Ohio hockey players Craig Foglesong and Jordan Levy have no qualms when their names do not appear in the scoring column — as long as that part of the stat sheet shows a favorable outcome.
"As long as we're winning, I don't really care," Levy said.
But that does not mean they cannot be called upon to score when necessary, as was the case in Saturday's 5-2 victory against the Michigan State Spartans. The Bobcats beat the Spartans 5-3 Friday.
No. 4 Ohio (22-11-4) entered Saturday's game short five key players, all of whom were participating in the Central States Collegiate Hockey League All-Star Game in Bolingbrook, Ill.
The absence forced Foglesong and Levy to play more than defense, each scoring his second goal of the season in Saturday's win. Fogelsong also added an assist Saturday when his pass opened forward Robbie Farmer for a breakaway goal.
"We all have roles on the team, and they extend beyond just offense or defense," Foglesong said.
Forward Kurt Miller also stepped up with Ohio missing its leading scorers, tallying his first career Ohio goal and two assists during the weekend.
Miller said Saturday's performance demonstrated the Bobcats' depth, which could be tested again in this week's American Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament in Bird Arena, where Ohio must win four games in five days to be national champions.
"Everyone stepped up big time (Saturday)," he said. "We proved we're real deep with the all-stars out-of-town."
Forward Russ Scurto, who scored an unassisted goal Saturday off a steal, also was among the contributors in the absence of all-star forwards Tony Arkeilpane and Zac Hernandez — Ohio's leading goal-scorers.
"Everyone on this team is capable of scoring, it's part of the game," Scurto said.
After goalie Brian Gallagher improved his record to 14-5-4 with Friday's victory, goalie Lowell Franko saved 20 shots, including a penalty shot, for Saturday's win.
"I guarantee anyone in (Ohio's) locker room is confident in Lo(well) and Brian," Foglesong said. "I'll put either of them up against any team."
Both goalies could see time in front of the net in this week's tournament. The action starts for Ohio when the team battles No. 9 Michigan-Dearborn at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Bird Arena.
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Matt Bixenstine
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Senior Forward Brian Roberts attempts a shot on the goal against Michigan State Saturday night in Bird Arena. The Bobcats defeated the Spartans 5-3 on Friday night and 5-2 on Saturday night.
