Sports
Drake Albers scores three points in Ohio Hockey’s 5-2 win over No. 1 Niagara
By: Andrew Bowlby
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – Two weeks ago Ohio Hockey (16-3-0) was the top team in the ACHA. After a pair of losses in Chicago, the Bobcats dropped in the rankings to No. 3. But they had a chance to get back to the top spot when they hosted No. 1 Niagara (15-1-0) on Friday night.
Ohio dominated possession all game and won the series opener 5-2.
Friday’s matchup marked the first of four meetings between the two teams during the 2025-26 season. It was also Ohio’s sixth-consecutive game against a top ten opponent and 10th on the season.
The Bobcats got off to a quick start and controlled play early on. Ohio had a sequence where they generated three-straight high quality looks but Niagara goaltender Jacob Dubinsky made all three saves to keep the game scoreless.
Niagara opened the scoring a few minutes later when the Purple Eagles’ leading scorer Charlie Belanger buried a shot in close. Niagara’s 1-0 lead midway through the first was the only one they would hold in the game.
The Purple Eagles generated another chance later in the period that did find the back of the net. However, the goal was waived off for a hand pass.
Ohio trailed 1-0 after 20 minutes but had outshot Niagara 14-9 and carried the pace.
The Bobcats came out in the second period and got off to another strong start. Noah Holt tied the game 4:44 into the second on a breakaway. It was just the beginning of what would become a dominant period for Ohio.
Niagara tried to up the intensity of the game and the teams played four-on-four twice in the second. Neither team scored down a man, but Ohio kept building momentum off it.
Eventually, the Purple Eagles got the first power play of the game on a Blake Dustin holding penalty. Niagara got nothing going on the man advantage and Ohio killed it off comfortably.
Drake Albers finished a great pass from Bobcats captain Jack Glen on an odd man rush to give Ohio its first lead of the game.
Ohio followed the goal with more strong shifts and went into the second intermission up 2-1.
The game was competitive and within a goal for all of the first 40 minutes. But just 38 seconds into the third, Seth Coulter was given a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for spearing.
“It’s an unfortunate play for them, but the other side is that you have to capitalize on that,” Schutte said. “The talk on the bench was nothing but positive and they were really ready to get after it.”
It was the opportunity Ohio needed to pull away. While the Bobcats didn’t get much going in the first two minutes of the power play, they eventually got set and Albers scored his second goal of the night.
Luc Reeve came in moments later and scored a second power play goal to put Ohio up 4-1.
The Bobcats did give up one more to Niagara before the game was over, but Reeve netted the empty net goal to seal the deal.
He finished the night with a pair of goals and the second star of the game. But undoubtably, Albers’ performance was worthy of the top star. Coming off an injury, he put up three points and led the Bobcats offense.
“I think the injury has a lot to do with it. Watching my team practice and play without me kind of built up that hunger,” Albers said.
The two will face off again Saturday night at 7 p.m. as Ohio looks for a series sweep.
“When we play physical there’s no team that can play with us,” Albers added. “Tomorrow is going to be a battle. They’re going to come out swinging, and we’re ready to match it.”