After a two weekends of unranked opponents, the Bobcats will face yet another top-15 squad in Robert Morris.
The Bobcats can feel Thanksgiving break approaching, when they’ll get a weekend off for the first time all season.
Coach Sean Hogan, however, won’t talk about Thanksgiving. He doesn’t want his players talking about it either. Instead, he wants them preparing for No. 13 Robert Morris this weekend in Bird Arena.
“I don’t think the guys are looking at the break quite yet, simply because they haven’t talked about it,” Hogan said.
Second to none
While No. 10 Ohio’s first line is the subject of the other team's attention, the Bobcats second line has been quietly effective.
The line, usually consisting of Matt Hartman, Liam Geither, Derek Rahme and new addition Matt Rudin, have combined for 28 of Ohio’s 90 goals this season.
“We just focus on working hard and keeping our feet moving,” Hartman said. “We try to be the hardest working line in the ACHA. We all try to support each other really well on the ice, play physical and stay positive all game.”
After Rahme’s suspension during last weekend’s series against Alabama, Hogan said he saw enough in Rudin, who replaced Rahme, to keep Rudin on the line.
“(Rudin) scores a ton of goals,” Hogan said. “He’s our second leading scorer, we gotta get him out there a lot.”
Though Hogan likes to use four lines, stopping the Bobcats' offensive sets is easier said than done.
“A lot of teams key in on our first line with Harry (Michael Harris), Brezy (Joey Breslin), and Patty (Patrick Spellacy),” Hartman said. "For good reason, they’re all really big and can put the puck in the net. Sometimes, I feel like we get overlooked by the other team, which gives us breaks all over the ice.”
Seventh heaven
No. 13 Robert Morris will travel to Athens this weekend after having won four of its last five, including a victory against No. 6 Iowa State. Ohio swept Iowa State on Oct. 9-10.
The Bobcats, however, are riding a win streak of their own, winning seven consecutive games.
“We want to get back to the top of the CSCHL (Central States Collegiate Hockey League)” Hogan said. “This is an important weekend for us.”
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The Bobcats will prepare for a "gritty" and "relentless forecheck" from the Eagles, according to Hartman and Hogan.
Robert Morris defeated Ohio last season when key members of the team were on the road for the “World University Games.”
“Last year they came in and beat us at the end of the season when we were missing all of our players to the World University Games, they came in here and beat us,” Hogan said.”
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