The question on every Buckeye hockey fan’s mind this weekend has got to be whether Ohio State can saddle the Broncos once again.
Last season, the Buckeyes rode roughshod over the Western Michigan Broncos in the first round of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association tournament, sweeping them in Kalamazoo, Mich.
Those same Broncos will arrive in Columbus looking for revenge as the teams faceoff in a two-game series this weekend. The two teams will battle tomorrow and Saturday, with both games starting at 7:05 p.m. at the Schottenstein Center.
OSU is riding high after tying and defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish last weekend. In the first game, the Buckeyes dramatically overcame adversity and questionable officiating to tie the Irish 2-2. Dave Steckel tied the game with 4.7 seconds to go as the traveling Buckeye fans erupted.
Defenseman Doug Andress continued his torrid offensive stretch when he scored his fifth goal this season. Andress scored two goals against Bowling Green in late January.
“We got a little bit lucky,” said OSU forward Scott May.
In the finale, Ryan Kesler and Paul Capanigri scored as the Buckeyes defeated the Irish 2-0. OSU never looked troubled by the Irish as they dominated in puck possession time.
“It was tough. It was our second straight road trip,” May said. “But we’re happy to get three points from the weekend.”
Like last weekend, Western Michigan will present a difficult challenge. The Broncos are coming into this series after a full week off following their sweep of Alaska-Fairbanks.
The Broncos are led by freshman sensation Vince Bellissimo, who is leading the team in points with 24 and tied for the lead in goals with 14.
OSU will counter with goaltender Mike Betz, who had his second shutout of the season against Notre Dame. For his efforts, Betz was named CCHA Defensive Player of the Week.
Along with Betz, sophomore J.B. Bittner has been impressive lately. He caught coach John Markell’s attention enough to be awarded more playing time on the power play.
He rewarded that faith by getting an assist on Andress’ goal.
That goal was the only power play goal, as the Buckeyes only managed to go 1-of-11 with the extra man against the Irish.
The Buckeyes are second in the conference, but only five points separate the top three teams, with OSU sandwiched between Ferris State and Michigan.
These will be the only regular-season meetings between the two teams, but it is possible they could meet again at the conference tournament in March.
Next week Ohio State takes on in-state rival Miami in Oxford on Thursday and then travels to Cincinnati on Saturday afternoon.
“Hopefully we got a good thing going for us into the playoffs,” May said.
