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[Maddie Kiefer | WOUB]

Ohio extends win streak to six with thrilling 4-3 overtime victory against rival Niagara 

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB)– The Ohio Bobcats extended their season long win streak to six Friday night with an impressive win over conference rival the Niagara Purple Eagles. Luc Reeve scored the game winner tying Mathieu Ovaert for the team lead in goals with nine, and leading the Bobcats to a 4-3 overtime victory. There was a special energy in the arena tonight for Military Appreciation Night with the Bobcats repping custom camo jerseys.   

The first period was off to a slow but physical start. It was clear by the play on ice that these two teams did not get along. Pucks and bodies were flying across the ice with each team grinding to score first. Both teams entered the locker room after the first with the game tied at zero.  

Similar to its last game, Ohio gave up a goal in the first minute of the second period as Peter Spemani sent the puck flying over Scott Bird’s shoulder, 1-0 Niagara. The Purple Eagles were unrelenting, not allowing the Bobcats to move the puck into high danger areas. The second period would end with Niagara holding onto their one goal lead.  

The Bobcats showed up to the third period when Noah Holt found the back of the net a minute and a half into the period, 1-1. Ohio didn’t take their foot off the gas because just twenty seconds later Hollander Thompson snuck one under Brady McEwan’s blocker, 2-1. With two goals to start the period, Ohio hoped to carry the momentum to the finish line, but Niagara was not backing down.  

The Purple Eagles came right back when Charlie Belanger ripped one top shelf over Bird’s shoulder assisted by Jakob Kalin, 2-2. The third period was back and forth with both teams attempting to close this one out. Laker Aldridge and Luc Reeve found  

Spencer Schons alone in front of the net and Schons didn’t miss the opportunity to give the Bobcats the lead, 3-2 with four minutes left.  

Ohio Hockey swarming Luc Reeve after scoring the OT winner vs Niagara.
Ohio Hockey swarming Luc Reeve after scoring the OT winner vs Niagara. [Lindsey Crawford | WOUB Public Media]
Niagara pulled their goalie with three minutes to go and were generating big chances to tie the game. Ohio struggled to close, however, missing the empty net too many times which gave the Purple Eagles the chance to come back. With twenty-three seconds left when Adam Sojka tied the game forcing it into overtime.

Overtime started with the first three minutes filled with back and forth action. Two minutes left in OT, Reeve won a defensive zone face-off and carried the puck up the ice around defenders. Reeve moved to the outside pulling the puck back in sending it home for the game winner, 4-3.  

Grit and perseverance were a massive part of tonight’s matchup, post-game, OT hero Reeve talked about what helped him find the back of the net, “I got a little down on myself but my teammates really helped me out, Tommy over my shoulder he kinda yelled at me and told me that I got one more in me and then I went out in OT and scored.” 

Saturday night the Bobcats will look to extend their six game heater to seven, while the Purple Eagles look to upset their rival, puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.