The game started out as a very physical contest, both teams were definitely throwing their weight around. The scoring started late in the first period with the Friars getting on the board first with a goal from Nick Saracino. Saracino's goal was answered by the Bucks a short 20 seconds later by Anthony Greco, leveling the score at 1-1. The Friars were not done, late in the first Brian Pinho giving the Friars the 2-1 lead going into the locker room. Both Friars' goals were the result of Bucks turnovers in their own zone.
Early into the 2nd, 6:48 to be exact, Anthony Greco netted his second goal of the game to tie the score at 2. Greco is a junior from Minnesota, it says a lot for your program if you can get some of those Minnesota kids out of that state. The Friars would retake the lead when Trevor Mingoia scored on a 3 to 1 brake. The Bucks' goalie Christian Frey just could not get his skate to the post and Mingoia put it home for the 3-2 lead.
Into the third, the Bucks' power play and Tanner Fritz came alive. The Bucks and Fritz would get an early PP goal in the third. About 5 minutes later, the Friars' Tom Parisi literally snuck the puck inside the post with Frey right there. It was not one of the best plays by Frey but he fought well all night in net. Just under four minutes later Fritz would come up big again on the Ohio State power play to tie the game. Exactly, what you need in the third period, your captain getting two huge goals in a big game to keep your team close.
The Buckeyes would get a carry over power play from regulation into OT. Anthony Greco, just 28 seconds into the sudden death OT scores the game winner for his hat trick. This sent Value City arena into a frenzy, well except the Providence fans seated next to me. I believe they came to Columbus thinking they were going to push the Buckeyes around, and well the Bucks on this night pushed back. I think that is a great tribute to their coach Steve Rohlik, the players have bought into this grind it out system and its proving results.
It cannot be understated that Providence is a great team. They have a nasty and aggressive fore check. They love to throw their weight around like I said before. They play the eastern style of hockey very well, which relies on scoring with a bit of nastiness. Brian Pinho might be the best player that exemplifies this. He was in the middle of scrums all night and he was able to net one of the Friars' goals. A great player, I hope we get to see more of him in the professional ranks. |
| Friar Tuck ;) |
The man for the Bucks matching Pinho's toughness on this night had to be Justin DaSilva. DaSilva is the Buckeyes' biggest defensemen at 6-6, 222. He was matched up against Pinho for much of the game. There was a bunch of penalties called tonight and there could have been many more because of the style of play. You have to hand to it to the officials for letting the players decide the game and not sending guys to the box to simply just bumping each other. Kudos to the zebras on this night.
The Friars and the Buckeyes will be back at it again on Saturday night. Its going to be the same bat time on the same bat channel, as the Friars look to level the series. It was a great game, thanks to the Buckeyes 5 goals, the fans got free Big Macs at McDonalds. My section actually won the Raisin' Cane power play giveaway, and got a free Canes' combo. I have said this before and I will say it again, this team is the best kept secret on the Ohio State campus. The Bucks are a good team and they will definitely be a pest in the Big Ten this year.
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