Men’s Ice Hockey: No. 12 Ohio State eyeing final non-conference matchup against Princeton

D.C. Dailey
Thu, 28 Nov 2024 20:26:29 +0000
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The then No. 19 Buckeyes stand for the national anthem prior to their game against Bowling Green on Oct. 25 at the Shottenstein Center. The Buckeyes claimed a 3-2 victory over the Falcons. Credit: Ohio State Athletics

Ohio State is coming out of its first bye weekend since the start of the season in early October, riding high after a pair of wins over Lindenwood the weekend prior.

Now, the No. 12 Buckeyes (9-2-1, 2-2-0 Big Ten) will look to continue their winning ways as they travel to New Jersey for a two-game set with Princeton (1-4-1, 1-4-1 ECAC). Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday – both at the Hobey Baker Memorial Rink.

Ohio State head coach Steve Rohlik said the bye week allowed the Buckeyes to refocus both on and off the ice.

“Number one, guys had some days off academically to get back at it with some schooling – people forget how much they travel and what they miss,” Rohlik said. “As far as hockey goes, it’s our work ethic and our detail and practice, and we really pounded on that.”

Ohio State defenseman Damien Carfagna said it was imperative for the Buckeyes to pick up two wins before the bye weekend.

“I think it was really big to get those two wins and then reset during the bye week,” Carfagna said. “We were able to work on some things, rest up a bit and heal some injuries – that was really important for us.”

Ohio State’s trip to Princeton this weekend marks the first in program history that the Buckeyes will visit the Tigers.

Rohlik said Princeton’s first-year head coach Ben Syer is a renowned individual in the collegiate hockey coaching community.

“First and foremost, I got a lot of respect for Benny,” Rohlik said. “I’ve known him for a long time, and he’s done a tremendous job – he’s got a lot of respect in the hockey world, and obviously he’s a great coach, and he’s going to do great things at Princeton.”

The Tigers’ season began much later than that of the Buckeyes, as Princeton’s first contest came by way of a 4-3 loss against Harvard Nov. 8. That same night, Ohio State went up against No. 1 Michigan State in its ninth match of the season.

Through Princeton’s first six games, only a single skater has netted more than one goal on the season.

Forward Brendan Gorman leads the Tigers with two goals and four points on the season – all of which came in their first three games. Gorman has been held to just four shots and no assists over the last three games for Princeton.

Princeton is allowing 2.92 goals per game, with its top keeper Ethan Pearson having started in five of six contests, allowing 2.54 goals each night.

In the Tigers’ most recent match Saturday against No. 11 Cornell, goalie Arthur Smith earned his first start of the season between the poles, allowing five pucks to fly into the net in Princeton’s 5-0 loss to the Big Red.

Carfagna said the Buckeyes must operate as one unit to be successful this weekend against Princeton.

“I think we struggle when we’re disconnected, but when we’re playing together, we’ve been really successful this year,” Carfagna said. “We have to play fast, strong and stay connected like we talked about over break.”