Ohio (6-2) upset the top-ranked Adrian (6-1-2) 3-1, thanks to its execution on early-game opportunities and its hard-nosed defense late in the game. Scott Bird looked particularly strong with several stops that led to a near-perfect match.
As soon as the puck dropped, the Bobcats looked very aggressive on offense. The team was able to keep the puck and the pressure on the side of Adrian goalie Peyton Trzaska. The Bobcats found plenty of opportunities to score, but Trzaska and the Bulldogs held them scoreless.
Andreaus Fleutot would be sent to the box for a hooking call in the ninth minute. Ohio’s power play looked sloppy early, as errant passes killed multiple attacks on goal. That was until Lucas Doran and Noah Holt teamed up to find Laker Aldridge in front of the crease. Aldridge juked out an Adrian defender to score and put Ohio up 1-0.
Despite an Adrian power play, the bottom half of the first period belonged to Bird. The Bobcats’ goalie made save after save as the Bulldogs offense came alive. Ohio exited the first period with eleven shots on goal compared to Adrian’s eight.
The Bulldogs were able to change the tone of the game in the second period. They came out looking much stronger and faster than before, making multiple scoring attempts. Adrian looked in control until a tripping penalty in the sixth minute on Cash Regan. Aldridge found himself with a one-on-one opportunity with Trzaska but was bested by the goalie. Though unable to score, the Bobcats commanded the puck in the power play with crisp, flowing passes.
Tough, lengthy shifts from both teams led to lots of shots on goal, but neither team found success until Ohio expanded its lead. Trzaska deflected a Doran slap shot, but Mathieu Ovaert made a play on the rebound to score on the opposite side on the nearly-empty net. Bird and the Bobcats would hold off the Bulldogs, entering the second intermission with a 2-0 lead.
With its lead now at 2-0, Ohio would look to bunker down and keep the game in its favor through the final period. The defense was given a break early as the Bobcats picked up their third power play of the night on a slashing call. They could not score, but kept command of the puck throughout the power play, inching the game closer to a close.
A late-game penalty on Doran would give the Bulldogs some life as they looked to score on a power play with just over twelve minutes remaining. The opportunity would be squandered, though, as the Ohio penalty kill kept Adrian scoreless.
The Bobcats would retake control of the game following the failed power play. Despite leading 2-0, Ohio continued to apply pressure on the Adrian defensemen. Adrian was given another chance with a power play in the 14th minute.
Adrian was unable to cut into the lead during the power play, but shortly after Matteo Turrin made it a 2-1 game. Turrin made a strong cut at the red line to get past the Ohio defensemen and pushed the puck over the left shoulder of Bird.
With their deficit shortened to just one goal, the Bulldogs looked reenergized. Adrian fought with its life on the line, pulling its goalie and putting all the pressure on Ohio. The Bobcats were caught on their heels multiple times but narrowly escaped each time.
The Ohio defense stood strong, as Spencer Schons iced the game with a last-second empty netter to secure a 3-1 victory. As the second game of a doubleheader against Adrian has been canceled, Ohio will look to November for its next game, playing Delaware on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2.
