When Ohio faces off against No. 1 Iowa State this weekend, there will be more than just the Cyclone hockey team coming into Athens.
It is also alumni weekend for the Bobcat hockey team, and there is no doubt that the former players will be excited to witness the ruckus the current squad is inflicting on the rest of the league.
Although the focus is obviously the next game and the current season for Ohio, it doesn’t hurt to enjoy a blast from the past every now and again.
“It’s always nice to see the alumni,” said forward Michael Harris. “It’s great to have guys who built our program and the tradition we have today still involved with the team and how we do. As alumni they have already been through what we are doing right now. That advice can be useful to anyone.”
Coach Jonathon Sheridan shared a similar sentiment about alumni rolling into town to see this year’s Ohio (21-6-1) team.
“It is a great event for the team, the program and the university,” he said. “Whenever alumni come back to the university, it’s a positive. The players benefit greatly from their skills and experiences. These guys are great role models and are key to helping current players get a start in (their) career.”
Earlier this season on Oct. 24-25, Ohio split a weekend series against Iowa State, dropping the first game 1-0, but finishing victoriously in the second with the final score being 4-3.
“Iowa State is a great team,” said Sheridan. “They just switched coaches earlier this year so it will be interesting to see how they have changed their systems and what not.”
Iowa State has seven shutouts this season, and has scored 128 total goals, which is eight fewer than Ohio’s 136. The teams are very similar in terms of scoring and defense, which is something that should provide for a close, exciting matchup.
“We are as prepared as we can be,” said Harris. “But we are playing at Bird…and playing at home in front of our fans gives us a little extra motivation.”
“We have to just prepare the way we do for every game. Focusing on what we do. If we play our game the way we know how, I like our chances at the end,” Sheridan said.
@kelsey_surmacz
ks363012@ohiou.edu
