Ohio’s return to Bird Ice Arena has been triumphant thus far, featuring a three-game winning streak and goals scored in bunches. In back-to-back weekends back at Bird, Ohio sports a record of 3-1, including impressive wins of 9-0 and 6-1.
Here is what to expect from Ohio as it hopes to continue its home success this weekend against Stony Brook:
Series Information
Opponent: Stony Brook (10-11)
Location: Bird Ice Arena (Athens, OH)
Game One Start Time: Friday at 7 p.m.
Game Two Start Time: Saturday at 2 p.m.
Game Notes
Ohio has won three of its last four games and has outscored its opponents 21-7, including a 9-0 victory in its last game against West Virginia, which featured a Drake Albers hat-trick. Not only has Ohio’s offense been performing at an elite level, but its defense has also been a key factor in its success. Ohio goaltending has not faced more than 20 shots in a game since its last loss against Pitt Jan. 10. If Stony Brook wishes to emerge from this weekend's series victorious, it needs to find a way to break Ohio’s defense and goaltending.
Stony Brook also enters this weekend's series on a three-game winning streak, including a 6-2 victory in its last game against Delaware. Stony Brook’s recent success has a lot to do with its recent performances from the power play, having scored on the man advantage in each of its last three games. The last time Stony Brook failed to score on the power play was in its 4-3 loss to Rhode Island Jan. 10. If Ohio wishes to continue its three-game win streak and home-ice success, it should avoid the penalty box at all costs.
Stony Brook Player to Watch: Justin Nakagawa (No. 13)
Earning a goal and an assist in Stony Brook’s last game against Delaware and scoring 6 points in his last three games, Nakagawa currently leads the team in points on the season with 10 goals, 17 assists and 27 points in the season. His 10 goals on the year are just two goals shy of the outright team lead in goal-scoring.
Nakagawa has been a true threat to any team he’s played for all season long. He can make any defense and goaltender’s night a living nightmare, regardless of whether he gets on the scoresheet. Nakagawa has been a dangerous player for Stony Brook all season and will look to get the team a massive upset victory in Ohio this weekend.
Ohio Player to Watch: Drake Albers (No. 10)
Albers’ hat trick against West Virginia was one of the best performances of his Ohio career. He sits with just over a point per game on the season with seven goals and nine assists for 16 points in 15 games. He also holds one of Ohio’s only short-handed-goals of the season, which could pose a threat to Stony Brook’s power play. Albers is currently red hot, so look for him to make a major impact on the series for Ohio this weekend.
