Normally, splitting a series against the defending National Champions would be considered a great success, but not when you are in a fight for home ice in the playoffs. After only coming away with two points each of their last two weekends while at home, it has become critical for Ohio State to take four points against North Dakota this weekend at the OSU Ice Arena. The last two weekends the Buckeyes have managed home wins on Friday night but lost heartbreakers on the following Saturday afternoon. The Buckeyes achieved a split against the Fighting Sioux earlier this year in The Peace Garden State.
Coach Barto said that Ohio State is taking it one game at a time, but did admit the Buckeyes will most likely need to win four of their final six games in order to get home ice in the first round. The players know where they stand, but feel very confident going forward. “We’re going for 6-0,” said Sophomore Defenseman Kelly Wild. Senior co-captain Raelyn LaRocque added that while home ice in the playoffs would be nice, it was not critical and that the Buckeyes would get a chance to prove themselves in the playoffs either way.
It also should be noted that the two teams directly in front of Ohio State in the WCHA standings both have fewer wins then Ohio State. This is because of the shootout point award in the WCHA. The current standings system was voted on by the coaches a few years ago. (For full disclosure I hate the shootout and think it has no place in hockey.)
Both LaRocque and Wild said that it would be very important for Ohio State to play as well on Saturday as Friday this weekend. LaRocque added that she thought the team may be getting a little over confident going into the Saturday games after wins on Friday night. The good news for Ohio State is that North Dakota has never won a game in Columbus going 0-9-1 against the Buckeyes.
1 comment:
7-2??? Really?
Post a Comment