Sports
Hollander Thomson scores late, Ohio Hockey extends home win streak to 10
By: Ella Hughes
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB)– No. 2 ranked Ohio Hockey (14-1) would defend their nine game home winning streak against No. 10 ranked Maryville (5-7). The Saints and Bobcats would play a close game but Ohio would come away with the win 2-1 after a late goal by Hollander Thompson.
The first period started out with momentum swinging Maryville’s way with the Saints outshooting the Bobcats 5-0 in the first five minutes. Chances were there for both teams but goaltenders Parker Sawka and Garrett Alderman made key saves in the blue paint. Physicality was a presence all night with the Saints dominating puck battles along the boards. The first period would end in a 0-0 tie with Ohio being outshot for the first time at home this year.
To start the second period, Ohio dominated in the offensive zone spending most of their time in front of the Maryville net. The Bobcats weren’t able to capitalize on key chances in front of the Saints net missing wide open shots. Their luck would turn with 12 minutes left in the period, when Laker Aldridge would send one over Sawka’s shoulder putting the Bobcats up 1-0.
Maryville would turn the heat up with quality chances Alderman would leave his five-hole open to Luke Macleod who tied the game with six minutes left in the second. The back-and-forth would continue throughout the period with each team trying to break free.
The energy was high entering the third with the atmosphere similar to that of a playoff game. Puck battles along the boards and face-offs would play a key role in the outcome of tonight’s game. Tensions would continue to rise with post whistle scrums breaking out consistently.
Everything would come to a head in the final minute of play with both the Saints and Bobcats trying to end this game in regulation. With 42 seconds left to play Hollander Thompson would tip the puck into the net giving Ohio the 2-1 lead. A big defensive zone face-off win from the Bobcats would end this game 2-1.
With their victory tonight, the Bobcats now hold a 10-game winning streak at home to start the year. Ohio and Maryville cap off their weekend series with a 7 p.m. puck drop at Bird Arena this Saturday.