Men’s Hockey To Open The Battle of Ohio – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/7/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Feb. 7, 2001
Ohio State Men’s Hockey
(14-10-2, 11-7-2 CCHA)
vs.
Miami
(15-11-2, 12-7-1)
Game Nights
Friday, Feb. 9, 2001, 7:35 p.m.
Value City Arena (17,500), Columbus, Ohio
Saturday, Feb. 10, 2001, 7:35 p.m.
Goggin Arena, Oxford, Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Buckeyes and RedHawks meet for the first of four regular-season games this weekend. Both squads are coming off two-game sweeps, as Ohio State (14-10-2, 11-7-2 CCHA) defeated Notre Dame and Miami (15-11-2, 12-7-1 CCHA) took two games from Western Michigan.
The squads will face off at 7:35 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, at Value City Arena in Columbus before traveling to Oxford, Ohio, for a 7:35 p.m. tilt in Goggin Ice Arena the next night.
The Broadcasts
The games vs. Miami can be heard live on WOSU (820 AM) and on-line at ohiostatebuckeyes.com. Herb Howenstine will call the action while John Mowat will provide the color commentary. The game Saturday will be televised live on The Ohio News Network from Oxford.
A Full Slate
For the second-consecutive weekend, all 12 Central Collegiate Hockey League teams are playing in conference action.
Another Honor
R.J. Umberger earned CCHA Rookie of the Week honors following his five-point performance against Notre Dame last weekend. He got the Buckeyes on the board in the first game before tallying a career-high four points, on a goal and three assists, in the second game. It was the second three-assist game of his career.
The League Standings
The Buckeyes are tied for fourth (with Nebraska Omaha) in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association standings with 24 points. Miami is in third place with 25 points. (The Buckeyes and RedHawks have played 20 games each this season and have two games in hand on UNO.) Michigan State (21 games) is in first place with 33 points, followed by Michigan (21 games) with 30 points.
The First Night
With a win the first night against Notre Dame, the Buckeyes improved to 9-2 in the first game of their 11 two-game series this season (including a perfect 6-0 on the road). However, the squad has posted a mark of 3-6-2 in the final game of those series, including one overtime win and one overtime loss.
The OSU – Miami Series
Ohio State leads the all-time series with the RedHawks, 42-37-6. Ohio State holds a 28-10-3 lead in games played in Columbus, while Miami has a mark of 25-13-3 in contests in Oxford. The Buckeyes have won the last three games overall, as well as the last five in Columbus.
The Last Five Meetings 2/12/99 L 4-3 (ot) A 12/3/99 L 5-0 A 12/5/99 W 4-1 H 2/29/00 W 3-2 H 3/4/00 W 2-1 A
IT Took A While
The Buckeyes’ win in Goggin Ice Arena to close last season (March 4, 2000), marked the first Ohio State win in the arena since Jan. 18, 1991, breaking a streak of 18-consecutive losses.
Scouting the RedHawks
Miami, which as won four-consecutive games, has posted a mark of 15-11-2 overall this season, 12-7-1 in the CCHA. In its last seven games, Miami’s only losses are two shutout defeats by No. 1 Michigan State (1-0, 5-0).
Jason Deskins ranks first for Miami in goals (16), assists (19) and points (35) this season. Gregor Krajnc is second with 14 goals and 14 assists. Pat Leahy (7-18-25) and Ernie Hartlieb (9-12-21) also have scored more than 20 points this season. Leahy ranks first with six power-play tallies. David Burleigh has played 25 games in net for Miami. He has recorded a 2.86 goals-against average and a save percentage of .891.
Miami’s Coach
Enrico Blasi, a 1994 graduate of Miami, is in his second season at the helm for the RedHawks. In his first season, he led the squad to a 13-20-3 record overall and a ninth-place finish in the CCHA. He served as an assistant coach at Denver for three years, as well as one season as a graduate assistant, before returning to his alma mater last season. A four-year letterwinner for the RedHawks from 1990-94, Blasi helped lead Miami to the CCHA title in 1992-93.
