Men’s Hockey: Ohio State Opens Year with Shootout Win over No. 8 Miami – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/11/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
COLUMBUS, Ohio After skating to a 3-3 tie through regulation and overtime, Ohio State and No. 8 Miami went to the first shootout in Central Collegiate Hockey Association play. The Buckeyes prevailed for the conference win, as Corey Elkins, Zac Dalpe and Peter Boyd all converted their shootout attempts and Joseph Palmer made one save, to win the shootout, 3-1.
Ohio State led, 2-0, at the end of the first period before the RedHawks tied the game with two goals of their own in the second stanza. Ohio State took the lead (3-2) just 29 seconds into the third period and held the advantage until Miami converted a 5-on-3 power-play chance to tie the game at 3. Buckeye goalie Joseph Palmer made three saves in overtime, with the Buckeyes putting one shot on net.
The teams will close out the home-and-home series at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at Steve Cady Arena in Oxford, Ohio. The shootout win gives the Buckeyes two points in CCHA play, while the RedHawks get one point for the shootout loss. The game is recorded as a tie for NCAA tournament purposes.
Sophomore captain Peter Boyd opened the scoring with a power-play goal from the right faceoff circle at 12:10, taking passes from linemates sophomores Sergio Somma and John Albert. Sophomore Patrick Schafer converted a 2-on-1 shorthanded break with classmate defenseman Chris Reed at 14:08. Ohio State outshot Miami, 11-7, in the period and stopped the RedHawks on all three power-play chances. The Buckeyes were 1-for-2 with the man advantage.
The RedHawks scored twice late in the second period to tie the game. Carter Camper tallied a power-play goal at 13:38, putting in the rebound of a Jarod Palmer shot. Justin Vaive scored with 47 seconds remaining in the period to knot the score. The RedHawks had 12 shots in the period, Ohio State 11. Miami was 1-for-3 on the power play in the period, Ohio State was 0-for-3.
Somma scored 29 seconds into the third period, off assists from sophomore defenseman Shane Sims and Albert. The Buckeyes killed off all five minutes of a 5-minute major, but the RedHawks converted with Ohio State two men down at 14:21, as Palmer tallied, off assists from Chris Wideman and Camper. Ohio State had six shots on net, Miami five. Miami was 1-for-3 on the power play in the period and Ohio State was scoreless on two chances.
In overtime, Miami put three shots on net, attempting 10. The Buckeyes had one shot on net.
The teams then went to the first shootout for conference play. Ohio State shot first, with senior Elkins converting. Palmer stopped Pat Cannone on the RedHawks’ first chance. Freshman Dalpe converted his attempt, with Camper responding with a goal of his own. Boyd then sealed the Buckeye shootout victory with a goal in the third round.
For the game, Ohio State outshot Miami, 29-27. Palmer made 24 saves in 64:54 and Cody Reichard had 26 saves for the RedHawks in 64:35 between the pipes.
The Buckeyes were 1-for-7 with the man advantage and Miami was 2-for-9 on the power play.
Postgame Notes
Schafer’s shorthanded goal was the first of his career.
Sophomores accounted for all eight of the Buckeyes’ points in regulation.
Somma had his first two-point game since Jan. 5, 2008 vs. Alaska and the third of his career.
John Albert had the third two-assist game of his Buckeye career and his first since Jan. 26, 2008 at Lake Superior State.
Postgame Quotes
Enrico Blasi, Miami head coach
On the game
“It was a really good hockey game. Ohio State has much better speed up front and (Joseph) Palmer played great tonight. I think we got better as the game went on and were fortunate to get that five-on-three and a goal out of it. All night the five-on-five hockey game was exciting.”
On the shootout
“It doesn’t feel like a loss because we got a point. We just need to keep getting contribution from our older guys while the younger guys get more experience.”
On Miami
“We need to watch video but I think the theme for the season will be paying attention to detail on every shift. I was pleased with the effort. This team showed a lot of character tonight.”
John Markell, Ohio State head coach
On the shootout
“The shootout was exciting for the fans. I didn’t expect it this early in the season. The win in the shootout was important for us because last year we lost to them in a shootout situation. I was excited for the young guys to get some payback.”
On Joseph Palmer
“Joe played terrific and showed what he’s about. He had a long, hard summer. He worked extremely hard and got into a good place mentally.”
On the game
“It was a hard fought game but we came out with a positive. I was impressed by Miami and its young athletes. I was impressed with our guys, too. It was a good, competitive game.”
Joseph Palmer, junior goalkeeper
On the shootout
“It is a great way to start off the season. You’re nervous about how the shootout is going to affect you during the season and fortunately for us we got the win tonight.”
On the shootout win
“It feels good. Miami is always going to play hard no matter when or where. Games against Miami are always fun.”
On the Buckeye freshmen
“The freshmen know what to expect heading into tomorrow’s game. They know Miami is going to come out hard.”
John Albert, sophomore forward
On the game
“You want to start every period strong and the second period was tough. We had to put our heads down and battle through it. We bounced back with a quick goal in the third.”
