Sports
Ohio’s Laker Aldridge hits game-winner in 2-1 victory over Niagara
By: Payton Brooker
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The Ohio hockey team (12-7) came into Bird Arena looking to avenge the prior two losses to Niagara University (11-5) back in late October. The Bobcats were coming off a three-game winning streak before the break having big wins over Arizona State and Minot State.
On this night, Ohio would increase its streak to four straight as Bobcats would get the win in overtime, 2-1.
This matchup began as a close one from the very beginning, as these two teams were hard at work at getting the first goal of the game.
It would come in the late stages of the first period as Devin Sanders of Niagara would shoot it into the net for a shorthanded goal for the Purple Eagles.
The Bobcats were quick to respond as in just under two minutes in the second period, freshman Will Cohen would score to tie the game back up 1-1.
Grant Zell for the Purple Eagles had 30 saves while senior Justin Damon tailed 22 for the Bobcats.
The game came down to just the first few seconds of overtime as forward Laker Aldridge with help from Andrew Sacca and Luc Reeve scored the game-winning goal for the Bobcats getting his tenth goal for the season in the process.
With this win, the Bobcats moved to 12 wins for the season, but the work this week isn’t over yet. Ohio will have the chance to spilt the series with Niagra on Saturday night.
Head coach Lionel Maron said that this team needs to show out on these nights to continue their winning ways.
“I think we need to be composed with the puck,” he said. “I think we have a lot more in us that I see Monday through Thursday in practice. Now I need to see it on Friday and Saturday.”
Ohio will return to Bird Arena on December 2nd against Niagara at 7:00 p.m. in these two schools final time meeting this regular season.