It took more than anyone wanted, but the Ohio State men’s hockey team can now say that it’s the regular season Big Ten Champions.
The Buckeyes have been in a clinching scenario since last weekend, but got swept by Minnesota, then dropped the first game to TTUN last night to still keep the drama going.
The fact that they needed overtime tonight in Ann Arbor only delayed the desire of many, but a breakaway goal by captain Mason Jobst in overtime sealed the deal.
Ohio State was actually down 2-1 heading into the second period of play, but goals by seniors Brendon Kearney and John Wiitala put it ahead 3-2 going to the last period.
But Michigan wasn’t done.
The Wolverines got the equalizer with to tie it at 3-3 with 10:25 left in the contest, and both teams rode it out from there to send the game into overtime. In the first 4 on 4 overtime, neither team could take advantage, so it went to a 3 on 3 second OT, and that’s when all the heroics and celebration began for the Buckeyes.
The title is Ohio State’s first ever Big Ten Championship and just the first conference championship since the 1971-72 season in the old CCHA.
The B1G regular season title also guarantees the Buckeyes the No. 1 overall seed in the upcoming conference tournament, meaning it’ll get a bye all the way to the single-elimination semifinals. It’ll also host throughout.
Now on to bigger and better things.
