COLUMBUS, Ohio —
It’s always a spectacle when Ohio State and Michigan meet. Whether it’s on the gridiron on a cold and gloomy autumn afternoon or in an NHL barn for a shot at the Big Ten Title game, you can be sure that sparks are going to fly. With Ohio State winning all four contests this year against Michigan, they were determined to close the deal and shut Michigan out for the year. It would take overtime, but through a gritty and desperate style of play, the Buckeyes defeated the Wolverines, 3-2, to move on to the Big Ten Championship game.
Ohio State came out in the first period with some big hits and an aggressive style of play that came with some scares, but also a big reward. The Wolverines had some good looks, including a breakaway opportunity for Quinn Hughes after a defensive breakdown, only to be turned away by goaltender Sean Romeo. Despite flying across the ice and dolling out jarring hits, the Buckeyes remained disciplined and stayed out of the box while drawing four minutes worth of power play opportunities.
After Cooper Marody went to the box for hooking, Ohio State’s power-play unit broke the scoring drought when Toledo, Ohio, native Gordi Myer rifled one from the left circle, beating Lavigne high glove side for a 1-0 Buckeyes lead late in the first period.
“It’s always nice to get your first goal,” Gordi said. “I had room along the wall to walk down and shoot it. Dakota (Joshua) had a great screen, and in a big game it’s always nice to get a great goal.”
Marody however, was not about to let his rival dominate another game. He crashed the net, and after a stop was made, Marody grabbed the deflected puck out of the air, set it down, and buried it to tie the game.
In the third period, Michigan’s penalty woes continued, with Quinn Hughes taking a bad penalty for holding the stick. The eighth best power-play unit in the country struck again when Wiitala’s shot deflected off a Wolverine skate and the body of Dakota Joshua, beating Lavigne’s glove. This marked the Buckeyes second power-play goal of the game, and more importantly the lead.
The lead was short-lived with Marody on the ice for the Wolverines. Janik Moser went to the box for hooking, giving Michigan a golden chance at redemption after a dreadful power-play chance the first time around. Marody was fed a pass off the faceoff and slung a spin-o-rama wrister that beat Romeo top shelf.
The chirping and shoving between these two teams grew with each scoring chance traded off. Michigan coach Mel Pearson said, “It’s Michigan against Ohio State; it’s going to be more physical. There’s gonna be some trash talking, but both teams did a good job not getting overboard.”
Overtime lasted a mere 32 seconds as the Buckeyes’ grit and determination that was visible throughout all three led to the game-winner as Matthew Weis went up the middle, beating Lavigne five-hole.
Despite scoring a goal that he’ll remember for the rest of his life, Weis seemed more focused on the weekend ahead against the Fighting Irish. When asked about his emotions with scoring the game-winner, Weis said “It’s unbelievable; where this team is going is great to see. We’re just looking forward to next week in South Bend.”
Pearson, when asked about his team’s play, said, “It wasn’t bad. Give them credit, they’re a good team, and the two teams that have been the best all season long are meeting in the championship game; it came down to one goal.”
“We’re playing a program that we have respect for, and they beat us three times this season,” said Buckeyes coach Steve Rohlik of the championship game. “We’re gonna chip at this week and hopefully go in there and compete at the highest level.”