Ann Arbor, MI. – There is nothing but bitterness between what is perhaps the biggest rivalry in all of college sports between Ohio State and the University of Michigan, and that was only increased on Saturday night as the number 6/5 ranked Buckeyes took a 4-3 victory in double overtime/3 on 3 at Yost Arena, Michigan’s home rink.
The game was chippy with a lot of scrums throughout as the Buckeyes Carson Meyer scored his 9th goal of the season putting the Buckeyes up slightly past the halfway mark of the first period, silencing the home crowd. But the Wolverines would score just 4 minutes later. The teams traded goals throughout the game and went into overtime tied at 3. But no one scored in the first overtime as Buckeyes sophomore netminder Tommy Nappier showed why he is one of the best goalies in college hockey, making several spectacular saves to give his Buckeyes a chance going into the 3 on 3 double overtime.
With time running out in the 2nd overtime and with plenty of open ice, the Buckeyes Junior forward Ronnie Hein made a great defensive play and took the puck away in his own zone and made a spectacular perfect outlook pass to the Senior Captain Mason Jobst who skated in one of one against the Wolverines netminder Strauss Mann. Jobst blasted the puck past the helpless Wolverine who could only look on as the puck flew into the back of his net. Jobst 17th goal of the year was perhaps his best as the Buckeyes clinched the Big Ten Championship, their first ever.
As the players celebrated on the ice the Buckeyes loyal fans, who were out in full force, as usual, erupted with cheers and applause as they supported their young team in hostile enemy territory. Parents and just casual fans alike were high fiving one another and smiling with great pride as they were able to witness Ohio State history.
“It feels so incredible to be a part of Ohio State’s first Big Ten Championship and I’m extremely proud of this great group of guys, “Hein said elatedly. “It’s really special pulling this off after we’ve gone through some adversity with losing some key players down the stretch and if we weren’t going to win at the Schott, there’s no better place to win it then at Yost. ”
Hein, who grew up just 15 miles west of Ann Arbor in Chelsea, was surrounded by many friends and family in the mostly Yellow clad shirted crowd. He led his team in faceoff wins with ten including several key ones in the extra stanzas. Ohio State also boasts several players from “up north” as they call it including Quinn Preston, Brendon Kearney, and Grant Gabrielle so there was plenty of scarlet and grey representation.
The Buckeyes, 19-8-5 overall and 12-6-4-3 in the Big Ten, will finish up their regular season at home next weekend as they host Michigan State for two games. The teams will meet at 6:30 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. Saturday in Value City Arena. with Senior Night ceremonies set for pregame Saturday.
Ohio State will be the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Tournament and earns a first-round bye. The Buckeyes will host a semifinal game at 3:30 p.m. March 17 in Value City Arena. If Ohio State advances to the championship, it will be held at noon March 24 in Value City Arena.
The Buckeyes are set for a big run behind the solid coaching of Steve Rohlik, in his sixth season at Ohio State and are looking for much more than just the Big Ten Championship.
“I’m excited with what this group has accomplished but this is just the beginning for where we want to be standing at the end of the year,” Hein stated.
