Coming off of a series sweep against No. 2 Robert Morris (Ill.) last weekend, Ohio is preparing to face off against one of its biggest rivals.
No. 5 Ohio (25-9) will take on Kent State (7-23) this weekend, and because the Bobcats hold the first spot in the Central States Collegiate Hockey League standings, it is key that the team wins both games this weekend.
“We are two weeks away from (the league championship tournament),” coach Jonathon Sheridan said. “We need to be going into leagues rolling and to keep us high in the national ranking. It is going to be a big weekend with in-state rival Kent State coming in.”
The Bobcats have had the Golden Flashes’ number the past few seasons, as Ohio swept the season series last year 4-0 and outscored Kent State 42-15. This season has carried a similar storyline so far with Ohio winning both games in a December series.
“These are big games for us,” senior forward Brett Agnew said. “Although Kent State has struggled the last few years, there are always bragging rights on the line because of the in-state rivalry. We need to play well and keep heading in the right direction going into our league and national tournaments.”
It probably doesn’t hurt to be playing the series on home ice this time around. Sibs Weekend is expected to bring a large crowd to Bird Arena to cheer on the Bobcats.
“Playing at Bird is always an advantage,” Agnew said. “It’s Sibs Weekend on top of the rivalry, so I’m sure it will be a packed house and a fun atmosphere to play.”
Last weekend Ohio came back from a pair of two-goal deficits, which boosted Ohio’s ranking in the CSCHL and gave it momentum coming into the Kent State series.
However, one disadvantage the Bobcats may face this weekend is their goaltending situation.
Regular netminder, freshman Aaron Alkema, was injured last Friday and his status for the weekend is still unknown. He is listed as day-to-day.
Fellow freshman goalie Ryan Heltion would likely get the nod if Alkema is forced to sit out. If he performs at a level similar to his play against RMU (40 of 45 in saves, 2.33 goals-against average), it should be enough for a victory if the Bobcats continue their high level of prowess in front of him.
Regardless of the rotation on the ice, Sheridan doesn’t expect anything less than a solid performance from his squad.
“I think the guys really enjoy playing at home,” he said. “Bird Arena is a special place and the guys love when it gets packed. The entire building buzzes. The team handles the pressure well and I don’t believe it has adverse effects on our play.”
The puck will drop at 7:30 p.m. for both games.
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