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[Craig Neal | WOUB]

Ohio Hockey remains undefeated at home after 11-2 win against Illinois State

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB)– A sold out Dads Weekend crowd at Bird Ice Arena had front row seats to a weekend filled with scoring. The Ohio Bobcats defeated the Illinois State Redbirds 11-2 Saturday night to sweep the weekend series.  

The first period started off in usual Bobcat fashion with fast play and pucks flying at Redbird goaltender Cole Walter. Hollander Thompson would open the scoring with a shot that went over Walter’s blocker side with 15 minutes left in the period. Just twenty seconds later, Alex Mazzuca with some help from Kevin Kasper would also sneak one across the blue line, 2-0.  

The back-and-forth action would continue with Illinois State challenging the Bobcats in their own zone. Eventually the Redbirds would have some puck luck of their own, cutting the lead in half with a goal from Robin Kuusik, 2-1 four minutes remaining. Their luck would be short lived when two minutes later captain Jack Glen would give the Ohio back the two goal lead, 3-1. The Bobcats didn’t take their foot off the gas when Luc Reeve scored his first of the night assisted by Brady Gilbert and Laker Aldridge, 4-1.  

Ohio Hockey forward Hollander Thompson forechecking against Illinois State.
Ohio Hockey forward Hollander Thompson forechecking against Illinois State. [Mia Feeback | WOUB Public Media]
It was a slower start to the second period with both teams working along the boards fighting for offensive-zone time. Ohio would be the team to capitalize when Barron Stibbe scored following a two-on-one with Nolan Abraham, 5-1. Halfway through the period Will Cohen would bank in his own rebound extending the Bobcat lead to five. The Redbirds did their best to limit the Bobcats o-zone time but were unsuccessful. Thompson would net his second of the night making it 7-1 Ohio. The last play of the period was a Kevin Kasper goal to round out another four goal frame for the Bobcats.  

Illinois State was looking to shut down the Bobcat offense in the third period and keep the puck out of the back of their net. Walter was giving up critical rebounds in the crease with loose pucks constantly cluttering the blue paint. Nolan Abraham would open the scoring in the third with the ninth Ohio goal of the night. Laker Aldridge decided he wanted to take part in the scoring festivities and would knock one past Walter, 10-1.  

The Redbirds would finally maintain possession in the offensive zone and would capitalize on a late chance with Will Tricarico scoring, 10-2. Frustrations from Illinois State would continue to rise with big hits and post whistle scrums getting chippy. Two minutes left in the game and Cohen would net his second of the night, ending the game with a final score of 11-2.  

“I was proud of the guys and the way they played tonight,” said head coach Barry Schutte. “Overall they showed a bunch of character from the beginning of the game all the way to the end.” 

Ohio looks to remain undefeated next weekend with a two-game series against Kent State.