Sports
Ohio Hockey splits series with third-ranked Liberty after overtime loss
By: Lindsey Crawford
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Coming off an exciting 5-2 win against Liberty the night prior, the Ohio Bobcats came back to the ice to face off against the Flames once again. With Ohio’s own Parker Navarro there to drop the puck, energy was high in the Bird Ice Arena.
The Bobcats started the game by lighting the ice on fire, displaying the same, if not more, intensity and grit than the night prior. Just under three minutes into the game, Ohio Captain Jack Glen decided to set an example for his teammates, sliding the puck just past the goal line. However, it would not take long for the Flames to find their rhythm, matching the Bobcats with Jackson Vercellono tying the game halfway through the first. With just a minute left, freshman TJ Richey thought it would be the perfect moment to tally his first goal as a Bobcat. Ohio would end the period leading 2-1.
Throughout the second, Ohio and Liberty both showcased their strong, aggressive, and defensive play, with players being sent into the boards and even going airborne. Tensions would run high with just a minute left in the second, as team leader in penalty minutes, Drake Albers, would be sent to the box for dragging a Liberty player to the ice. The Bobcats would end the period holding steady, still leading 2-1.
The gridlock would last long into the third, with both teams determined to outperform the other. At the one-minute mark, Liberty took out their goalie in exchange for some six-on-five play, in hopes of tying the score. To the Bobcats dismay, the Flames last ditch effort worked, as Liberty’s Truett Olson found the back of the net with just 30 seconds left in regulation. With so little time left in the period, the Bobcats were unable to score again, sending the game into three-on-three overtime.
In OT, Liberty clinched the win with a goal by Mason Smith and tied the series with Ohio 1-1.
Although a tough match-up all around, the teams were able to put their differences aside to end the game together in prayer.
Liberty will be back home in Lynchburg to take on Pitt for a Valentine’s Day match-up.
Ohio will be back in Bird Arena on Feb. 15 to host Minot State for Senior Night and their final home games of the season. After splitting the series with Minot back in October, the Bobcats look to improve their skills in hopes of finishing the job this time around.
“Overall, our focus is trying to be our best self individually, so we can show up and be our best self collectively,” said Coach Schutte. “That’s our conversation moving forward, and next week it will be no different.”