Sports
Ohio Hockey sweep Maryville to remain undefeated at home
By: Ella Hughes
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB)– It was another aggressive battle tonight between No. 2 ranked Ohio Bobcats (10-1) and the No. 10 ranked Maryville Saints (5-7). The Bobcats would pull out another close win 3-1 with Lance Mengel scoring the game winner.
It was clear from the drop of the puck that tensions between the teams had started to reach a boiling point with hits being thrown left and right. With Parker Sawka starting for the second night in a row it was crucial for the Bobcats to get pucks on net early. They did just that when seven minutes in, Barron Stibbe sent one top-shelf giving Ohio a one goal lead.
A quick response from Maryville was going to be important considering the playoff-like energy of the game. Just 30 seconds after the Bobcat goal, Logan Walker would sneak one by Matt Zazon tying the game 1-1. The story of the first was special teams with players from both Maryville and Ohio taking numerous penalties leaving their teams shorthanded.
The second period was very similar to the first with both teams leveling hits in key moments. TJ Richey and Barron Stibbe would set up Lance Mengel for the go-ahead Ohio goal seventeen minutes left in the period. Penalty trouble continued to plague the Bobcats and Zazon would make key saves to maintain the lead.
The final period started right where the second left off with big scoring chances from both teams. Zazon came up big with late stops on a Saints power play to keep the Bobcats up 2-1. Will Cohen would add cushion to the Ohio lead scoring a goal late in the period, 3-1.
Ohio moves onto the Chicago Showcase where they’ll take on three ranked opponents, one of which being the University of Las Vegas Nevada who are the reigning ACHA DI Champions.
“It’s about everyone in that room,” said head coach Barry Schutte on the tournament. “We’re playing for each other.”