vs./@ Ohio State (12/16-12/17)

[mbenecke]

This isn’t just another series, folks. On Friday night, The Slate will be stuffed, and the teams will be chippy. It’s an in-state rivalry, and it’s going to be tough.

Following a tough weekend against Minnesota State, our Falcons (8-10-0) will take on the #14 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-7-1) in a home and home series. Game 1 will be played in Bowling Green with a 7:07pm start, and Game 2 will be played in Columbus and begin at 7:00pm. Friday night’s contest will be available to stream through FloHockey, while Saturday night’s game will be exclusively on BTN+.

This Ohio State team has lost 5 of their last 8 games, but they will likely feel refreshed after an off week, so it will be on our guys to set the tone this weekend. We’ll need to keep an eye on Jake Wise and Stephen Halliday this weekend, as those are their 2 leading scorers. If we can limit their presence on the scoresheet, our chances to win should increase considerably.

We are looking for our first win against Ohio State since the Schottenstein Slaughter (an 8-2 BG win in Columbus) on October 26, 2018. We’re also looking for our first home win against the Buckeyes since October 10, 2015, which was a 2-0 BG win.

There are less than 1,000 tickets available as of December 7th (5 days ago) and there are certainly less now than there were then, so if you are planning to go to this game, I would purchase tickets ASAP. At last check, there were only 62 reserved seats remaining for Friday night's contest. Nothing better than a sold out game in our building! And it's an Orange Out - so wear your orange!

Goalie Matchup:

BGSU
Christian Stoever, So. - 2.87 GAA, .920 SV%
Zack Rose, Sr. - 3.44 GAA, .891 SV%
Salvatore Evola, Fr. - 3.36, .889 SV%

Ohio State
Jakub Dobes, So. - 2.33 GAA, .915 SV%

Go Falcons - Beat Ohio State!

[jpfalcon09]

Expecting a Buckeye sweep. Anything better than that will be house money.

Unfortunately the overall talent level on the roster isn't good enough to keep up with the top-20 or so programs in college hockey. And that sucks.

[pdt1081]

Will be without Swankler Friday night.

For those with Flo, I highly encourage you to go watch Swankler's hit, then watch the play/hit on Lellig about 2 and a half minutes into Friday nights game.

[BG84]

I maintain that wearing orange at home is bad luck. Prove me wrong!

[mbenecke]

Lots of energy in the building, as the clock strikes 30 minutes til gametime.

Falcons in our alternate orange sweaters, with the Buckeyes wearing their home whites.

BG is finally back to skating 7 defensemen, with Jack Blake in tonight’s lineup as the extra skater.

Stoever in net. Let’s ride.

[jpfalcon09]

Team is on their heels way too much to start this one. Really poor start.

[jpfalcon09]

Thiesing makes it 1-0 Buckeyes on a PP goal.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

In tonight’s coaches talk Stavros said that the Buckeyes do not want to get into the type of tough, physical game we played last week. Well, since we can’t seem to catch them to hit them, I’d say being down 1-0 is pretty good.

[jpfalcon09]

In tonight’s coaches talk Stavros said that the Buckeyes do not want to get into the type of tough, physical game we played last week. Well, since we can’t seem to catch them to hit them, I’d say being down 1-0 is pretty good.

Buckeyes have seemed fully capable of throwing their weight around so far. I really question what the coaching staff looks at strategy wise when it comes to some of these games.

[mbenecke]

Ohio State is much bigger, faster, and more skilled than we are.

And yet, it’s 1-1 after 2 periods. Gotta kill 20 seconds of a 5x3 and then another 75 seconds of 5x4 after that. The first minute and a half of the 3rd are crucial.

Big period coming up…

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Their forecheck is strong. We’ve struggled against this type of team all year.

[mbenecke]

Buckeyes go ahead 2-1.

We just take too many weak or unnecessary penalties, man. And then the difference is special teams - we’re 0/3, and they’re 2/5.

Have to convert our chances, or we have no shot.

[mbenecke]

BG tied it on a PP, but Ohio State answered right back.

Buckeyes 3, Falcons 2.

9:41 to play.

[mbenecke]

And a disastrous turnover leads to an OSU goal. This one’s over.

[jpfalcon09]

4-2 Buckeyes after a terrible turnover by Norris. This club just isn't very good.