Oct. 21, 2001
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio State Buckeyes got third period goals from Dave Steckel and Scott May to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 victory at Value City Arena Sunday afternoon. The win runs OSU’s unbeaten streak to 4-0-2 in the last six meetings versus the Irish and drops Notre Dame to 1-7-1 in the last nine meetings in Columbus.
The loss leaves the Irish still looking for their first win of the season at 0-3-1 overall and 0-1-1 in CCHA play. Ohio State is now 1-0-1 on the season and 1-0-1 in league play.
Coach Dave Poulin was disappointed with the tough loss, but is pleased with the progress he sees in his team. “We played better today than we did yesterday. We have to learn to win these kind of games and we will,” says Poulin. “I thought we really controlled the play early and made some big plays that resulted in goals. I really like my team.”
Poulin had to be pleased with the efforts of sophomore center Aaron Gill on Notre Dame’s first goal of the night. Gill’s hard work and hustle resulted in his second goal of the season at 7:39.
Irish forechecking trapped Ohio State in its own zone and defenseman Tom Galvin kept a loose puck in at the blue line and fired a shot from the right point on goal. OSU goaltender Mike Betz stopped that shot but had trouble handling the rebound. Gill fought off a defenseman and got to the puck putting a backhander on the net. Betz made the initial stop but the rebound rolled behind him into the crease. While laying on the ice, Gill was able to push the puck over the goal line for the 1-0 lead.
Less than two minutes later, the Irish took a 2-0 lead as they took advantage of a Buckeye turnover. Right wing Brad Wanchaluk took the puck away from the OSU defense at the top of the right wing circle, moved in and took a shot that Betz got his pads on. The rebound came out to Connor Dunlop and the junior forward lifted it over Betz for his first goal of the season at 9:16.
Fifty-three seconds later, Ohio State bounced back. With a delayed penalty called against the Irish, the Buckeyes pressed the attack in the Notre Dame zone. Junior Miguel Lafleche fired a shot just wide and R.J. Umberger tracked down the loose puck in the right wing corner and walked it to the net. His shot rolled through the crease to a wide-open Scott May who banged it past Irish netminder Morgan Cey at 10:09 for his first goal of the season.
The score would remain 2-1 until the 8:01 mark of the third period when R.J. Umberger found Dave Steckel all alone in front and the sophomore left wing tucked it past Cey to tie the game at 2-2.
May notched the game winner for Ohio State with his second goal of the night at 13:16 of the final period. Right wing Daymen Bencharek threw the puck in front to May who got a weak shot off on Cey. The rebound bounced just out of the freshman goaltender’s reach and May was able to poke it inside the right post for the deciding goal.
For the game, Ohio State outshot Notre Dame by a 34-24 margin. Cey made 31 saves on the afternoon and had 63 for his first weekend of CCHA play. Betz made 22 saves in the Ohio State goal.
The Irish continue their six-game road trip on Friday, Oct. 26 when they travel to Boston College to face the defending national champion Eagles in a 7:05 p.m. (6:05 p.m. in South Bend) start. On Saturday, Oct. 27 Notre Dame will play at Northeastern in another 7:05 start (6:05 p.m. in South Bend).
Game Summary: 1 2 3 F
Notre Dame (0-2-1/0-0-1) 2 0 0 2
Ohio State (0-0-0/0-0-0) 1 0 2 3
Scoring
First Period: ND Aaron Gill 2 (Tom Galvin), 7:39, ND: Connor Dunlop 1 (Brad Wanchulak), 9:15, OSU: Scott May 1 (R.J. Umberger, Miguel Lafleche), 10:09.
Penalties: ND: 1 for 2 minutes, OSU: 0 for 0 minutes.
Second Period: No Scoring.
Penalties: ND: 2 for 4 minutes, OSU: 1 for 2 minutes.
Third Period: OSU: Dave Steckel 1 (R.J. Umberger), 8:01, OSU: May 2 (Daymen Bencharski), 13:16.
Penalties: ND: 3 for 6 minutes, OSU: 2 for 4 minutes.
Shots On Goal:
Notre Dame 13 – 5 – 6 – 24
Ohio State 10 – 12 – 12 – 34
Goaltender Saves:
ND – Morgan Cey (58:35) 9 – 12 – 10 – 31
OSU – Mike Betz (60:00) 11 – 5 – 6 – 22
Power Plays:
ND: 0 for 1
OSU: 0 for 3
Attendance: 6,079