From The Post
By Maggie Allwein
This past weekend at the Chicago Classic, Ohio faced off with three teams, including Minot State University on Sunday. By a final score of 5-2, the Bobcats were able to take home the victory.
Minot is currently the top team in the league, according to the latest ACHA ranking from Nov. 12. Coming in with a 10-1-1 record; the Bobcats knew that this was going to be one of their greatest tests of the season.
Senior Justin Damon displayed a powerful performance from the moment the puck dropped. The night prior, head coach Lionel Mauron thought it would be beneficial to give him a break to prepare for the game against Minot. Considering his 19 saves throughout the game, Damon seemed to react well to the rest from the night before.
Freshman Will Cohen also stepped up and played a fast and strong game, scoring the first Bobcat goal of the day in the second period. Because of his performance, he was named one of the stars of the game.
Laker Aldridge continues to show his determination on the ice game after game. The Sophomore scored two goals in the second period, one of them being the game-winner.
Later in the third period, freshman Barron Stibbe secured the fifth and final goal.
Following the impressive performance of the team, Coach Mauron was pleased with the Bobcats.
“It was great. I think that this weekend we won three games from behind,” Mauron said. “So we have a lot of character and we’re starting to find our groove, our identity.”
Mauron took note of aspects of the game that he thought meant the team was doing well. He explained that they’re becoming a more cohesive unit as the season goes on.
“Defense is really good. I think we were able to escape the pressure pretty good,” Mauron said. “And then transition to speed. I think our game as a whole is coming together.”
Following the Chicago Showcase, Mauron is happy that the Bobcats will be able to take a break during Thanksgiving.
“We need to get healthy. We’re pretty beat up right now. We’re gonna take the week off, and then rest,” said Mauron.
(Originally published at https://www.thepostathens.com/article/2023/11/ohio-university-hockey-minot-state-win-top-team-in-acha-chicago-showcase)