Tough at Home
Miami has won less than half of its games on the road, posting a mark of 6-9-0. In contrast, the squad has lost just one game in Goggin Ice Arena, recording a mark of 9-1-2.
Special Teams
Miami is second in the CCHA in power-play percentage, producing on 21.5 percent of its opportunities (23g/107 chances). The squad is sixth in penalty killing, as it has stopped 82.6 percent of its opponents’ chances.
Miami’s Last Outing
The RedHawks swept CCHA-foe and then-No. 9 ranked Western Michigan in a two-game series last weekend. Miami posted a 4-1 win the first night before exploding for seven goals in a 7-3 victory in the second game. In the second game, Miami put 50 shots on net, including 21 in the first period.
The Series Last Season
The Buckeyes won three-of-four games against the RedHawks last season. Ohio State closed its season with two one-goal wins (3-2, 2-1) over Miami, clinching the Ohio Cup.
The Ohio Cup
The Ohio Cup, established in 1982-83, is a traveling trophy awarded annually by the Buckeye Sports Bulletin to the team – Ohio State, Miami or Bowling Green – with the best record against its other instate opponents. Because of the cluster scheduling of the CCHA, the three teams are not facing each other an equal number of times, as Ohio State and Miami both face Bowling Green twice and face each other four times. The games against Miami this weekend will not be included in the final standings for the Ohio Cup unless the Buckeyes and RedHawks are tied for the championship. Ohio State, the defending champion, has won the title three times. Bowling Green ranks first with 12 championships, followed by Miami with four.
The Standings So Far
Ohio State and Bowling Green split their two-game series earlier this season in the first action for the Ohio Cup. Miami swept the Falcons in a two-game series in January.
Cup Winners
The Ohio State women’s hockey team won the inaugural Ohio Cup, decided by the winner of a game between the Buckeyes and Oilers of Findlay, earlier this season. The Buckeyes topped the Oilers, 5-4, for the title.
OSU’s Last Series
The Buckeyes swept two game from Notre Dame in Value City Arena last weekend. In the first game, Ohio State scored the first three goals of the game en route to a 5-2 victory over the Irish. Mike McCormick led the Buckeyes with two goals, while Dave Steckel posted two goals and an assist. Paul Caponigri added two helpers for OSU.
The next night, R.J. Umberger posted four points, on a goal and three assists, and Paul Caponigri scored twice and added a helper to lead the Buckeyes to a 5-3 victory. Jean-Francois Dufour and Doug Andress each posted two assists in the contest.
High-Scoring Rookies
Four Buckeye freshmen rank among the Top 8 rookie scorers in the CCHA. WMU’s Jeff Campbell ranks first with 34 points (1.26 points per game). OSU’s R.J. Umberger (1.33 ppg) and Dave Steckel (1.27 ppg) are tied for second with 28 points each. Paul Caponigri (1 ppg) is fourth, while Doug Andress (.64 ppg) is tied for eighth.
A Streak Stopped
Dave Steckel was held scoreless in the second game against Notre Dame, halting his scoring streak at 15 games. In the streak, he posted 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points. Steckel has been held scoreless just five times in 22 games this season.
Steckel’s Streak
The following were Dave Steckel’s stats in his 15-game scoring streak that ended in the Buckeyes’ last game vs. Notre Dame:
Date Opp. G-A-P 11/4 UAF 1-0-1 11/10 LSSU 1-1-2 11/11 LSSU 1-0-1 11/18 BGSU 1-0-1 11/19 BGSU 0-1-1 11/28 Findlay 1-2-3 12/1 FSU 0-2-2 12/2 FSU 0-1-1 12/14 WMU 0-1-1 12/15 WMU 2-0-2 1/12 UM 1-1-2 1/13 UM 0-1-1 1/19 ND 2-1-3 1/20 ND 0-1-1 2/2 ND 1-2-3 15 games, 11g, 14a, 25p
Making an Impact
Ohio State freshmen centers Dave Steckel and R.J. Umberger have played in six games since playing in the World Junior Championships in Russia which caused them to miss four Buckeye games. The tandem has led the Buckeyes in scoring since rejoining the squad. Each player has posted 10 points, on four goals and six assists. The Buckeyes are 4-1-1 since the duo has returned.
