Sports
Ohio Hockey’s win streak comes to an end in shootout loss to Niagara
By: Ella Hughes
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The Ohio Bobcats’ six-game win streak was snapped when rival Niagara shocked them in a comeback shootout win. With both teams entering tonight’s game with something to prove this matchup was sure to impress.
Entering the first period, tensions were high following last night’s overtime thriller. Ohio was the first team to hit the back of the net when Gavin Keller, with help from Barron Stibbe, sent one home, 1-0. Just a minute later, Mathieu Ovaert added to the lead with the setup from Drake Albers and TJ Richey, 2-0.
The Bobcats would chase out Eagle goalie, Brady McEwan after he gave up two goals on the first three shots with Jacob Dubskiny coming into the game to provide relief. Soon after the goalie change Peter Spemani shot one past Garrett Alderman with assists from Tristan Taillefer and Louis Chabot, 2-1. The Cats came right back when Keller tallied his second of the night assisted by Jack Glen and Laker Aldridge, 3-1.
The second period started with a bang when Drake Albers found the back of the net to extend the Ohio lead to 4-1. However, the Eagles would not quit and were able to cut the lead in half with a goal from Austin Robinson, 4-2.
Tensions boiled over after Kevin Kasper scored Ohio’s fifth goal of the night with Cameron Shepheard taking exception and fists started to fly, both players were tossed from the game for fighting. The period would come to a close with Niagara cutting into Ohio’s lead, 5-3.
The third period started like the second as Luc Reeve extended the lead to three for the third time tonight, 6-3. However, the Purple Eagles continued to push back and Ohio started to play on their heels, Ben Macrobbie would do his part scoring Niagara’s fourth, 6-4.
This was the turning point of the period as Ohio wasn’t able to get any offense going. Halfway through the period, Spemani would net his second, pulling the game within one, 6-5. The Bobcats were playing frustrated and weren’t able to stop Niagara when Cullen McCormick tied the game at six forcing OT.
Overtime was filled with chances from both sides, but neither team was able to end the game. This game would have to end in a shootout. Each team scored on their first attempt. On the second attempt, Charlie Belanger would put one past Alderman, but Dubinsky would stop Luc Reeve. It all came down to this last shot: a save and the game continues, but if Niagara scores they walk away victorious. Taillefer would successfully send one past Alderman carrying the Purple Eagles to a 7-6 win.
Post-game, head coach Barry Schutte described what went wrong for his team: “I saw us playing not to lose versus playing to win. Again, we didn’t show enough fight, composure, or discipline. We lost ourselves in mindset and focus, and it showed in our play, and they capitalized on it.”
Ohio looks to get back in the win column next Friday in a top-five matchup against Liberty University. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. at Bird Ice Arena.