Bobcats Division 2 Inaugural Season Recap
This season, for the first time ever, the Ohio Bobcats Ice Hockey program fielded a second team in the ACHA's division 2. As with all team's, there were some ups and downs for the new squad, but overall the season was an enormous success. The Bobcats posted a +.500 winning percentage, an excellent feat for a first year program. Next season, the team will look to continue and improve upon that success, but now is the time to look back at the season and recap the inaugural season of Bobcats Division 2 hockey.
The season started off strong for the Bobcats. In their first weekend of play, the team was able to post consecutive shutouts against future conference opponent Wright State. After a week off, the Bobcats loaded up the bus and traveled up to Adrian College. In their first road games, the Bobcats struggled and dropped both games. Next up, the Bobcats went on the road again. This time the opponent was Akron. The Bobcats played tough, but would lose the first game in a shootout and the next by 2 (with an empty net goal scored). Each game was hard fought and left the Bobcats with a new rival. Following the Akron games, the Bobcats returned home and faced off with Life University. In game 1, the losing streak came to an end as the Bobcats came away victorious, but the next day the Cats could not build on their success from the night before. The final weekend of fall saw Ohio travel back up to Akron to resume their newfound rivalry with Akron. However, once again the Bobcats would be foiled by the Zips, losing game 1 in a shootout and coming up just short in game 2.
After a 2 month layoff for winter break, Ohio would return to the ice when they played Pitt and Duquesne. The weekend would not go well. The team would be scored on 19 times between the two games, but the team experienced a turning point during the first intermission against Duquesne. The Cats played the final 2 periods against Duquesne to a 4-4 tie, and wouldn't look back. Ohio would win their next 7 games overall (Dayton 2, Wright State 1, West Virginia 2, Cincinatti 2) as they rolled into another showdown with rival Akron. In game 1, the game was never more than a goal apart as Alex Guest made some inspiring saves. After 3 periods, the teams would again head into overtime. However, 30 seconds into the period, Akron would find a way to score the game winner. After stewing for a day thinking about Akron winning again, the Bobcats came out with a renewed passion and soundly pushed past Akron, winning 6-2. The next weekend would be the final one of the season. The Cats continued their fiery pace and dominated West Virginia to close out the season going 10-0-1 in their last 11 games.
The Bobcats would like to extend their thanks to outgoing senior Ben Palocko and Coachs Matt Staehely and Beau Nishimura for their contributions to making the team's first season a tremendous success. The team now must wait until September for next season to start. The Bobcats believe they will be ready for all comers next year as they eagerly await their second season of play.
Team Leaders
Points: 1. Nick Frasse 32
2. Anthony Finney 28
3. Shane Darrow 24
Jimmy Irwin 24
Goals: 1. Anthony Finney 15
2. Nick Frasse 13
3. Jimmy Irwin 11
KC Fraize 11
Assists: 1. Nick Frasse 19
2. Shane Darrow 14
3. Anthony Finney 13
Jimmy Irwin 13
PIMS: 1. KC Fraize 133
2. Jimmy Irwin 44
3. Sean Roach 34
