Bobcats win easy in finale, 9-1
Submitted By Ryan Boyd on Saturday, February 04, 2012
It may have taken three weeks and six games, but the ‘Cats dangerous offense appears to have found its swagger yet again.
Ohio scored early and often to cruise to a 9-1 victory over the American Cancer Society Ice Ghosts Saturday night in the final game of a series devoted to cancer awareness.
Seconds after Becky Fuhs – mother of Jared and Jim Fuhs, who have both played for the Bobcats – participated in a memorable puck drop ceremony, Ohio was in business. Jonathan Pietramala put one in the back of the net with just over 19 minutes to play, and Ohio never looked back.
The Bobcats scored five goals off five different sticks in the opening period. Pietramala, Tyler Pilmore, Jared Fuhs, Josh Fodor and Jay Mazzarella were all involved before the buzzer sounded.
However, the final 40 minutes were, in many ways, dominated by the opposing netminders. Despite allowing four more tallies, Paul Marshall was outstanding between the pipes during many difficult Ohio offensive rushes. Even though he claimed to be “out of shape”, his effort all weekend was memorable.
On the other end of the ice, Ian Smith dominated for the ‘Cats. He kept the Ghosts off the board with a number of dazzling saves, including a sensational use of his glove in the second period. Smith came up just 16 seconds short of his first career shutout, as JJ Plutt lit the lamp for the alumni.
Following the Ohio victory, each team met for one final time at center ice to tap their sticks in honor of the crowd at Bird Arena.
But, for the Bobcats' current roster, it’s time to set the sites on next weekend’s battle with the Golden Flashes of Kent State. Ohio can clinch the number two seed in the upcoming CSCHL Tournament with a sweep. In two previous meetings this season, the Bobcats dominated. They outscored Kent State 15-2 in one of the few road sweeps this season.
The puck is scheduled to drop at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night from Bird Arena. It will also be alumni weekend. Check out ohiobobcatshockey.com all week for previews to the matchup.
