COLUMBUS, Ohio -Northern Michigan scored 22 seconds into the game Friday and it stood as the gamewinner, as the Ohio State men's hockey team was shut out, 1-0, in Value City Arena. The Buckeyes (2-6-1, 1-3-1-1 CCHA) and Wildcats (2-4-1, 1-2-0-0 CCHA) will close out the two-game series at 7:05 p.m. Saturday in Value City Arena.
Northern Michigan goalie Reid Ellingson had 32 saves as the Buckeyes were blanked for the second time this season. Buckeye goalie Dustin Carlson had a season-best 34 saves in a losing effort.
On the first shift of the game, the puck went deep in the Buckeye zone. Phil Fox came out from behind the net on a wraparound. His shot went wide to Mark Olver, whose shot got in on the far side. The Buckeyes and Wildcats each had 13 shots and one power-play chance in the opening period.
The goalies continued to stand tall in the second, with Ohio State outshooting Northern Michigan, 12-11. The Buckeyes had three power-play chances, putting five shots on net, but could not convert. Northern was 0-for-1 in the period.
In the third, Carlson stopped all 11 NMU shots, as the Wildcats outshot the Buckeyes, 11-7. The Buckeyes had the only power-play chance, coming with 3:34 left in regulation, but were unsuccessful. With time winding down the Wildcats were able to pin the Buckeyes in their end for 30 seconds after a faceoff in the Buckeye zone. Carlson was able to leave the ice for the extra attacker for the final 28 seconds but Ohio State did not capitalize.
For the game, the Buckeyes had five power-play chances. Northern Michigan was 0-for-2.
Postgame Quotes
John Markell, Ohio State head coach
On the game
"It was a 60 minute game. I was a little disappointed by the first period. At all of the critical times Northern Michigan won, whether it was faceoffs or along the boards. The decisions our guys made dropped the game for us. We haven't scored a five-on-five goal in three games now."
On the offense
"We weren't winning the battles in their zone. Our forechecks weren't working, and we knew we couldn't sustain them in their zone the entire game. After we got down, our guys tried to take shortcuts but we can't deviate from getting the puck into scoring positions. The guys needed to stay with the system, but that didn't happen."
Dustin Carlson, Ohio State junior goalie
On the game
"It's frustrating to lose. I try to not let it eat away at me. I don't want to have a bad game. I try to take the positives away from it. I watch the tape and see what I did right. I think I've improved from last year."
On the defense
"I think the defense is better than last year. There aren't many breakdowns and not a great amount of scoring opportunities."
Walt Kyle, Northern Michigan head coach
On the win against Ohio State
"It was a good hockey game and after the goal it was a dog fight. I was proud of the way Reid (Ellingson) play, but both goalies played well tonight. It was a really even game and we know how difficult it is to win on the road. We're happy with the win."
On his team's progress
"We've lost some tough games this year but we recognize the fact we are growing as a team. We are happy with what we have accomplished tonight."
Mark Olver, Northern Michigan junior center
On scoring the early goal
"An early goal always helps every team. Although we got that early goal, we had to keep in our minds that the game wasn't over. Getting that goal in under a minute definitely eased the tension and allowed us to gain more confidence. Everyone was more relaxed."
Hockey Game Box Score (Final)
Ohio State Men's Hockey 2009-10
Northern Michigan vs Ohio State (Nov 06, 2009 at Columbus, Ohio)
Northern Michigan (2-4-1, 1-2-0-0 CCHA) vs. Ohio State (2-6-1, 1-3-1-1 CCHA)
Date: Nov 06, 2009 Location: Columbus, Ohio Arena: Value City Arena
Attendance:2218 Start time:7:05 pm End time:9:11 pm Total time:2:06
Goals by Period 1 2 3 Total
Northern Michigan 1 0 0 1
Ohio State 0 0 0 0
1st period - 1, NMU, Mark Olver/5 (Phil Fox/1) :22. Penalties -
Alan Dorich, NMU (interference) 9:25; Devon Krogh, OSU (slashing)
13:59; Alan Dorich, NMU (interference) 19:37.
2nd period - Penalties - Erik Spady, NMU (boarding) 2:23; Sergio
Somma, OSU (holding) 6:14; TJ Miller, NMU (tripping) 15:38.
3rd period - Penalties - Scott Macaulay, NMU (holding) 16:26.
Shots on goal - NMU 13-11-11 35; OSU 13-12-7 32.
Power plays - NMU 0 of 2; OSU 0 of 5.
Penalties - NMU 5 (10 min); OSU 2 (4 min).
Goalies - NMU, Reid Ellingson 2-1-0 (60:00 minutes, 32 shots-32
saves); OSU, Dustin Carlson 0-5-0 (59:32, 35-34) , EMPTY NET (00:28,
0-0).
Penalty shots - None.
A-2218 T-2:06
Three stars: 1. Reid Ellingson 2. Dustin Carlson 3. Mark Olver
Ref: Neil Stafford; Brent Gawlik Line: Joe Sherman; Tony Molina
Win-Reid Ellingson (2-1-0). Loss-Dustin Carlson (0-5-0).
