Ohio goalie Brian Gallagher knows that Iowa State is literally No. 1 in the Central States Collegiate Hockey league.
But as Ohio (7-5-1) plays host to Iowa State this weekend, Gallagher feels confident that the Bobcats are the best in the CSCHL.
We know we're the best
Gallagher said. This weekend we can let it be known on paper we can show everyone that we belong on top of the league.
Ohio has a big weekend ahead if the team is going to prove to be better than Iowa State. Not only are the Cyclones on top of the league with 26 points, but they are also ranked No. 4 overall in the American Collegiate Hockey Association. While the Bobcats are no slouch at third in the league and ranked No. 8 overall, improvements will be needed against a dangerous Iowa State team.
One of the main focuses in this week's practice has been special teams, coach Dan Morris said. Following a 1-0-1 weekend against Miami, Morris said he was unhappy with Ohio's one power play goal and Miami's three power play goals.
That's an area we haven't spent much time on and we don't traditionally
Morris said. But we have to focus on it this week because we are near the bottom of the league in those categories.
With a new concentration on the penalty kill, Morris said the team realized a flaw in its zone defense - overcompensating. Playing with a man down, many players on the team were over-rotating to cover up open areas, leaving a backside hole.
Morris said the Bobcats must stay out of the penalty box.
When you look at the games where we've been successful against the penalty kill
you see the reason is that we've stayed out of the box
he said. The guys are aware of that
and we know that we have to keep our discipline over our emotion to do what's best for the team.
The Bobcats are also struggling with injuries this season. Center Frank Kubas will sit out again this weekend with a strained medial collateral ligament. Early in the week, Kubas said he hoped to play, but Morris said on Wednesday that he was doubtful.
Defenseman Josh Granum is also inactive after breaking two fingers. Granum, who missed time earlier this season with an ankle injury, said he was frustrated with the missed time.
I was really looking forward to getting back into rhythm
Granum said. I was coming off what I thought was a pretty good weekend
and it just seems like one setback after another.
Defenseman Joe Branco should be back in action this weekend. Branco has been out since October 24, but Morris said he would play this weekend.
The Bobcats play Iowa State at 7:30 Friday and Saturday night at Bird Arena.
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