Ohio looks to continue its hot start to the new year this Friday against No. 17 Calvin University.
The Bobcats (15-4-3) are on a five-game win streak after their sweep of No. 11 Illinois. Coach Cole Bell has been doing his best to help his players shake the rust off from their month-long sabbatical.
But with the end of the season on the horizon, Bell isn’t dragging his feet to return the Bobcats to peak form. To him, time is of the essence.
“Including nationals, we’ve only got ten weeks of hockey left,” Bell said. “There’s not much time left to make some moves. It’s pedal to the metal from here on out.”
Game information
Opponent: Calvin University
Puck drop: 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Bird Arena
How to watch: Bobcat Productions presents Ohio Hockey
Meet the Opponent
Top point scorers
No. 19 Jared Virtanen (15 goals, 24 assists)
No. 96 Jacob Siebenga (13 goals, 10 assists)
No. 6 Riley Robertson (7 goals, 3 assists)
Goalie play
No. 35 Darin Fox (8-3, 2.42 goals against average, .926 save percentage)
No. 33 Joshua Greune (0-1, 5.00 goals against average, .853 save percentage)
Penalty minutes
No. 4 Graham Kormash (45)
No. 17 Garrett Pitter (24)
No. 15 Nick Workman (24)
First Matchup
Friday will mark the first time the Bobcats and the Knights will have ever faced each other. Calvin is 9-2-2 this season; however, their schedule is crowded with lower-ranked teams in the ACHA like No. 21 Aquinas, No. 25 Robert Morris-Illinois, and Kent State.
Bell describes the Knights as a “blue-collar team,” focusing on physicality and tripping their opponents up to gain an edge.
“They’re going to try and push the pace,” Bell said. “If we play a sound, structured game and manage the puck well, we’ll be all right.”
Injury Report
Freshmen Zach Curry underwent season-ending hernia surgery during winter break, according to Bell. Curry may be able to get back on the ice come February, but he has been ruled out of a return to in-game action.
Jackson Chilberg, a junior, was also absent from practice this week due to a concussion.
