It has been almost a year since the Ohio hockey team played Michigan-Dearborn in last season's national tournament, but for some hockey players, it may seem like it was just yesterday.
No. 4 Ohio (22-11-4) entered its first game of the 2002 American Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament last Feb. 27 against No. 9 Michigan-Dearborn Wolves. Sixty minutes later, the Bobcats had suffered a 4-2 defeat on their way to a ninth-place tournament finish.
"We talked about (the loss) a little in practice (Monday)," defenseman Joe Branco said. "It's definitely still fresh in our heads."
Now a year later, Ohio, with the same ranking and record, takes on the same No. 9 Michigan-Dearborn team (16-16-2) today in its first game of the 2003 ACHA National Tournament.
"It's kind of funny how that worked out, isn't it?" Ohio coach Dan Morris said. "We dress 19 guys from last year's team and (that loss) still stings for those guys."
Part of the reason the game is memorable is because it ended in controversy, Morris said. The referee awarded Michigan-Dearborn a questionable game-tying goal with 10:23 remaining. The Wolves went on to score the game-winner just 30 seconds later and also added an empty-net goal.
But regardless of the controversial call, Ohio, leading 2-0 in the first period, should never have let Michigan-Dearborn back into the game, forward Ryan Walicki said.
"Officiating is something you can't control in sports," he said. "We should have had control over our own destiny."
Branco said the Bobcats spent too much of that game in the penalty box, causing their special teams players to tire. Ohio registered 24 penalty minutes in the match.
"That was an example of playing with too much emotion, being too ready to play," Walicki said. "There's a fine line between emotion and over-emotion. We have an advantage when it's five-on-five, but when we get into penalties it becomes a tossup."
Although a match with No. 5 Arizona (22-4), Ohio's other Pool D opponent, looms Friday, Morris said his team must concentrate primarily on beating the Wolves. Only one of the three Pool D teams will advance to a Saturday semifinal match.
"What you have to do is prepare for both opponents but with an emphasis on Dearborn," he said. "Right now it's a one-game tournament. If you don't win your first game you might as well pack your bags."
Ohio, however, host of this season's tournament, will not have to do any packing. The Bobcats are 17-3-2 at home this season, including 4-3 and 5-1 wins over the Wolves in October.
Ohio plays host to Michigan-Dearborn 7:30 p.m. today in Bird Arena.
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Matt Bixenstine
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Ohio forward Brian Roberts attempts to shoot a goal against the Illinois goalie in the CSCHL tournament held Sunday night. The Bobcats fell to Illinois with a score tied at 1-1 after three periods; Illinois scored in overtime.
