Currently on a three-game skid to close out its season in Bird Ice Arena, Ohio is looking to bounce back against rival Liberty on the road. The first of those three losses for the Bobcats came against the Flames Feb. 8. Heading into Lynchburg, Virginia, Ohio will look to tell a different story.
Here’s everything to know ahead of the series.
Series information
Opponent: Liberty
Location: LaHaye Ice Center (Lynchburg, VA)
Times: Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.
Ohio notes
Despite three straight losses to end the home side of its schedule, Ohio still had a highly successful stint on home ice. Ohio won seven of the 12 games it played at home, featuring an impressive six-game winning streak. Ohio has defeated Liberty in three of the four games they have faced off this season and will look to repeat its success this weekend.
Liberty notes
Liberty enters the series on a three-game winning streak, where it has outscored its opponents 14-6 (3-2 against Ohio, 8-3 and 3-1 against Pitt). Despite having a power play known for scoring in bunches, Liberty has been thriving off even strength in this three-game winning streak.
Of the 14 goals the team has scored, 11 of them have been even-strength goals. It is dangerous enough to have a power play that is best compared to lightning, but it is much harder for a defense to stop a team that can have that on both special teams and even strength. Liberty is currently playing red hot and will be looking to continue this success this weekend on home ice.
Player to Watch (Liberty): Nick Pomerleau
Pomerleau leads Liberty in assists with 23, accounting for 23 of his 24 points on the season. While setting up Liberty’s goal scorers on the power play and leading the team in assists, Pomerleau has been the team's best defenseman more than just on the stat sheet.
He has been an anchor on the team defensively and has made many critical plays on Liberty’s own end this season. Pomerleau is a true leader on the team and therefore is the Liberty Player to Watch entering the weekend.
Player to Watch (Ohio): Mathieu Ovaert
When looking at Ohio’s roster and team leaders this season, it is hard to find a more well-rounded player right now than the team's leading scorer in all categories on the season, Mathieu Ovaert. With 13 goals, 17 assists, and 30 points in his 24 games played, Ovaert is over a point per game on the season and has been dangerous towards every opposing defense he has faced.
