MHKY: No. 17 Ohio State Drops Series Opener to No. 3 Michigan
Teams close series at 8 p.m. Saturday
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 17 Ohio State men’s hockey team fell to No. 3-ranked Michigan, 5-2, Friday in front of 7,324 fans in Value City Arena in the Schottenstein Center. The Buckeyes came from a goal down twice, but the Wolverines scored two goals in a 25-second span late in the third for the win.
Ohio State falls to 9-6 on the year, with a 5-4-0-0-0-0 mark in Big Ten play. The Wolverines are 14-5 overall and 7-4-0-0-2-0 in league action.
The Buckeyes and Wolverines will close the weekend series at 8 p.m. Saturday in Value City Arena in the Schottenstein Center. BTN will televise the game, with the matchup also on Ohio State Radio.
The Short Story
The teams traded first-period power play goals, with Michigan scoring just 1:07 into the game and Buckeye Georgii Merkulov tying the score at 9:56. The Wolverines scored the only goal of the middle period 37 seconds into the stanza. Ohio State had a five-minute major power play in the second, but was unable to convert. In the third, Grant Gabriele tied the game at two at 6:51. The game remained deadlocked until the Wolverines scored twice in 25 seconds (15:03 and 15:28) to take control and added a late empty netter. Ohio State had the shot advantage, 38-25.
Quoting head coach Steve Rohlik
“At the end of the day they scored more than we did. I don’t think we were perfect. I thought we got better and our third period had a lot of energy. We had some chances. But, give them credit. They end up firing two at the net and getting two late. Disappointing night, but we have to come back tomorrow.”
How it Happened
• Michigan converted on a power play chance just 1:07 into the game, as Nick Blankenburg scored from right by the post at 1:23.
• Ohio State answered with a power play goal of its own at 9:56. Jake Wise one-timed a pass from Mason Lohrei that was saved, but Georgii Merkulov was there to put in the rebound from the faceoff circle.
• Each team had 10 shots and was 1-for-1 on the power play in the first.
• Just 37 seconds into the second period Nolan Moyle put Michigan back ahead, scoring after a Buckeye turnover down low.
• That was the only goal of the second. Ohio State had a five-minute major power play and was unable to score, putting seven shots on net during the man advantage.
• The Buckeyes doubled up the Wolverines in shots in the second, 12-6, and had the only power play.
• Ohio State killed a Wolverine power play chance 3:14 into the third period and carried momentum, leading to Grant Gabriele tying the score at two at 6:51. The Buckeyes cycled in the Wolverine zone and it came to Gabriele, who scored from just inside the faceoff circle. Cam Thiesing and Kamil Sadlocha assisted on the tally.
• The game remained tied until Michigan scored twice in 25 seconds, with a Michael Pastujov tally at 15:03 and Brendon Brisson score at 15:28 – to put the Wolverines ahead 4-2. Michigan sealed the win with an empty netter with 36 seconds remaining.
• Ohio State had the shot advantage in the third, 16-9. Michigan had the only power play chance and did not put a shot on net during the man-up opportunity.
• For the game, the Buckeyes outshot the Wolverines, 38-25. Ohio State blocked 18 Wolverine shot attempts, led by Ryan O’Connell with four and Cole McWard with three.
• Each team was 1-for-2 on the power play in the game.
Buckeye This and That
• Ryan O’Connell skated in career game 100.
• Mason Lohrei leads Ohio State with 11 assists and 13 points.
• Georgii Merkulov won 13-of-17 faceoffs vs. the Wolverines. He is second on the team with 12 points and tied for first with five goals.
• Cam Thiesing is second for the Buckeyes with eight assists and third with 10 points.
• Grant Gabriele’s goal was his second of the year.
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