At the Helm
John Markell is in his sixth full season at the helm for the Buckeyes. He has led Ohio State to NCAA Tournament appearances in two of the last three seasons, including a berth in the Frozen Four in 1998. Markell, a four-year letterwinner at Bowling Green and one of only five CCHA players to earn first team all-conference honors three times, has a career record of 99-109-18.
Within One
Ohio State head coach John Markell is one win away from his 100th career victory. Markell, in his sixth full season at the helm, has posted a career and Ohio State mark of 99-109-18.
The Stars
The CCHA has implemented a program, the Perani Cup, which awards points to each player selected the first (three points), second (two) or third (one) star of each conference game (as selected by the media). Goalie Mike Betz leads the Buckeyes with six points. Dave Steckel and Paul Caponigri are tied for second with five points each. R.J. Umberger has four points, while Doug Andress and Mike McCormick have two each. Luke Pavlas has one point so far this season.
On the PP
The Buckeyes have scored with the man advantage in seven-consecutive games. In the second series with Notre Dame, Ohio State was 5-for-14 (35.7 percent)
Ohio State’s PP in the last seven games: 1/6 WMU 1/8 1/12 UM 1/7 1/13 UM 1/5 1/19 ND 1/3 1/20 ND 1/5 2/2 ND 2/7 2/3 ND 3/7 7 games, 10 goals/42 chances (23.8%)
The Leaders
Jean-Francois Dufour ranks first for the Buckeyes with 30 points. Dave Steckel and R.J. Umberger are tied for second with 28 points each. Steckel ranks first with 13 goals, while Dufour leads with 18 assists.
Everything Else
Jean-Francois Dufour ranks first for the Buckeyes in power play goals with a career-high seven and in shots with 79. Dave Steckel leads the Buckeyes in plus/minus (+12), shooting percentage (25 percent) and penalty minutes (52).
Streaks
Scoring (3 or more consecutive games) Dufour 6 games (2-6-8) Umberger 5 games (4-6-10)
Plus/minus of even or better Bencharski 21 games* McCormick 22 games Des Gagne 9 games May 6 games Smith 6 games Whiting 5 games Broccoli 4 games Freeman 4 games Latorre 4 games Pavlas 3 games *Has not had a minus rating this season
Consistency
With two wins over Notre Dame, the Buckeyes have now earned at least two points in eight of nine conference two-game series this season. The squad has earned four points at Lake Superior and against Notre Dame (2-0), three points at Ferris State and Notre Dame (1-0-1) and two points vs. UAF (1-1), Bowling Green (1-1), Michigan (1-1), Northern Michigan (1-1) and the first series with WMU (1-1).
Near the Top
Jean-Francois Dufour, R.J. Umberger and Dave Steckel are tied for eighth in the CCHA with 24 points each in league games this season. Dufour is the third-highest scoring senior, while Steckel and Umberger are tied for the rookie scoring lead in CCHA games. Dufour is tied for 10th in the league with 13 assists and ranks second with seven power-play goals in league games. Steckel is tied for ninth in goals, first among rookies, in the CCHA.
In all games, Dufour is 11th (30 points) and Umberger and Steckel are tied for 12th (28 points) in points. Paul Caponigri is tied for 21st with 25 points.
20+
Four Buckeyes have 20 or more points this season, led by Jean-Francois Dufour’s 30 points. Dave Steckel (28), R.J. Umberger (28) and Paul Caponigri (25) all have surpassed the 20-point plateau. Last season only two Buckeyes, Dufour (35) and Eric Meloche (31), posted more than 20 points.
The PK
Ohio State’s penalty killing has improved in the last six games, stopping 30-of-34 (88.2 percent) opponent advantages, including a perfect 8-for-8 performance against Michigan and 6-for-6 outing vs. Notre Dame.
