The low point of Ohio’s 2011-12 campaign was arguably its four-game losing streak in late January, when the Bobcats lost to Lindenwood and Penn State by a combined score of 15-6.
The skid was Ohio’s longest of the season, and was especially disappointing because it was sandwiched in the midst of a nine-game unbeaten streak.
The Bobcats’ top competition comes against Lindenwood and Penn State, thus creating their most intense rivalries.
But with Penn State making the jump to the NCAA Division-I level this season, Ohio fans packed Bird Arena for the teams’ meetings this past season for what they thought might be the teams’ final meetings.
The Bobcats weren’t on par with the fast-moving Icers, who swept the season series 4-0 and left the Ohio fans with a bitter taste in their mouths.
The good news for the Bobcats is that they will have another shot at their longtime rivals — who will, for the first time, bear Penn State’s famous Nittany Lion logo.
Ohio coach Dan Morris said the Bobcats will roll into Happy Valley ready to play a similar team to the ones they have in the past, but will have to account for the changes that come with playing at the Division-I level.
“It’ll be a challenge,” he said. “All things being equal, you can have a game plan, but they're going to have better players. How do you account for that?”
The Bobcats will have a while to come up with the answers. They are slated to face the Nittany Lions at the Penn State Ice Pavilion — their new home, Pegula Ice Arena, will open for the 2013-14 season — for a pair of games Feb. 1-2, 2013.
Morris said scheduling the games was no different than usual, as the Penn State athletics department previously managed the Icers program.
Facing the Nittany Lions is a great opportunity for Bobcats players to get a taste of the next level, but is a double-edged sword for their opposition.
Penn State is looking to fill its schedule, but doesn’t want to risk a loss to an old ACHA rival.
“Any time you've got a new program at any level, they’re going to have a hard time scheduling home games,” Morris said. “So the games they could schedule at home, they’re trying to fill the stands.”
It remains unclear if the rivalry will continue past 2012-13, though. Once Big Ten Conference play kicks off in 2013-14, there will be limited slots for nonconference games.
Morris said there is a possibility the Nittany Lions will stay on their schedule, but continuation of the rivalry is not favorable.
“Now that there's Big Ten hockey and it’s on their agenda, (nonconference scheduling) might become a talking point,” he said. “It's something we'd like to continue, but it’s something where we'll see.”
The Nittany Lions also will play ACHA teams Arizona State and Oklahoma during their inaugural campaign.
Ohio will release its season schedule in early July.
jr992810@ohiou.edu
