A foul stench is drifting south from up north, and no, it’s not the Olentangy River.
It seems like only yesterday Will Allen intercepted a pass on the last play of the game to seal Ohio State’s bid to the Fiesta Bowl.
Now, Michigan comes to town next weekend to play the Ohio State men’s hockey team in a crucial CCHA battle which will effect the placement of both teams in the upcoming conference tournament.
The Buckeyes need our help.
A recent slide dropped OSU into the No. 3 spot in the CCHA, but victories at Northern Michigan this weekend and Michigan at home could ensure a bye in the tournament.
This Buckeye squad is an impressive hockey club with loads of talent. Forward R.J. Umberger leads the team with 21 goals, including six game winners, and 24 assists. In last Saturday’s loss to Alaska-Fairbanks, Umberger made a spectacular play which rivaled many NHL highlights. In a smooth motion, he brushed aside a defender while placing the puck between his legs and up to his stick. A lightning-quick shot rose from his stick and found the upper corner of the back of the net.
Talent also reigns on defense. OSU is led by captain Scott Titus, and goaltender Mike Betz. The Buckeyes post the best defense in the league, allowing a fraction over two goals per game, and they have the fourth-best penalty kill in the country.
On top of those stats, OSU has arguably one of the best goaltenders in college hockey — Betz. He is ranked first in the conference in goals against average.
Not enough?
Forward Ryan Kesler, a rookie, is ninth in the country in freshman scoring and played well at the Junior Championships in Canada.
But coming into the Michigan series, OSU’s mix of young and seasoned talent is slightly bruised, as key players forwards Dan Knapp and Dave Steckel are injured. Knapp was off to a brilliant start with six goals and 12 assists in 17 games, but went down for the rest of the season. Steckel did not play in the second half of the Fairbanks series, and his return is unknown at this point.
With the Buckeyes slipping in the rankings, the team needs fan support to win. The Schottenstein Center is a large venue, and it needs some noise. Tickets for the Michigan game are only $3 for students and $5 for the general public. You would pay at least 10 times that price to see the Blue Jackets, and their playoff picture is about as bright as a man on death row.
This is the fourth time under coach John Markell the Buckeyes have reached the 20-win plateau, and the team has potential to do well in the tourney.
Rekindle the passion showed for the football team as OSU faces off against that team up north next weekend.
Ted Williams is a junior in journalism and can be reached at
