Sometimes getting that illusive title clinching win can relieve pressure and let a team’s true colors show. The Ohio State hockey team played relaxed, loose and fast tonight at home — – taking it to the Michigan State Spartans 5-1, just one game after popping the cork on a conference clinching win over Michigan last weekend.
The scoring started early eight minutes into the first period with Eugene Fadyeyev’s first goal of the year. It came after Miguel Fidler stole the puck in the Spartan end and found Fadyeyev in the slot.
Michigan State tied it in the second, and then the flood gates opened. Matt Miller and Freddy Gerard both lit the lamp in the second to make it 3-1, and then Ronnie Hein and John Wiitala each added a tally in the final period to post the final score of 5-1.
With the win, the Buckeyes improved their record to 19-8-5 overall, and 12-6-4 in the Big Ten. Ohio State and Michigan State will do battle one last time at 5 PM Saturday night in the regular-season finale.
Then, it’s Big Ten Tournament time and likely more for Ohio State.
