Heading into Saturday, Ohio looked to turn things around against a common foe in Liberty University, following four straight losses to them.
However, the Bobcats were unable to bounce back after Friday night, losing 4-3 against the Flames on Saturday evening. Ohio (1-11) is now 0-6 against Liberty (8-3) this season.
Here is the instant reaction to Ohio’s Saturday loss:
Failure to hold the lead
The Bobcats went into the third period down 2-1. Almost immediately, JT Schimizzi and Alex Singley scored to give Ohio a 3-2 lead.
However, Liberty’s Quinn Ryan went on to score a breakaway goal while short handed, and Brock Thompson would score on the power play to take back the lead.
This was the first time in a long time that the Bobcats were in control to start out the third period, but were unable to maintain their thin lead.
Stuck in the box
Thompson’s goal was scored on an impressive wrist shot from the point. However, it was also scored while Ohio was battling a 5-on-3 penalty kill.
Saturday’s matchup was a physically brutal one, and it is no surprise that both teams took penalties. But to go down two men while tied in the third period is a frustrating way to make it easier for Liberty to take the lead.
Stepped up pressure
Ohio’s offense looked solid for most of the game, doing a good job of controlling and moving the puck and keeping up the pressure on Liberty, especially while in the offensive zone. The Bobcats were just unable to gain the lead back once they went down 4-3.
