Game Day
Alaska Nanooks (4-3-1) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (2-2-2)
Value City Arena, Columbus, Ohio - 3:05PM AKST
Live Video - BuckeyeVision ($)
Live Internet Radio - Bruce Cech - 820sports.com
Live Stats - OhioStateBuckeys.com Game Center
The Nanooks seek revenge against a Buckeyes team that outscored us 8-2 in our previous two game series in Columbus last season about this same time. The Nanooks are a much different team this season however, but so is OSU. Much about the same, in fact. OSU is also running a goaltending-by-committee approach after losing Cal Heeter to graduation. Brady Hjelle and Colin Olson both sit pretty much dead even with each other at 1-1-1 with .927 and .926 save percentages respectively, and each with a 2.27 GAA. Doesn't get any closer than that. The lone difference being that Hjelle has faced a total of 2 more shots than Olson has between 3 games played. You really can't make that up...
Ohio State also seems to be struggling a bit offensively, only putting up 11 goals in 6 games for 1.83 goals per game. The Nanooks have scored 19 goals in 8 games for a 2.38 goals/game average, but allowing 22 for 2.75 against explains the 3 losses. Of course the 6 goal against game with Ferris State doesn't help that average any.
The interesting part about this Ohio State team though isn't in the statistics. It's in the roster. Of 27 guys dressing for the Buckeyes, only 10 are either juniors or seniors. 10 sophomores and 7 freshmen round out this very young roster. And only one of those upper classmen (Alex Carlson) has a goal to their credit.
The Buckeyes played Bowling Green two weeks ago to a 1-0 25-save shutout win for Brady Hjelle before Saturday's 3-3 tie and shootout loss. According to Mark Osiecki, the Buckeyes are pretty battered after three straight road trips to start the season, electing only to practice twice during their bye-week to allow some of the guys to heal and rest up.
On the Nanooks side, the team left for Columbus on Tuesday night, arriving mid-day Wednesday. Not travelling this go around is Sean Cahill, who stayed behind. John Keeney will get the start in net Friday with just his second collegiate start. Steve Thompson will serve as the EBUG. Garrick Perry also gets his skates laced up again in his second game of the season after missing some time due to an injury. Nik Yaremchuk still remains sidelined, although it sounds like Nik might be back sooner rather than later. Time will tell with him.
This series should be fun to watch!
Here's the lines for the Nanooks
F1 Granberg - Morley - Taranto
F2 Gehon - Henderson - Youngmun
F3 Beck - Kunyk - Huysmans
F4 Dumond - Perry - Hajdukovich
D1 Quinn - Parayko
D2 Odegard - Campbell
D3 Tateson - Atkinson
G1 Keeney
G2 Thompson
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