Hello, puckheads! Happy game day! Both your men’s and women’s hockey Bucks host home series this week. In the women’s case it is their final appearance on home ice in 2016-17. Let’s take a look at the match-ups.
No. 12/13 Men vs. No. 5/4 Minnesota
| game info | fri & sat |
|---|---|
| Opening Faceoff | 8pm ET |
| Television | BTN |
| Radio | 1460 AM |
| Online Stream | BTN2Go ($) |
This week’s series against the Gophers is a crucial one for the Buckeyes. With half the Big Ten schedule gone, Ohio State sits in fourth place in the conference, well back of the front runners. If B1G history is any indication, the Bucks need at least 12 conference wins to be in the mix for a top spot.
To achieve that mark the team needs to win eight of its final ten games. A tall order to be sure. The prospect is made more possible by the fact that six of those ten games are against the struggling Michigan teams. However, very little margin for error remains for OSU.
| team stats | minnesota | ohio state |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 17-7-2 | 13-7-6 |
| Avg. Goals For / Against | 3.81 / 2.65 | 4.08 / 2.96 |
| Power Play / Penalty Kill | 23.9% / 85.0% | 28.8% / 76.9% |
| Points Leader | Tyler Sheehy (36) | Mason Jobst (37) |
| Top Goaltender | Eric Schierhorn (2.57/.904) | Christian Frey (3.02/.913) |
The match-up with the Gophers is also important for another reason. With their recent losses to Wisconsin and Michigan the Buckeyes have dropped out of the battle for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. They currently rank No. 20 in the PairWise, below the bubble cut-off at No. 15 and far from the guaranteed berth of the top 10.
Ohio State’s schedule does not provide many more opportunities for the kind of quality wins needed to boost the team back into contention. (See above re six games against Michigan teams.) If they are to retain any hope of an at-large bid, the Bucks need a big result this week.
| b1G standings | w | l | t | sow | pts | pwr | this week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 24 | No. 4 | at Ohio State |
| Wisconsin | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 24 | No. 15 | vs Penn State |
| Penn State | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 16 | No. 11 | at Wisconsin |
| Ohio State | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 14 | No. 20 | vs Minnesota |
| Michigan | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 8 | No. 38 | vs Michigan State |
| Michigan State | 1 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 4 | No. 50 | at Michigan |
With so much on the line, facing off against one of the most complete teams in the Big Ten, the Buckeyes can’t afford another slow start. The odds of Minnesota surrendering a three or four goal rally are extremely long. Ohio State needs to get out ahead of the visitors early on or, at the very least, to keep pace with the Gophers going into the third period.
A sweep of the co-conference leader would go a long way toward shoring up Ohio State’s postseason hopes. Unfortunately, I don’t think the series will play out that way. I’m seeing a split and a wistful farewell to that at-large bid.
- Bring your skates on Friday for a postgame skate on the ice at the Schott.
- Saturday's game includes Ohio State's annual Teddy Toss. Buy a plush toy (it doesn't have to be a bear), secure it inside a knotted grocery bag (or other plastic bag), and throw it on the ice when prompted at the first intermission break. Toys will be donated to Ronald McDonald House.
- If you don't already have tickets for Saturday's tilt, showing your bear at the ticket window will get you discounted entry.
- Following Saturday's contest the Buckeyes will hold a meet-and-greet with members of the team.
Women vs. Minnesota State
| game info | friday | saturday |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Faceoff | 6pm ET | 1pm ET |
| Online Stream | BuckeyeVision ($) | BuckeyeVision ($) |
The Buckeye women wrap up their 2016-17 home slate this week. Ohio State honors its senior leaders, Breanne Grant and Katie Matheny, on Saturday. No doubt the team hopes to send them out in style. The Bucks have an excellent chance to succeed in that aim, hosting the WCHA’s last place team, Minnesota State.
| team stats | minn. State | ohio state |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 6-22-3 | 11-15-4 |
| Avg. Goals For / Against | 1.23 / 3.29 | 1.77 / 2.20 |
| Power Play / Penalty Kill | 10.3% / 79.2% | 8.2% / 89.7% |
| Points Leader | Emily Antony (14) | Maddy Field (21) |
| Top Goaltender | Brianna Quade (3.20/.898) | Kassidy Sauve (1.98/.944) |
Goal scoring is a challenge for both the Bucks and Mavericks, but Ohio State maintains a slight edge in stats. The gap is much wider when it comes to defense. The Buckeyes are the best of the bottom half of the WCHA (2.71 average goals allowed in conference games) while the Mavs bring up the rear (3.58).
OSU and MSU split a pair of 2-1 decisions in their last meeting, way back in November. Neither team has enjoyed a lot of success between now and then. The Bucks have won four games since that series. Minnesota State has three victories and none since the midseason break.
| wcha race for fifth | w | l | t | sow | pts | remaining series |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud State Huskies | 6 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 23 | vs Bemidji, at Minn.-Duluth |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | 5 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 21 | vs Minn. St., at N. Dakota |
| Bemidji State Beavers | 5 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 19 | at St. Cloud, vs Minn. St. |
Ohio State has yet to record a sweep in conference play this season. I’m going to put the positive vibes out there and say that stat changes this weekend. I predict big contributions from the Buckeye defensemen.
- The women's team hosts its Teddy Toss on Friday night. Again, wrap your plush whatever in plastic and chuck it on the ice when prompted during the first intermission. These toys will be collected and delivered to kids at Nationwide Children's Hospital.
- Be sure to arrive early for Saturday's tilt as the Bucks will honor outgoing seniors Breanne Grant and Katie Matheny prior to the game.
