MHKY: No. 5 Buckeyes Tie Minnesota, 2-2
Ohio State claims extra B1G point with 3×3 win
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – In game one of a Big Ten Conference series, the No. 5-ranked Ohio State men’s hockey team skated to a 2-2 tie with Minnesota Friday.
The game was a tie for NCAA purposes following a 5-minute 5×5 overtime. The teams went to a 3×3 overtime for an extra point in the Big Ten standings, with Ohio State prevailing with 36 seconds left in the OT on a Matt Miller power play goal.
The Buckeyes are 9-4-2 on the year and 4-2-1-1 in Big Ten play, while the Gophers are 4-6-2 and 2-2-1-0 in conference action. The squads will close the series at 5 p.m. ET Saturday. SportsTime Ohio will carry the game, with the broadcast originating from Fox Sports North and also available on BTN2Go and the TSN app. Ohio State radio will have the games on 1460 AM and on the Ohio State Buckeyes mobile app. The game closes the first half of the schedule for the Buckeyes.
Quoting Buckeye head coach Steve Rohlik
“It was nice to get the extra point. It was our first time playing the 3×3 overtime and it was certainly entertaining. It was disappointing to give up a goal at the end, but give the guys credit for bouncing back in overtime and getting the win.”
Quoting Buckeye goalie Sean Romeo
“Minnesota is always a tough place to play so any time you can come in there and get a win we will take it. Now we are focusing on finishing the job tomorrow.”
Ohio State 2, Minnesota 2/OT
The Buckeyes trailed 1-0 after the first period on a shorthanded goal at 14:33. Buckeye senior and Minnesota native John Wiitala tied the game at 6:06 of the second, converting on a pass from Tanner Laczynski, with Wyatt Ege (another Minnesota native) also assisting. The game remained tied until 17:12 of the third, when Buckeye junior Ronnie Hein scored on a breakaway, set up by Freddy Gerard and Matt Miller. The Gophers tied the game with 41 seconds left in regulation, tallying on a 6×4 advantage while on the power play and with the net empty.
Neither team scored in five minutes of overtime. Buckeye goalie Sean Romeo kept the game tied with a #SCTop10 save all.
The Buckeyes were unable to convert on four power play chances in the game, with the Gophers 1-for-2.
Buckeyes Pick Up Extra B1G Point
The Buckeyes and Gophers went to the 3×3 overtime for a Big Ten point, a new protocol in the Big Ten this year. (Stats from the 3×3 overtime are not included in season totals.)
Minnesota had a power play chance at 1:17 but the Buckeyes were able to kill the penalty, with Sean Romeo making five saves. At 3:40 Ohio State went on the power play. Mason Jobst took a pass from Laczynzki and set the puck to Matt Miller for a one-timer and Buckeye win.
Minnesota had six shots in the 3×3 overtime, the Buckeyes put four on net.
Saves and Shots
- The Buckeyes outshot the Gophers, 29-17, in the game.
- Sean Romeo made 21 saves in 64:48 for the Buckeyes.
- Minnesota’s Mat Robson had 27 saves in 64:31.
- The Buckeyes blocked 13 shots, led by Mason Jobst with four and Brendon Kearney and Sasha Larocque with three.
- Ohio State is holding opponents to 2.0 goals a game on the year and has allowed two or fewer goals in 12 of 15 games this season.