Final period haunts Bobcats
Submitted By Ryan Boyd on Friday, January 27, 2012
It wasn’t until the third period, but the Icers flexed their muscles as the top-ranked team in the ACHA Friday night in Athens.
Penn State scored twice in the final 12 minutes to upend the Ohio Bobcats, 2-1, sending them to their season-long fourth consecutive defeat and first loss in the friendly confines of Bird Arena.
From the opening puck drop, physicality was the name of the game. The clubs combined for 19 penalties on the night, with 8 coming in the first frame. This has been a familiar story for the Bobats at home who routinely spend time in the penalty box. Arguably the most notable example coming against Illinois, when the teams reached over 140 minutes in the sin bin.
However, despite the scrappy play, Zack Barbis lit the lamp to put the Bobcats (21-10-1) up 1-0 with just under 7 minutes to play in the first. Michael Schultz assisted the goal on a brilliant cross-ice pass from beside the Icer net.
Ohio carried that lead into the second period, which was dominated by strong defense on both ends of the ice. Sophomore goalie Fedor Dushkin made nine saves and helped in killing four Penn State (20-3-1) power plays to help preserve the ‘Cats one-goal advantage through 40 minutes.
But, the lead wouldn’t be safe in the contest's final 20-minute stretch.
With 12:09 remaining, the Bobcats young defense allowed a breakaway opportunity for Taylor Holstrom, who tied the contest. Then, less than eight minutes later, he did it again, to the displeasure of the capacity crowd, to put the Icers on top for good.
Penn State’s come-from-behind effort was eerily similar to the second game between the teams in Happy Valley earlier this season. Ohio held a 1-0 lead until the decisive final period, in which the Icers scored five goals to secure a 5-3 victory.
The effort of freshman Paul Musico was then featured in the closing minutes of this game. He sent away 18 of 19 Bobcat snipes on the night and improved his record to 10-1-1. Also, his ACHA-best goals against average dropped to a miniscule 1.41.
On the other hand, Dushkin, who was impressive in saving 26 of 28 shots from Penn State, failed to pick up the victory. In fact, Dushkin – who has fought injuries – has not won a game between the pipes since the series with Iowa State in mid-November.
Offensively, Ohio's top line struggled yet again. Schultz recorded the only point out of the three players who typically ignite the Bobcats' attack. Nick Rostek and Tyler Pilmore have been held scoreless in consecutive weekends.
Following the loss, Ohio falls to 10-1-0 at home this season. Prior to Friday’s game, the Bobcats had scored at least four goals in each matchup at Bird Arena.
Ohio and Penn State will square off for the final time in the regular season tomorrow from Bird Arena. The puck is set to drop at 7:30 p.m. For a live broadcast check out fasthockey.com, or follow @BobcatsHockey on Twitter for instant updates.
