk in the stands in the period as both teams picked up two a piece due to the increased aggression on the forechecks. Ohio forward Bryan Lubin had both of his teams’ penalties, a two-minute minor for cross-checking, and another minor for slashing. Robert Morris forward, Anthony Dahlberg was called for a roughing minor early on as well.
A change in Ohio’s defense was noticeable from the first to second period as goalie James Thomas protected the net — the Eagles were unable to score in the period. The Bobcats looked for some breathing room in the period. They couldn’t find it, but they were able to hold off until the buzzer.
The third period brought more shots, checks and penalties as the aggression increased. Bobcat Shawn Baird picked up a roughing minor which added one more penalty to the teams five already. Most of which came from post-whistle scraps after some intense plays.
Robert Morris was not out of the picture yet. Forward Sam Turner added one onto the board to tie it up 1-1 early in the third period. But, the looks for breathing room paid off for Ohio as they battled back. Gianni Evangelisti dangled through two Eagle defensemen to put the puck in the net with a backhand goal behind the goalie. Ohio lead 2-1 midway through the third.
Evangelisti remained in the spotlight as he set Pokorney up for a wrist shot goal just inside the offensive zone which found the net. Ohio was up 3-1 for the remainder of the game. The Bobcats are now 10-2 this season and will take on Robert Morris again on Saturday Dec. 1st.