Sports
Ohio Hockey wins eighth straight to start season over GVSU
By: Ella Hughes
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Ohio Hockey entered the game looking to continue their undefeated start to the season. Grand Valley State University was hoping to redeem themselves after a 7-2 loss in game one. The Bobcats did just that dominating with an 8-1 win Saturday night.
The first period started fast with the Bobcats tallying sixteen shots on goal half way through the period. Lakers’ goaltender Adrian Morales stood strong in the crease. The period was filled with back and forth action with both teams unable to capitalize on their chances. Ohio would have numerous high danger scoring chances that they weren’t able to find a way to convert on. The first would end tied at zero and the Bobcats outshooting the Lakers.
Physicality was high with both teams checking along the boards and remaining strong on the puck. The Bobcats would take two penalties resulting in a GVSU 5-3 power play but Scott Bird was solid in the crease for Ohio. Mathieu Ovaert would break open the scoring 13 minutes into the period with a backhand that went top-shelf, 1-0. Two minutes later Noah Holt was the next player to find the back of the net after sending the puck through Morales’ five-hole, 2-0. The third goal would come from the stick of Ovaert with eight minutes left in the frame assisted by Jack Glen.
Tensions would reach a boiling point shortly after the third goal when TJ Richey would be ejected for a major roughing penalty leaving the Bobcats shorthanded for five minutes. The penalty kill for the Bobcats was put to the test and GVSU’s Kamryn Hellman would send the puck past Bird, 3-1.
Hollander Thompson struck right back shorthanded with a beautiful shot to give the Bobcats back their three goal lead, 4-1. Fifty seconds left in the period a shot would bounce off the boards and off a Laker defenseman finding its way to the back of the net; the goal was credited to Ovaert giving him a hat-trick.
Scoring was the story of the night, Thompson would score his second of the game and the Bobcats sixth of the game. Ohio would be awarded with a power play and Will Cohen sent the puck over the line, 7-1. Blake Dustin decided he wanted to have some fun with forty seconds left, scoring the eighth goal of the night and closing the game out.
Ohio will look ahead to their top-ten matchup next week against Adrian College in a home and home series Thursday and Friday. The second game of the series will be played at Bird Ice Arena, Friday with puck drop at 7 p.m.