Buckeyes Drop Game to No. 4 Spartans, 5-2

Saturday, February 24

East Lansing, Mich.

6:00 PM

Ohio State

12-16-4, 4-16-2

Michigan State University

21-8-3, 15-5-2

Ohio State

Michigan State

Photo by: Michael Caples

Buckeyes Drop Game to No. 4 Spartans, 5-2

2/24/2024 10:11:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State men's hockey team lost to No. 4-ranked Michigan State, 5-2, Saturday in Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing. The teams were tied at one after the first period, but the Spartans scored three times in the second, including twice on a major power play, to push ahead. Each team tallied once in the third for the final.

The Buckeyes (12-16-4, 4-16-2 B1G) and Spartans (21-8-3, 15-5-2 B1G) end the weekend with a series split after a 6-2 Ohio State victory Friday. The loss ended a three-game winning streak for the Buckeyes, with all three vs. No. 4-ranked teams.

Quoting head coach Steve Rohlik
"This was a disappointing loss. It was a tight game, but the five-minute major really hurt us. Again, special teams was the difference. We battled hard, but you can't put yourself in that position. We need to regroup and get ready for Penn State next weekend."

How it Happened

Michigan State opened the scoring at 14:51.
Less than two minutes later, Buckeye freshman Max Montes tied the game. He forced a turnover in the Spartan end and scored unassisted from the faceoff circle at 16:46.
The teams combined for 27 shots in the first period, with the Buckeyes ahead, 14-13. Ohio State had the only power play chance.
Patrick Geary broke the tie at 8:24 of the second for Michigan State. Just over a minute later a Buckeye was assessed a major for hitting from behind, sending the Spartans to the power play for the first time. Michigan State took advantage, with goals at 11:35 and 12:19, for a 4-1 lead.
The Spartans had 12 shots in the second, with Ohio State putting 10 on net.
In the third, Buckeye Scooter Brickey tallied his team-best 11th goal of the year at 6:25, scoring from the high slot, set up by Thomas Weis and Davis Burnside.
MSU added a power play goal at 12:55 to regain its three-goal lead and neither team scored the rest of the way. The Spartans outshot the Buckeyes 9-6 in the third.
For the game, Michigan State led in shots, 34-30. Buckeye goalie Kristoffer Eberly made 29 saves in 59:47.
Michigan State won the special teams battle, going 3-for-4 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
Mason Klee and Brent Johnson each had two shot blocks, with Ohio State compiling 10 as a team.

Buckeye This and That

Brickey has the most goals for a Buckeye defenseman since Ryan Root scored 11 in 1997-98. The captain also scored Friday, when he became the first Buckeye blueliner since Root to score at least 10 goals in a season. Brickey is second on the squad in scoring this year with 24 points.
Burnside is on a four-game point streak, with three goals and an assist in the stretch. He ranks third on the squad with 16 assists and 23 points.
Montes now has six goals on the year, leading the Buckeye freshmen in goals.

The Schedule Ahead

Ohio State will close the regular season with games vs. Penn State in Columbus Friday and Saturday. The Buckeye senior class will be recognized before game two vs. the Nittany Lions. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. for game one and 5 p.m. for game two. Tickets are available online HERE and parking is free around the arena on gamenight.