Men’s Hockey: Buckeyes Fall to No. 2 Denver, 3-1 – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/25/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
DENVER, Colo. Against No. 2 Denver Friday night, the Ohio State men’s hockey team lost, 3-1, in game one of a two-game series in Magness Arena. The teams will close out the series at 9:07 ET Saturday in Denver. The game will be streamed live on the web at OhioStateBuckeyes.com as part of the Buckeye Vision subscription package.
The Buckeyes trailed, 2-0, at the end of the second period, but cut the lead to one with a 5-on-3 goal six minutes into the third. Denver responded less than three minutes later and held on for the 3-1 win. Ohio State now is 1-3-1 on the year, with Denver undefeated at 4-0-0.
The teams were scoreless after the first period, combining for 25 shots on goal. Ohio State put 14 shots on net, with sophomore goalie Dustin Carlson stopping all 11 Pioneer opportunities. Denver was scoreless on two power-play chances and the Buckeyes had one opportunity. The Pioneers had a goal waived off at 3:33 after video review ruled there was a crease violation.
Denver scored twice in the second period. Anthony Maiani put the Pioneers on the board with a 5-on-3 power-play goal at 10:48, just seven seconds after the two-man advantage began. Kyle Ostrow made the score 2-0 when he redirected a pass from the side of the net at 16:36. Carlson made 17 saves in the period, as the Pioneers outshot the Buckeyes, 19-8. DU was 1-for-3 with the man advantage and Ohio State had one chance.
The Buckeyes drew within one on Matt Bartkowski’s first career goal in the third period. With the Buckeyes skating 5-on-3, Shane Sims got the puck down low to Corey Elkins by the right post. Elkins passed up to Bartkowski at the left point and his floating shot got past DU goalie Marc Cheverie at 6:00. Denver regained its two-goal lead at 8:17 when Ostrow’s shot got over the goal line from in close. Ohio State pulled Carlson for the extra skater with less than a minute remaining, but could not get closer. The Buckeyes outshot the Pioneers in 20-6, in the period. The Buckeyes scored once on four power-play chances in the period (including one short chance to end the game) and Denver was scoreless on two opportunities.
Carlson was a standout in the game, stopping 33 shots in 59:19, two shy of his career best. Denver’s Cheverie had 41 saves in all 60 minutes. For the game, Ohio State outshot Denver, 42-36.
Each team had one power-play goal in the contest. Ohio State was 1-for-6 and Denver was 1-for-7 with the man advantage.
Postgame Notes
Elkins extended his scoring streak to four, with three goals and an assist.
The Buckeyes had a season-best 42 shots in the game, the second time this season the team had at least 40 shots.
John Albert was held scoreless for the first time this season. He has a team-best six points on the year.
The Buckeyes were held to a season-low one goal.
Denver entered the game first in the nation in scoring, averaging 6.0 goals a game.
