FTNTTB Opponent Preview: Ohio State

By: Luke Devoe

Ohio State Buckeyes (1-1-0)

The Ohio State University comes calling this weekend in a series that usually adds a little buzz to the sometimes subdued Bank crowd. Any time a big name university with a known name pops its head in the Bank's doors people tend to perk up. The Buckeyes come in at 1-1 after splitting a tough opening weekend at #13 Minnesota-Duluth. Losing to the Bulldogs 6-2 on opening night before topping them 3-2 to even the score. The Buckeyes of the CCHA, have split with our Bobcats each of the last two seasons. Last year in Columbus, the Bobcats opened with a 2-1 loss to the Bucks to win the following night by a 4-3 margin. In Hamden the previous year, Quinnipiac took a 2-1 victory from Ohio State to lose the following night 4-0. If this history holds up, the Bobcats are in good shape to win the Friday night matchup. In 2009-10, the Bobcats went out to Columbus to open the season and shocked the Buckeyes sweeping the series 4-2 and 3-1. The teams only met one time prior to those meetings with Ohio State winning 1-0 back in 2004. Quinnipiac owns the slight edge leading the lifetime series 4-3.

Cory Hibbeler and Clay Harvey in Columbus last season

Last season the Buckeyes were the definition of mediocre coming in at 15-15-5 on the season. They actually have a very Bobcat-like season losing 11 of their final 12 after starting off like gang busters. They've returned almost all of their offensive production losing only senior forward Danny Dries (13/9/22) and senior defenseman Sean Duddy (1/13/14). However, it's another story in net. Senior and crease mainstay in Columbus Cal Heeter has moved on causing the Buckeyes to work between senior and life long back up Brady Hjelle and freshman Collin Olson. Olson was able to notch their first win of the year over Duluth turning away 26 of 28 shots while senior Hjelle struggled allowing six goals on 39 shots in the 6-2 opening night loss. It'll be interesting to see who third year coach Mark Osiecki opts to go to this weekend. My guess would be a combination of the two. While the Buckeyes don't have any stand out talent or All Americans on the roster they return solid forwards in the forms of junior Chris Crane, sophomore Ryan Dzingel and sophomore Max McCormick. The Buckeyes have some serious size with six players towering in at 6'3 or taller but factoring in the Hilbrich-curve, the Bobcats are very even in size with the Bucks. Last season the Buckeyes had one of the nation's worst power plays at 17.6% and mid tier penalty kill at 83%.

Read the entire preview on FTNTTB.