From WOUB Public Media
By Ella Hughes
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB)– It was the last home game of the season at Bird Arena and No. 2 ranked Ohio Hockey would take on their rival No. 6 ranked Liberty University. It was also senior night for the Bobcats who honored eight seniors before the game. The Bobcats lost their perfect home record falling to the Flames 3-1 in the final game at Bird Arena this season.
Tommy Kleopfer, Luc Reeve, Drake Albers, Jack Glen, Hollander Thompsn, Scott Bird, Garrett Alderman and Matt Zazon were joined by their families for a pre-game ceremony celebrating their accomplishments during their Ohio Hockey careers. Head Coach Barry Schutte honored the players in his own way by starting five senior forwards and Alderman in net.
It was an intense matchup from the drop of the puck, but Ohio would be the team to strike first. Nolan Abraham would send one past Konrad Kausch to give the Bobcats a one goal lead just two minutes into the period.
Ohio defenseman TJ Richey would get a five minute major penalty for spearing that would give the Flames the man advantage. Liberty forward Aiden Carney would send the puck over a stretched out Alderman to tie the game 1-1 with six minutes left in the first period.
Tensions would reach a boiling point in the second period with a plethora of post whistle scrums in front of both nets. Big hits would be momentum shifters with each team delivering when they needed to. However, Liberty would be the team to capitalize on their momentum when Kal Essenmacher would score a shorthanded goal to give his team the 2-1 lead.
The third period would prove pivotal and serve as a last chance for the Bobcats to make a comeback. With time dwindling down Ohio was looking for something to spark on offense. A late powerplay would be one of their best chances of the period but they were unable to convert on the mad advantage.
Schutte would pull Alderman for the extra skater with a minute left in regulation, but the Flames would hit the empty net sealing their 3-1 victory. Liberty would hand Ohio their only home loss of the season and the Bobcats would finish home play with a 21-1 record.
Both teams will see each other again next weekend in their final games of the regular season at Liberty University before the playoffs start in St. Louis on March 12.
(Originally published at https://woub.org/2026/02/15/ohio-hockey-loses-final-home-game-of-the-year-to-rival-liberty/)
