The Bobcats hope to adjust to Illinois’s unorthodox ice surface.
Last weekend, Ohio won the Central States Collegiate Hockey League regular season title in its familiar confines of Bird Arena.
Now, the Bobcats will shift their focus to a single-elimination CSCHL playoff tournament at a rink that is much larger than what they’re used to.
The Illinois Fighting Illini will host the division playoffs at their massive arena, which is often referred to as the “Big Pond.” The ice is 197 feet long and 115 feet wide, which is 30 feet wider than Ohio’s Bird Arena. The “Big Pond” doubles as a short-track speeding skating rink, according to head coach Sean Hogan.
“It’s so different than every other rink in our league and it definitely changes how you approach the game,” Hogan said.
He stated that his team’s strategies will be consistent regardless of the opponent, but the penalty kill units won’t be able to be as aggressive due to the additional ice.
“We feel we stack up well against everybody else,” Hogan said. “It’s going to be about us executing our game plan, not really about what anybody else is doing.”
Ohio forward Joey Breslin says he likes the large ice because there’s more room to skate and create offensive opportunities. Breslin, one of three Bobcats returning to the lineup after missing the last three weekends for the World University Games, is tied for the team lead with 35 points this season.
Although the CSCHL tournament has no impact on national tournament seeding, Hogan stressed the value of winning a tournament in this tradition-laden league.
Hogan also wants his team going into the nationals with some momentum. As losers in five of their last six contests, the Bobcats appear to be sluggishly coming into the most important games of the year.
But with the reinsertion of Breslin, Michael Harris and Tyler Benson into the lineup following their time at the World University Games, Ohio could be receiving the boost they need at just the right time.
“When I spoke to the guys (Monday) when we got back (from the World University Games), they’re very confident,” Hogan said. “That’d be the only thing that you’d worry about is if there was something that broke our confidence, but that’s not the case at all.”
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@JordanHorrobin
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