(*14*)The Buckeyes have a good time after sophomore ahead Joe Dunlap’s (21) purpose right through the Ohio State-Michigan sport Dec. 11, 2021. Ohio State gained 6-1. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor
The No. 14 Ohio State males’s ice hockey workforce will kick off Big Ten play Friday and Saturday when it hosts Wisconsin in a two-game set.
The Buckeyes (2-0) are coming off a weekend set sweep over Mercyhurst to begin the season. Despite the a success get started and preparation enjoying the Lakers gave the Buckeyes, head trainer Steve Rohlik stated the Big Ten is a better problem.
“The Big Ten, it’s just a whole ‘nother level,” Rohlik stated. “You got to be at your best every night. You’re going to get beat. I’ve said that since I’ve been here.”
This may also be the house opener for the Buckeyes. Junior ahead Travis Treloar led Ohio State with 4 issues right through the season-opening collection.
Treloar stated he believes the Big Ten and residential opener will give the Buckeyes further drive and motivation to accomplish neatly.
“Every game is important, but you know, you feel that little extra pressure, but it’s just the environment around it,” Treloar stated. “Wisconsin coming in, in our building, we want to, especially the home opener, we want to shut them down quick and sort of stamp in the big time that we’re here too.”
The Badgers (0-0) have not begun to play anything else greater than an exhibition sport this season, the place they fell to Lakehead 3-2 in extra time Sunday. Last season they went 10-24-3, profitable six convention matchups and scoring 2.05 objectives according to sport on a mean of 32.30 photographs according to sport.
Despite their struggles discovering the again of the web on offense, the Badgers had been sturdy defensively, main the Big Ten in photographs blocked over the season with 562 and 15.19 blocks according to sport. They had been additionally 3rd within the Big Ten in short-handed objectives with 3.
Last season, the Buckeyes had been a success against the Badgers, profitable 3 video games and tying one, outscoring them 17-10. Despite the luck Ohio State had over Wisconsin remaining season, Rohlik stated he is aware of Wisconsin is a skilled workforce, and the Buckeyes wish to play their absolute best.
“These guys are as good as anybody in our league,” Rohlik stated. “They got a ton of talent, and you know, we got to be at our best.”
Senior ahead Jaedon Leslie stated he believes the Buckeyes will likely be able to move this weekend and care for the physicality of Big Ten play.
“I think we’re a group that comes to work every day. We got a great conditioning coach who is pushing us all throughout the summer, and he’s done an excellent job of getting us in shape,” Leslie stated. “Being able to feel good in those third periods is kind of what’s going to push us to get to that next level to maybe get over those tight games and the third period.”
Despite his Wisconsin roots and training against alma mater, Rohlik stated his thoughts is handiest on training the Buckeyes to victory this weekend.
“It was a long time ago. That’s certainly something I’ll never forget. And it’s part of me,” Rohlik stated. “But right now, it’s all about the Buckeyes. And we just got to go out there, and it’s about the 27 guys here to go do our best to prepare these guys to win a hockey game.”
The Buckeyes’ two-game set against the Badgers begins Friday on the Schottenstein Center with puck drop slated for 7 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday. BTN+ will broadcast.