The Ohio State men’s hockey team has a daunting task ahead, as the team faces eight CCHA opponents before the holiday break.
OSU comes off a great weekend where it swept the Lake Superior State Lakers.
Friday, the Buckeyes handily defeated the Lakers 4-1, and the line of Dan Knapp, Ryan Kesler and R.J. Umberger combined for nine points. Knapp and Kesler, both freshmen who have been impressive this year, are among the leading scoring freshmen in the nation.
“They’re doing their job and competing. You don’t have to worry about them being a liability on the ice,” said OSU men’s hockey coach John Markell.
The Buckeyes completed the sweep Saturday with a 5-2 victory, gaining four points in the CCHA. Miguel Lafleche led the way in the second game with two goals and one assist. Dave Caruso tallied his second victory of the season, stopping 23 of 25 shots on goal.
“When you get five goals scored for you, it makes it easier to relax a little in goal,” Caruso said.
This week is going to be a tougher for the Buckeyes against the Michigan State Spartans.
OSU does have some positive momentum coming into the game. The team out-shot the Lakers in both games, and their special teams came up big. OSU scored on three of nine power-play opportunities and held the Lakers scoreless on all 11 of their man-advantages over the weekend.
Goaltending has been a key for the Buckeyes. Mike Betz has been solid in goal with Caruso beginning to make a name for himself.
“We needed to get him (Caruso) in some games,” Betz said.
In Caruso’s two games thus far, he has two wins and is anxious for the chance to play more games.
“Not playing 11 months and then every minute of every game I’m on the ice, I get back into it,” Caruso said.
Michigan State comes to OSU winning the last four of five games. The Spartans of this season are not playing like the perennial power they have been most other years. That may be because of the transition to new men’s hockey coach Rick Cromley.
He replaces the all-time winningest coach in college hockey, Ron Mason. Mason gave up the coaching position to become MSU’s athletics director.
OSU has had trouble in the past with the Spartans, but last year the Buckeyes swept the Spartans in East Lansing, winning two and tying the game in Columbus.
“Michigan State is a good team, they are a dangerous hockey club and they pose some problems like Minnesota and Cornell,” Markell said.
OSU has played well of late and look to continue their success.
“Overall, Michigan State is a good team with a lot of depth. It would be nice to get a good start and a few hits in. We just have to play hard for 60 minutes.” Lafleche said.
The Buckeyes face-off against the Spartans at 7:05 p.m. tomorrow and again at the same time on Saturday.
