Ohio took the ice as the No. 1 team in the country for the first time this season for a two game series on the road at No. 8 Iowa State.
The Bobcats took the first game, 4-2 behind a pair of powerplay goals, but dropped the second game to the Cyclones 5-4 after digging themselves out of a 4-0 hole.
“I thought we played well,” coach Sean Hogan said. “We just can’t spot a team four goals (on Saturday night) and expect to win.”
Captain Hartman steps up
Despite having a broken bone in his hand, Ohio captain Matt Hartman had a goal in each of the Bobcats games this weekend.
Facing a top-10 opponent that he is quite familiar with from his time at Ohio, Hartman had no problem playing the highly ranked Cyclones.
“He’s been a great leader for us,” Hogan said.
Most of Hartman’s goals, including the two this weekend, are described as “hard work goals.” Hogan said Hartman earns his points, and they don’t come easy.
Hartman is fifth on the team in goal scoring with seven goals on the season, along with four assists.
Character shown in loss Saturday
After a big win Friday night, Ohio found itself in a quick 4-0 deficit to the Cyclones midway through the second period.
Being down early on the road wasn't quite the start the Bobcats wanted, but they fought back with four unanswered goals to tie the game, before eventually losing 5-4.
“It takes a lot of character to be able to (battle back after being down 4-0),” Hogan said.
Once Ohio had a 4-0 hole, Hogan wasn’t sure if the Bobcats would get blown out or keep fighting in the game.
In a six minute span during the second period, Ohio scored three goals, then added the equalizer in the third period.
After he gave up his fourth goal, Jimmy Thomas was replaced by Ryan Heltion in the net for the Bobcats.
Thomas, the freshman goaltender who has started most of Ohio’s games this season, was pulled for the first time as a Bobcat.
Despite being pulled, Hogan said Thomas was not to blame for the 4-0 hole.
“I wouldn’t have placed any of the goals on Saturday on Jimmy,” Hogan said. “There were some rebounds there and chances we should have cleared it out.”
