by Northeast Ohio Hockey fans got a real treat today as the Big Ten had a showcase with Ohio State and Michigan Men’s hockey teams invading First Energy Stadium for a showcase of hockey. The game saw plenty of goals, 6 total, an ice delay and a frenzy of fans enjoying every moment of the Ohio State 4-2 victory. The paid attendance was 45,523 fans and you could hear every which one of them.
Neither team was able to score in the first period regardless of a combined 6 power plays, in which each team had 3 cracks at it. The Buckeyes had 14 shots on goal, while the Wolverines sent 7 towards the net.
After both teams got 7 more shots off each without a goal to start the second, it was McWard getting the Buckeyes on the score board with a goal. The assist coming from Dunlap and Cassidy with around 5:40 left to play in the period. It was a great shot that finally found the back of the net after 35 minutes’ worth of action.
Shortly after that, several issues with the ice made things a bit dangerous and stopped play to the point where both teams had to return to their locker rooms for a bit. A little while after play resumed, the Buckeyes converted a power play into points, to extend their lead to 2-0 late into the second period. That goal came from Wise off the assist from Treloar.
The celebration for Ohio State was short lived as Michigan struck right back on the ensuing faceoff. The craziness of the second period wasn’t over yet however. Just seconds after the Michigan goal, OSU committed a penalty and would have to play short handed for the final 1:35 of the period. Remarkably, they didn’t lay back and kill clock, but rather went for another goal and got it! It was Duke striking this time and sending the pro Buckeye crowd into a frenzy.
It was a wild second period that saw 4 combined goals, numerous power plays and a short handed goal. Most of that, following an ice melting stoppage.
Both schools split the scoring in the third, as Ohio State took home the 4-2 victory.
