The newfound rivalry between ranked teams Ohio and Liberty continued this weekend at Bird Arena, as each team showed extreme intensity throughout the two-game series.
However, the Bobcats (2-2-1) fell to the Flames in each of the games, losing Friday 7-6, before then being shut out 1-0 Saturday.
Before the weekend, Ohio sophomore forward Michael Harris said, “This weekend is going to be a battle,” which made the rivalry very apparent.
Although No. 10 Ohio lost both games, the team was competitive and fought hard, as both teams expressed contempt for each other on the ice with fights breaking out in front of both teams’ nets.
The fans also got involved with the mischief, as every time the Bobcats scored they would heckle the No. 14 Flames (7-0-0).
The first game of the series Friday was an exciting, high-scoring one.
Exceptional performances were seen from freshmen forwards Matt Hartman, Patrick Spellacy and Joe Breslin, as the latter two each scored a goal during the game.
Other scorers were senior forward Brett Agnew, sophomore forward James Howard, junior forward Nathan De La Torre and freshman forward David Ramos. The Bobcats out-shot the Flames 37-29 during the contest.
Ohio coach Jonathan Sheridan said after the game that Ohio needs to improve in its next game. After the high-scoring affair the previous day, Ohio and Liberty played a nail-biter Saturday, as the lone goal scored was from the stick of Liberty’s Robert Ward during a first period power play.
Stars for the Bobcats included Hartman, senior defenseman Duncan Green and freshman goalie Aaron Alkema.
Despite not scoring this weekend, Hartman showed hustle for every loose puck by taking the body on Liberty.
Alkema finished Saturday with 34 saves on 35 shots on goal, but his efforts were not enough for an Ohio victory.
Ohio will next play Oct. 11 when it heads to Mentor to take the ice with Colorado State.
ab994612@ohiou.edu