Ohio State’s PK in the last six games: 1/12 vs. Michigan 8/8 1/13 vs. Michigan 4/5 1/19 at Notre Dame 6/7 1/20 at Notre Dame 2/2 2/2 vs. Notre Dame 6/6 2/3 vs. Notre Dame 4/6
Breaking it Down
The Buckeyes have now played an even number of games at home and on the road (not including the squad’s two neutral-site games).
Home Road Games 12 12 Record 7-5-0 7-3-2 CCHA Rec’d 5-5-0 6-2-2 Goals 45 38 Goals/Game 3.8 3.2 Goals Allwd . 33 27 Gls. Allws/Gm 2.8 2.3 PP 14-74 12-66 PP % 18.9% 18.2% PK 62-75 55-61 PK % 82.7% 90.2% PIM/Game 24.3 17.0 Shots/Game 31.9 26.5 Shts Alld/Gm 25.2 31.3
The Scoring Breakdown
R.J. Umberger leads the Buckeyes in scoring at home in Value City Arena, while Dave Steckel ranks first on the squad in scoring on the road.
Home Scoring (10+ points) GM G A P Umberger 9 7 7 14 Steckel 10 5 7 12 Dufour 12 4 8 12 Ganga 12 7 4 11 Caponigri 12 3 7 10
Road Scoring (10+ points) GM G A P Steckel 12 8 8 16 Dufour 12 8 7 15 Umberger 12 5 9 14 Caponigri 11 5 7 12
Betz’s Breakdown
Goalie Mike Betz has posted a goals-against average of 2.12 and a saves percentage of .930 in 12 road games this season. At home, his GAA is 2.89, while his saves percentage is .887 in 11 games.
Posting Points
Paul Caponigri has recorded eight point in his last four games, including two three-point outings. He ranks second on the squad with five power-play goals, including two PPGs in his last game.
10+
So far this season, nine current Buckeyes (10 total) have recorded 10 or more points: Jean-Francois Dufour (30), Dave Steckel (28), R.J. Umberger (28), Paul Caponigri (25), Nick Ganga (17), Mike McCormick (16), Doug Andress (16), Scott May (13) and Luke Pavlas (10). At the end of last season only nine Buckeyes had reached double-digits in points.
Staying Out of the Box
The Buckeyes recorded less penalties than the Irish in each win over the weekend. The squad is now 7-2-1 when its opponents spend more time in the penalty box. Ohio State is averaging 8.6 penalties and 20.3 penalty minutes per game this season. It’s opponents have received an average of 8.5 fouls called and 18.9 minutes in the penalty box per game.
Lighting the Lamp
The Buckeyes are averaging 4.25 goals per game in their last four outings, including three five-goal performances.
Dougie
Freshman defenseman Doug Andress ranks sixth on the squad with 11 assists this season. He is tied for second on the squad with 10 power-play points. Andress has not been held scoreless for more than one-consecutive game over his last 19 outings. He is tied for fifth among league defensemen overall and tied for second among rookies.
Score More
The Buckeyes are 7-2-0 this season when tallying five or more times. The squad tallied five times or more just three times last season.
Keeping the Shots Down
Ohio State has allowed more than 30 shots just five times in its last 18 games. The Buckeyes are 10-5-1 when allowing 30 or less shots on goal and 4-5-1 when giving up 31 or more. The Buckeyes have lost just once (4-1) when allowing 11-20 shots on goal. When the Buckeyes post more shots than their opponents, they are 9-3-1 this season.
Up Next
Next weekend, the Buckeyes travel to Omaha, Neb. for a two-game series with Nebraska Omaha Friday-Saturday, Feb. 19-20. It will be Ohio State’s first trip to Omaha, as the Mavericks joined the CCHA last season. The Buckeyes were 1-0-1 vs. UNO in two games in Value City Arena last season.
Homecoming
The Buckeyes return to Value City Arena Feb. 23-24 when they play host to CCHA leader Michigan State. The squads will face off at 7:35 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23 and at 7:05 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24.
