Hockey Falls on Friday Night; Splits Opening Big Ten Series

Nov. 21, 2014

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COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State broke a scoreless game with two second-period goals and went on to defeat the Michigan State hockey team, 3-0, on Friday night at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. After the series split, MSU is now 4-7 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten.

"I didn't think we matched their intensity tonight," MSU head coach Tom Anastos said. "They were the better team tonight; they deserved to win the game."

Ohio State (4-7-1, 1-1) got its first goal 2:16 into the second period when goaltender Jake Hildebrand initially looked to have stopped Matt Johnson's shot off an odd-man rush, but the play was reviewed and then called a goal.

The 2-on-1 developed out of the neutral zone with Johnson taking the puck across the MSU blue line down the left side. Johnson threw the puck on goal where Hildebrand, already deep in his net, appeared to keep the puck out with his stick and blocker. Play continued without a whistle until a stoppage at 16:43 when the officials reviewed the play and awarded the goal.

"I don't think that took the wind out of our sails," Anastos said. "Our guys came to the bench saying it might have gone in."

Ohio State made it 2-0 with a power-play goal at the 7:54 mark of the second period. Drew Brevig's shot from the point was perfectly deflected into the net by Nick Schilkey, who was positioned in the low slot off to Hildebrand's right. The goal came four seconds before the MSU penalty was set to expire.

Darik Angeli converted on a 2-on-1 just over three minutes into the third period to make it 3-0 Buckeyes. Angeli one-timed Schilkey's pass from the left side past a sliding Hildebrand just before the net was dislodged from its moorings.

"After we got behind, it was tough to get to the net and things kind of snowballed over a period of time," Anastos said. "I give them credit, they played a good game."

The Spartans got the better chances early in the first period, including a shorthanded, semi-breakaway attempt by Matt DeBlouw that goaltender Matt Tomkins snared with his glove.

Hildebrand and the Spartans fought off an early Buckeye power play, but OSU's better scoring chances came toward the later part of the opening stanza. One of OSU's best opportunities to get the first goal came off a rebound attempt in front by Angeli. After Hildebrand stopped a shot from the slot, the puck found its way to Angeli, who put it right back on goal, only for the goaltender to deny one more opportunity.

After being outshot, 14-11, in the first period, the Spartans finished the game with a 29-28 edge.

"We did have some good looks throughout the game tonight for sure, but their goalie came up big. I think they won the key moments of the game," Anastos said.

Michigan State will step back out of conference play next weekend when it travels to Princeton for a two game set with the Tigers.