COLUMBUS, Ohio — Junior forward Freddy Gerard’s 11th goal of the year from just inside the blue line at the left side wall caromed off of a Spartans defender and slipped across the goal line to provide the second-seeded Buckeyes with a 4-3 overtime win over visiting No. 7 seed Michigan State at Value City Arena.
Junior forward Mason Jobst started things off for Ohio State with his 18th goal of the season just 40 seconds into a power play after Michigan State junior defenseman Zach Osborn was whistled at 10:29 for cross-checking. The Spartans reciprocated and took as 2-1 lead on a power play goal by junior forward Cody Milan at 19:33 of the first and an even strength tally by sophomore forward Patrick Khodorenko just 29 seconds into the second period.
Jobst went back to work seven minutes, 14 seconds later, scoring his 19th of the year on junior forward Brendon Kearney’s 12th assist of the year to knot things up at 2-2. Michigan State wasn’t going quietly as freshman forward Tommy Apap put the Spartans back ahead only 22 seconds later. Ohio State kept pace, though, as junior forward John Wiitala delivered an unassisted, tying goal at 11:22.
Michigan State goaltender John Lethemon kept the Spartans in it with 38 saves, 15 of which came in the third period. Sean Romeo took the win with 15 saves as the Buckeyes only allowed one shot on goal in the extra frame.