Sports
Bobcats Hockey Holds Green & White Scrimmage Ahead Of 2021-22 Season
By: Adam Schlosser
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — There were fans back in Bird Arena for the first time in two years on Saturday night for the Ohio Bobcats Hockey Green and White Scrimmage.
Up to 50-percent capacity, or approximately 500 fans, were allowed inside to watch the Bobcats.
“We missed the fans,” new head coach Lionel Mauron said. “They bring so much energy and this place is such a special place to play. We’re excited to have them back. They’re the best fans in the league. For us, that gives us an advantage every day.”
The scrimmage was formatted to have two teams, green and white, face off against each other in a three-period showcase. The first period focused on traditional five-on-five action between the two sides. The second period saw each team have a five-minute power play, while the other team was on the penalty kill. The third period was three-on-three.
During the end of the second period, forward Philippe Angervil found defenseman Jack Mueller for back-to-back goals in a matter of seconds. The freshman duo’s impressive link-up play as well as the performance from the rest of the class’s left Mauron impressed.
“All nine of them are really exciting. I think they bring a lot of offense; we need to score more goals. They’re really excited to be on the ice. We need some positivity, we need some energy, and they definitely bring that every day.”
Through three periods, the game was tied at two, which lead to a shootout. Drew Magyar and Sam Turner both scored goals, giving the green team the victory.
Next week the Bobcats will play back-to-back games at home against John Carroll.
“They didn’t play last year, so obviously it’s difficult to judge where there at,” Mauron said. “We know they’re going to be excited, I’m sure this game was circled on their calendar as a big game. All these teams when they come in here want to win and want to put up a good performance. At this point we’re focused on ourselves; we want to be the best we can be. I think if we keep going that way and we buy into our process, we should come on top.”
Faceoff for both games between Ohio and John Carroll is scheduled for 7 p.m.