After enduring extensive injuries, growing pains, a slow start and rink renovations all in one season, most teams would be satisfied to break even, but not the Ohio hockey team.
Ohio came within one game of winning league and national championships this season, enjoying arguably its best year since 1998 - despite at times seemingly having everything riding against it.
For this, the hockey team receives The Post's Team of the Year award.
"The guys had such positive attitudes through all the negativity just to get to the point they did," Ohio coach Dan Morris said. "They knew how to put themselves there at the end and give themselves a chance (to win championships)."
The Bobcats snapped Arizona's 14-game winning streak and stunned No. 1 Illinois en route to their 2003 American Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament runner-up finish - better than 34 Division I teams.
Ohio also placed second in the nine-team Central States Collegiate Hockey League, losing to Illinois on an overtime deflection goal.
But Ohio's season did not begin nearly as well as it ended. Renovations to Bird Arena's ice surface limited Ohio to two weeks of on-ice preparation for a young team boasting four seniors on its 30-member roster.
Injuries also tested Ohio's depth throughout much of the season, Morris said.
"Early on in the year we had so many injuries, but even in the final game injuries played a factor," he said. "If you look down the list of guys almost everybody had a pretty serious injury at some point."
Ohio overcame these adversities and a 7-7-2 start to lose only five of its last 25 games. Forward Frank Kubas said the team's success could be attributed to a specific characteristic.
"In two words, I would describe (the team) as blue collar," he said. "We work hard, that's what it boils down to."
Ohio's efforts paid off in the ACHA Tournament, played in Bird Arena for the first time since 1996. Goalie Brian Gallagher said Ohio's home crowd inspired the team and made the tournament memorable.
"I remember going Uptown after Saturday's (ACHA Tournament) win (against Illinois) and seeing all the windows had hockey T-shirts," he said. "It was kind of weird being the talk of the town.
"It was nice to get that support from our school, and we tried to do our best to return the favor."
With its success last season a fading memory, Ohio is preparing for the upcoming season, in which it will return 24 players and 12 seniors. Morris said the team's goal is getting over its final hump to win a national championship.
"(Last season) made every guy on the team hungry," Kubas said. "At this time last year guys were glad it was Spring Quarter. This year guys just want to get back on the ice. We still have something to accomplish."
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Matt Bixenstine
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Ohio hockey goalie Brian Gallagher makes a save in a game earlier this season. The Post sports staff named the hockey team, which finished the season as ACHA National Tournament runner up, the Ohio team of the year.
