Ohio showed no signs of cobwebs after its two week break from play on Friday, as it welcomed Rutgers to Bird Arena to the tune of an 8-1 blowout win.
Ohio began its evening with a very familiar sight, a light-speed shot of Michael Harris' stick that found the net behind the Rutgers keeper and gave the Bobcats an early lead with 12:15 remaining in the first period.
The remainder of the first period played itself out quietly, before giving way to a much more eventful second. It began just over three minutes into the action, when Tom Whetsel came up with his fifth goal of the season to push Ohio in front 2-0.
Later in the period, Ohio strung together back-to-back goals that began with a long-range shot off the stick of Drew Crandall that found its way through a collection of bodies in front of the net and behind the goalie for the Bobcats' third goal of the game. The ensuing puck drop began a power play for Ohio, which it immediately took advantage of, when team captain Michael Kretz took the puck himself and out-maneuvered the Rutgers goalie to bring the Bobcats' lead to 4-0. Minutes later, Rutgers added its first goal of the game, the last score of the busy second period.
Ohio just continued to pour on goals in the period. Just over two minutes into the period, Liam Geither etched his name into the night's scorebooks by scoring a goal to put the Bobcats ahead 5-1. Matt Hartman, Patrick Spellacy and Matt Wipper would add their names in as the period went on, giving the Bobcats an 8-1 victory over Rutgers.
Ohio outshot Rutgers 35-17.
