Ohio State
Air Force (Championship)
Ohio State Rallies for 3-3 OT Tie vs. Air Force
10/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Oct. 8, 2016
DENVER — With two third period goals, the Ohio State men’s hockey team skated to a 3-3 overtime tie with Air Force in the championship game of the Ice Breaker Tournament at Magness Arena in Denver Saturday. Air Force won the tournament trophy with a 1-0 win in a shootout.
Ohio State and Air Force both end the season-opening weekend 1-0-1. The Buckeyes defeated No. 3-ranked Denver, 3-2, Friday.
Ohio State 3, Air Force 3 OT, Briefly
Air Force scored three minutes into the game and carried the one-goal lead into intermission. Just 3:44 into the second Buckeye freshman Ronnie Hein deadlocked the score but the Falcons scored twice before the period was through to go ahead 3-1 after 40 minutes. Just eight seconds into the third an Ohio State goal was waived off but Ohio State then drew within one on a goal by John Wiitala at 2:44. Nick Schilkey tied the game at 14:43, scoring just two seconds after a Buckeye power play expired. Neither team was able to score the rest of the way.
Air Force outshot the Buckeyes 7-1 in overtime but senior goalie Matt Tomkins, who came in to start the third period after an injury to starter Christian Frey, stopped all seven attempts to preserve the tie. The game was final for NCAA statistics and records following the five-minute overtime.
Quoting Coach Rohlik
“This was a hard fought contest between two good hockey teams. Give Air Force credit – they are well coached and I have a lot of respect for Coach Serratore and how his team plays. I like the way we battled back from down 3-1, especially after getting an early goal disallowed early in the third and still coming back to tie it. We have a long way to go and have to correct some of our mistakes but we will get to work.”
Tourney Title to Air Force
For tournament purposes, after the five-minute 5-on-5 overtime the game went to a 3-on-3 overtime period for five minutes. Because of penalties and ensuing power plays, less than 30 seconds of the 3-on-3 was actually played with six skaters on the ice. Ohio State outshot Air Force, 4-2, in the stanza.
With the game still tied, a shootout was conducted. Ohio State shot first and was unsuccessful and Air Force scored on its first attempt. Air Force was then declared the tournament champion.
Buckeyes Named to All-Tourney Team
At the conclusion of the tournament, Buckeye sophomore forward John Wiitala and senior defensman Josh Healey were named to the Ice Breaker All-Tournament Team. Wiitala had a goal in each game and Healey had an assist and five blocked shots.
Air Force Ahead 1-0 After 1
The Falcons scored just three minutes into the game, with a shot from the point by Phil Boje getting through on a delayed penalty. Air Force had five of the first six shots but the Buckeyes then had 10 of the next 11. In all, Ohio State outshot the Falcons, 19-9, in the period, including five combined shots on two power play chances. Air Force had one chance with the man advantage.
Buckeyes Tie Game, But Air Force Responds
Ohio State stopped Air Force on a power play that carried into the second period. After the kill, Buckeye freshman Ronnie Hein notched his first career goal, scoring off a scramble in front. Sophomore Miguel Fidler and senior Josh Healey assisted on the goal, which came at 3:44.
Air Force then scored on the power play at 11:35 and at even strength at 17:57 to go ahead 3-1 and carry the lead into intermission
Buckeye Goals in the Third
Ohio State started the third on the power play and just eight seconds into the period the Buckeyes thought they had drawn within one on a Nick Schilkey score, but the goal was waived off because of goalie interference. At 2:44 Ronnie Hein threw the puck on net and his rebound went right to John Wiitala in front and he tallied with the goalie out of position. Freshman Tanner Laczynski also assisted on the goal, Wiitala’s second of the weekend.
Wiitala drew a penalty with 7:19 remaining. The Buckeyes did not convert with the man advantage but two seconds later Schilkey scored off a loose puck in front to deadlock the score at three with 5:17 remaining in regulation.
The Buckeyes went on the power play after a holding call with 2:13 remaining, but Air Force held strong. A final Buckeye shot at the buzzer was saved to send the teams to overtime.
Tomkins Strong in OT
In the five minute overtime, Air Force put seven shots on net, but Matt Tomkins shut the door to keep the game tied. Ohio State had one shot in overtime. A Buckeye penalty for too many men on the ice was called with 17 seconds remaining, putting Air Force on its seventh power play of the night.
Blocking Pucks
Senior Christian Frey played the first two periods (39:43) in goal for the Buckeyes and made 15 saves, allowing three goals. His classmate Matt Tomkins came in to start the third and played the final 25:00, stopping all 10 shots he faced. Tomkins is the goalie of record.
The Buckeyes outshot Air Force, 49-28. Shane Starrett, the tournament MVP, had 46 saves in 64:55 for the Falcons.
Ohio State, which blocked 21 shots Friday vs. Denver, blocked 20 Falcon attempts. Sophomore Sasha Larocque led the way with four while seniors Josh Healey, Drew Brevig and forward Nick Schilkey each blocked three.
Special Teams
The teams combined for 13 power plays in the game. Ohio State was 0-for-6, including 0-for-3 in the third period, and Air Force was 1-for-7, with their power play tally in the second period.
For the weekend, Ohio State was 1-for-9 on the power play and 10-for-12 on the penalty kill.
Freshmen in the Game
? Ronnie Hein, playing in his second game as a Buckeye, notched his first goal, assist and multiple-point game vs. Air Force.
? Tanner Laczynski had an assist for the second game in a row.
? Defenseman Gordi Myer played his first game for the Scarlet and Gray.
100
Senior defensemen Josh Healey and Drew Brevig both marked the 100th game of their Buckeye career in the matchup vs. Air Force. They are tied for second in games played among current Buckeyes behind Nick Schilkey (108). Schilkey, who entered the game ninth in points among current NCAA players, now has 91 points for the Scarlet and Gray.
On the Scoresheet
? For the weekend, John Wiitala led the Buckeyes with two goals and was one of six Buckeyes who had two points.
? In all, 12 Buckeye skaters picked up at least one point in the tournament.
Next Up
Ohio State has one game next weekend, playing at Miami at 8:05 p.m. Saturday in Oxford. The Buckeyes then play at Bowling Green Oct. 21 before opening their home schedule at 7 p.m Oct. 22 in Value City Arena.
