First Period:

No Scoring.

Second Period:

EMU: Hopper(Chornoby, Pinkerton) [1-0 EMU] PP 6:14
EMU: Nilsson(Pinkerton) [2-0 EMU] 11:37
EMU: Sutton(Hopper, Petsche) [3-0 EMU] PP 18:32

Third Period:

OHIO: Tessmer(Fuhs) [3-1 EMU] PP 1:12
OHIO: Frasse(Ciaverilla) [3-2 EMU] PP 1:33
EMU: Chornoby(Unassisted) [4-2 EMU] SH 5:31
EMU: Schweiger(Chornoby, Lapointe) [5-2 EMU] PP 12:34
OHIO: Ciaverilla(Unassisted) [5-3 EMU] SH 19:37

Ann Arbor, Michigan- Now this is more like it! The Eagles score three goals on the power play and a game changing shorthanded goal to defeat the #4 Ohio University Bobcats at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube by the score of 5-3, securing the series split following Friday's 4-1 Ohio University victory. 

The first period was your traditional Ohio University/Eastern Michigan hockey game that consisted of physical, defensive hockey with both goaltenders making key saves throughout the period. Ultimately Ohio University did seem to carry the play slightly for the first period but it was a lot more competitive than the first period just one week ago versus Illinois. You could tell from the first period that both teams were here to play on the evening. Ultimately though for the third straight game, the first period ended up scoreless.

The second period marked an outstanding period of hockey for the Eagles. For all of you trivia buffs out there, the first goal scored by an Eastern Michigan Eagle in these recaps for the 2007-2008 season was Brian Hopper at the 6:14 mark in the first period on the EMU Power Play. The Eagles executed one of their best power plays in a long while as they moved the puck around beautifully with three sharp, quick crisp passes which ultimately ended up on the stick of Brian Hopper who pounded it home over Ohio University goaltender Chris Carlson to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. The Eagles increased the lead to two goals on a goal from Joakim Nilsson which was set up by a good solid forecheck from Ryan Ward which forced the Ohio University defender to turn the puck over which led to the goal for the Eagles, PJ Pinkerton set up Nilsson's goal for an assist on the play. The Eagles increased the lead to 3-0 again on the power play with only 1:48 left in the period. The Eagles were in the middle of a 4 minute double minor power play and the Eagles capitalized. Hopper and Adam Petsche were credited for assists on the final goal of the second period. That ended the scoring for the second period and sent the Eagles to the locker room with a 3-0 lead much to the delight of the EMU Crowd.

The third period began with the Bobcats on a mission and in the process on fire as well. Within the first minute and a half of the third period on a 4 on 3 power play(which carried over from the end of the second period), the Bobcats cut the lead from three to one. The first power play goal was scored by Ryan Tessmer for Ohio University with an assist credited to Jim Fuhs. With the Eagles now on their heels a bit, the Bobcats capitalized just 22 seconds later on Nick Frasse's goal to turn a relatively comfortable looking three goal lead into a one goal hockey game. The Bobcats now had the momentum and looked to capitalize on it, as they had another power play opportunity looking to tie the game up. However, Ian Chornoby made the game changing play of the game capitalizing on another Ohio University turnover in its own zone and on the breakaway pounded the puck past Carlson to push the Eagles advantage back out to two goals, at 4-2. The Eagles padded the lead seven minutes later to 5-2, again on the power play on Joe Schweiger's goal. The fifth Eagles goal was set up again by some nice passing in front of the Ohio U net, and Schweiger took advantage of a beautiful cross ice pass and put the puck into the empty net. Ohio University then committed a series of penalties at the end of the third period which allowed for the Eagles to salt the game away. However, not before the clock struck 0, Ohio University added a shorthanded goal off of the stick of Tom Ciaverilla to push your final score to 5-3.

Overall, this game was light year's more interesting than the prior two and a very competitive game from the start to the finish. Ohio University uncharacteristically for their defensive brand of hockey turned the puck over twice in their own zone to lead to EMU goals which made a huge difference in the overall outcome of this game. Ohio University has a good, solid hockey club and the Eagles played a solid game to defeat them. 

The Eagles should be really happy with the way that they played this game. However, as any reader of this web site knows, the one area I have been extremely critical of the Eagles over the past couple of years has been their special teams, in particular the nonexistent power play. Tonight, I finally saw a power play that actually benefited the Eagles instead of hampering them. I've always felt that the key to a good power play is good, quick but crisp passing. This is the way that the Red Wings have always had huge success on the power play and tonight the Eagles started to showcase a bit of that. I loved the passing on the power play. In addition, I loved the fact that the Eagles had an effective forecheck the entire game, this helped lead to a pair of goals and actually helped the Eagles along offensively where they've struggled. Defensively the Eagles played a solid game except for that two minute stretch right out of the gate of the third period. They moved well and they really seemed to guess right a lot more than wrong on what Ohio University was doing offensively. 

However, I would also be remiss without saying that this team still has a ways to go in terms of their offensive play. Ohio University is traditionally known as being a very solid defensive team and this was pretty well evidenced by the fact that the Eagles scored four of their goals on the special teams. However, it seems as if the only way in which the Eagles can score on a more consistent basis is when their opponents turn it over in their own zone. They still seem to have problems getting the puck into the offensive zone and putting a consistent attack on their opponents. I understand that it is important to play a solid, defensive brand of hockey but it's one thing to do this with a lead(as they did tonight) versus praying and hoping that one goal will get you by in a particular game. 

Overall though, solid effort, entertaining game, more of what I like to see out of EMU Hockey!

Looking Ahead:
This upcoming week the Eagles will be playing two different opponents in two different venues in the same city. Huh? Friday Night, the Eagles will make a trip to Yost Ice Arena on the campus of the University of Michigan to take on the Wolverines DII ACHA Club at 7:00 PM. If you have not been to a game at Yost Ice Arena even if it isn't for the NCAA D-I club, this is a trip that you will want to make as Yost is one of the best college ice rinks across the country and one of the nicer environments you can experience for a hockey game. The Eagles will then return Saturday Night for a 7:40 PM contest versus Slippery Rock University. 

Go Green!
-Kevin