Eric Boggs
The No. 9/8-ranked Ohio State men’s hockey team battled through an intense weekend series against Penn State, securing a 6-6 tie in the opener before falling 3-2 in overtime in the finale at Pegula Ice Arena in University Park, Pa.
Friday’s matchup saw a whirlwind of scoring as the Buckeyes surged to a 3-0 lead midway through the second period, only for Penn State to mount a comeback and even the score early in the third. The teams exchanged goals in a wild final period that featured seven total tallies, with each side taking a turn with the lead. Ohio State’s Riley Thompson appeared to have netted the game-winner at 14:07, but the Nittany Lions responded in the final seconds, tying the contest with just 12.5 seconds remaining. A scoreless overtime period led to a shootout, where Penn State’s Dylan Lugris sealed the extra Big Ten point.
On Saturday, the defensive intensity heightened, with both teams remaining scoreless through the first period. Penn State broke through on a power play goal at 2:59 of the second period, and the 1-0 advantage held into the third. Ohio State’s Riley Thompson capitalized on a power play opportunity to knot the score at 8:36, but the Nittany Lions responded at 16:30 to reclaim the lead. With time winding down, Buckeye Patrick Guzzo delivered a clutch equalizer, scoring with just 21 seconds left to force overtime. However, Penn State ended the game at 3:26 in the extra frame, capitalizing on a turnover to secure the 3-2 victory.
Ohio State now holds a 15-7-2 record overall and an 8-5-1 mark in Big Ten play. Throughout the weekend, Buckeye netminders were tested as Logan Terness recorded 27 saves in the second game, while Kristoffer Eberly stopped 33 shots in the opener. The Buckeyes showed resilience, with six different players scoring in the first game and key contributors like Thompson and Guzzo stepping up in crucial moments.
Head coach Steve Rohlik acknowledged the team’s effort, emphasizing the need to improve defensively and prepare for the upcoming challenge against No. 2-ranked Michigan State. The Buckeyes will return home to Value City Arena for a pivotal series against the Spartans, with games scheduled for Thursday at 8 p.m. and Friday at 7 p.m.
