Nov. 16, 2012

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A team effort propelled the Ohio State men’s hockey team to a 2-0 victory over No. 19 Northern Michigan Friday in Value City Arena. Senior goalie Brady Hjelle stopped all 20 shots he faced for his second shutout of the season, while junior Travis Statchuk and sophomore Max McCormick scored for the Buckeyes and Ryan Dzingel had two assists.

The Buckeyes (3-3-3, 2-1-2-1 CCHA) and Wildcats (4-5-2, 1-4-2-0 CCHA) will close out the series at 7:05 p.m. Saturday in Value City Arena. Postgame, seniors Alex Carlson, Hjelle, Devon Krogh and Brandon Martell will sign autographs. The Ohio State women’s hockey team hosts Wisconsin at 2 p.m. Saturday in VCA. Admission is free to the women’s game and fans who attend the women’s game will receive two free tickets for the men’s game that night.

Friday, Ohio State dominated play in the first period, outshooting the Wildcats, 19-1, with Statchuk opening the scoring at 8:56 of the stanza. The teams were scoreless through the second, with NMU outshooting Ohio State, 11-8. In the third, McCormick’s goal at 11:53 extended the Buckeye lead to 2-0. Hjelle added eight saves and the Buckeye defense held off the Wildcats for the final 1:40 with their net empty to preserve the shutout.

Ohio State controlled play in the first period and carried a 1-0 lead into intermission. Dzingel picked off a Wildcat pass in their zone and passed to Statchuk at the far post. With the NMU goalie out of position, Statchuk was able to backhand the puck in at 8:56 for his first goal of the season. Ohio State had the only power play chance in the period, with a major chance starting just 54 seconds in the game. A third power play started with 20 seconds left in the stanza.

Neither team was able to score in the second period. Hjelle stopped all 11 shots he faced, while NMU goalie Jared Coreau had eight saves. Each team had two power play chances. A Northern Michigan breakaway early in the second hit the post to help the Buckeyes maintain their one-goal advantage.

With Ohio State on the power play in the third period, hard work down low by Dzingel and sophomore Tanner Fritz led to a goal and 2-0 lead. Dzingel got the puck to Fritz, who found McCormick just outside the crease for a one-timer off the pass. Each team had eight shots in the period and Ohio State converted the only power play chance.

Ohio State outshot Northern Michigan, 35-20, in the game. Hjelle played all 60 minutes, with 20 saves. Coreau was between the pipes for 58:210 and made 33 saves.

Ohio State converted 1-of-4 power play chances and held the Wildcats scoreless on two opportunities.

Postgame Notes
• Hjelle posted his second shutout this season, both in conference play (first Oct. 26 at Bowling Green). He has a 1.55 goals-against average and .947 save percentage. In CCHA play his gaa is .32 and his sv% is .988, allowing one goal on 80 shots.
• Dzingel and McCormick lead the Buckeyes with six points each. Dzingel has a team-best four assists and McCormick is tied with Matt Johnson for first with three goals.
• Dzingel had his third two-assist game and first this season.
• McCormick has a point in six of nine games on the year.
• The Buckeyes’ 35 shots were a season high, while NMU’s 20 shots were a Buckeye opponent low.
• Statchuk’s goal was his first since Jan. 21, 2011 vs. Notre Dame.

Postgame Quotes
Mark Osiecki, Ohio State head coach
On team's shut out win
"We've played like tonight many of nights but we had nothing to show for it then due to injuries and a short bench but tonight was Buckeye hockey as one of my players said going into the locker room."

On the team's limited penalties
"They weren't undisciplined tonight. I attribute that to us moving our feet from the top of the lineup to the bottom."

On the team’s power play
"I'm not worried about our power play. This Ohio State team is fast and we're going to score more goals, I see it every day in practice."

Ryan Dzingel, Ohio State sophomore forward
On his “pass first” mentality
“I usually never think to shoot it and that’s why Coach [Osiecki] is always harping on me. I’m always looking to pass first.”

On the team’s response after going up 2-0
“We knew there was a lot of time left. That’s why we have to play as hard as if it’s 1-1 instead of 2-0.”

On the difference in intensity between the first and second periods
“In the first period we came out strong and in the second period we lapsed. We’ve been playing well at practice and it felt good to come out and show it.”

Brady Hjelle, Ohio State senior goaltender
On facing one shot in the first period
“You get a little bored and try to stay in the game. That’s part of being a goalie. I have to watch the play and try to be ready for anything to come my way.”

Walt Kyle, Northern Michigan head coach
On tonight’s game
“We had a lot of guys who had an opportunity to play tonight. The first period we were awful. We haven’t been a very good Friday night team all season. We were forced to play our top guys early to help get us through that major [penalty].”

On his team’s performance
“We were in the game. I was happy with two things in particular: Jared Coreau and the competitive edge of a few other kids. I didn’t think we responded well in the second period, but Jared is what kept us in the game.”