Eric Boggs
The Ohio State men’s hockey team concluded a hard-fought weekend series against Minnesota with mixed results, splitting the two games in Columbus. On Friday, the No. 11 Buckeyes delivered a commanding 5-1 victory over the No. 3 Gophers at Value City Arena, capitalizing on a strong start and efficient special teams play. Saturday, however, saw a reversal of fortune, as Minnesota bounced back with a dominant 6-1 win, handing Ohio State its first home loss of the season.
Friday’s game set an optimistic tone for the Buckeyes. Max Montes opened the scoring in the first period, finishing a well-executed rush initiated by Thomas Weis. In the second period, Jake Rozzi doubled the lead with a goal off a loose puck near the net. The Buckeyes’ penalty kill shone during a five-minute major penalty, denying Minnesota a chance to shift momentum. Early in the third, Ohio State took full advantage of a major penalty against the Gophers, scoring twice in quick succession. Gunnarwolfe Fontaine and Nathan McBrayer each netted power-play goals, extending the lead to 4-0. Although Minnesota broke through with a goal midway through the final period, Davis Burnside sealed the victory with an empty-netter from the Buckeye zone. Kristoffer Eberly’s 29 saves anchored the defensive effort, while Montes and Rozzi both recorded a goal and an assist.
Ohio State’s Friday performance showcased their resilience and opportunistic play, with head coach Steve Rohlik crediting the early lead and special teams for the win. The Buckeyes’ power play continued to excel, now boasting a goal in eight consecutive games. Fontaine extended his scoring streak to seven games with his team-leading 10th goal of the season, while Burnside pushed his point streak to seven games as well.
Saturday’s rematch proved a tougher challenge for the Buckeyes. Minnesota surged to a 3-0 lead in the first period, including a power-play goal just 2:42 into the game after an Ohio State penalty for too many men on the ice. The Gophers added two more goals in the second period, both on the power play, before extending the lead to 6-0 in the third. Ohio State broke the shutout late in the game when Fontaine scored his team-high 11th goal, assisted by Damien Carfagna and Max Montes. Despite outshooting Minnesota 18-8 in the second period and matching their opponent’s 33 shots overall, the Buckeyes struggled to capitalize on opportunities, including an extended 5-on-3 advantage. Eberly and Logan Terness combined for 27 saves in the loss.
The weekend split leaves Ohio State with a 15-6-1 overall record and an 8-4-0 mark in Big Ten play. Minnesota improved to 18-4-2 and 9-2-1 in the conference. The Buckeyes remain strong at home, now 9-1-1 in Columbus, and their defensive discipline has kept opponents to an average of just 2.18 goals per game this season.
Looking ahead, Ohio State takes a brief break before traveling to face Penn State in a road series on January 24-25. The Buckeyes return to Value City Arena on January 30 and February 1 for pivotal matchups against top-ranked Michigan State. Tickets for home games are available through the Ohio State Athletics Ticket Office, with free parking provided for all men’s hockey events.
This weekend’s series highlighted the Buckeyes’ potential against elite competition but also underscored areas for improvement as they push deeper into conference play.
