After a regular season full of highs and lows, Ohio has everything to prove in the upcoming American Collegiate Hockey Association tournament.
The Bobcats and 15 other teams were selected April 1 to participate in the single-elimination tournament, which will take place at Maryville Hockey Center in St. Louis from April 16 to April 20.
Ohio’s 5-15 record may not look tournament-worthy on paper, but the ACHA recognized that the Bobcats are more than their numbers. Most of Ohio’s opponents this season are now the top four seeds in the tournament, and each win the Bobcats got over them proved their capability of handling the top dogs. There was one team, Mercyhurst, that Ohio played this season that isn’t in the tournament, and the Bobcats won that game with a crushing 11-0 score.
Here’s what you need to know about Ohio and the rest of the tournament:
Ohio’s leaders going into the tournament:
Ohio coach Cole Bell has a slew of talents both young and old going into round one.
Drew Magyar currently leads the Bobcats in offensive production with 12 goals and five assists on the season. Kyle Craddick and Aiden Grieco also give Ohio a significant boost. The two have scored eight and six goals, respectively. Finally, there’s J.T. Schimizzi, who leads the Bobcats in assists, with nine, along with his four goals.
Ohio’s defensive assets include a young dynamic duo at goaltender in Max Karlenzig and Matt Server, both of whom have one shutout this season. Along with Karlenzig and Server, some of the Bobcats’ best defenders this season include Sam Turner, Timmy Thurnau, Collin Felton and Shawn Baird.
When do the Bobcats play, and whom do they face first?
Ohio earned the No. 5 seed in the tournament, meaning it will play against No. 12 Missouri State (8-8-2) in the first round. The game will be for the early birds, taking place April 17 at 10:15 a.m.
The Bears are led by successful coach Jeremy Law, who has now earned his third playoff appearance in four years with Missouri State. Law’s offense is led by Josh Bell and Alex Rubin. The two have scored 24 goals together this season.
If Ohio beats Missouri State, its next game will either be with No. 4 Liberty, which the Bobcats are 1-7 against this season, or No. 13 Maryville, the host for this year’s tournament and which Ohio has not played in 2021.
Who else is in the tournament?
Along with Liberty, there are some other familiar foes for Ohio traveling to St. Louis. The No. 1 seed belongs to Adrian. The Bobcats went 1-3 against the Bulldogs this season. Other teams in the tournament Ohio will recognize are No. 2 Robert Morris, No. 3 Lindenwood and No. 8 Iowa State.
Other teams in the tournament include No. 6 Minot State, No. 7 Indiana Tech, No. 9 Aquinas, No. 10 Jamestown, No. 11 Calvin, No. 14 Canisius, No. 15 Davenport and No. 16 McKendree.
How can I watch?
Viewers can watch the ACHA Tournament at HockeyTV. Prices depend on the subscription package the viewer signs up for.
