Eric Boggs
No. 14 Ohio State men’s hockey flexed its dominance with a sweep of Lindenwood this past weekend, pushing their record to an impressive 9-2-1. The Buckeyes showcased resilience and depth in back-to-back victories, defeating the Lions 5-2 on Friday and grinding out a 3-2 win on Saturday.
Friday: Buckeyes Overpower Lions with Explosive Second Period
After a quiet first period in Maryland Heights, Missouri, Ohio State erupted in the second, netting four goals to take control. Sophomore Gunnarwolfe Fontaine ignited the scoring with back-to-back goals, giving the Buckeyes a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Fontaine’s first came on a rush from the left wing, assisted by Noah Powell and Ryan Gordon. His second, a beautifully executed tic-tac-toe play, involved Riley Thompson and Davis Burnside.
Thompson continued his stellar form with a power-play goal later in the period, while Powell added his first collegiate goal to make it 4-1 heading into the final frame.
Although Lindenwood’s David Gagnon cut the deficit with a power-play goal early in the third, Thompson responded minutes later, securing a 5-2 win for the Buckeyes. Goalie Kristoffer Eberly stood tall with 23 saves, while the Buckeyes outshot the Lions 28-25.
Saturday: Buckeyes Grit Out One-Goal Win
Saturday’s matchup was a tighter affair. Lindenwood struck first just 1:38 into the game, but Gunnarwolfe Fontaine continued his red-hot weekend, scoring on a power play midway through the first to even the score.
In the second period, the Buckeyes and Lions traded goals before Davis Burnside delivered the game-winner, converting on a 4-on-4 opportunity. Assists came from Riley Thompson and Theo Wallberg.
Ohio State’s defense locked down in the third, led by goalie Logan Terness, who made eight of his 26 saves in the final frame to preserve the 3-2 victory.
Riley Thompson: Big Ten’s Best
Sophomore forward Riley Thompson was named Big Ten First Star of the Week after a stellar series. With five points (two goals, three assists) across the two games, Thompson proved instrumental in the Buckeyes’ success. He currently leads the team with 15 points and ranks among the NCAA’s top players in assists and points per game.
Looking Ahead
Ohio State heads into a bye week riding high but will face tougher tests as the season progresses. Following Thanksgiving weekend matchups at Princeton, the Buckeyes will return to Value City Arena for key Big Ten series against Penn State and Notre Dame. With momentum on their side, the Buckeyes are poised to solidify their standing as one of the top teams in college hockey this season.
