No. 7 Minnesota (10-7-1 overall, 4-5-1-1 B1G) vs No. 15/13 Ohio State (8-4-4 overall, 3-4-1 B1G)
Date: Friday, Dec. 8, 2017
Location: Value City Arena | Columbus, Ohio
Puck Drop: 5:30 p.m. CT
TV: Big Ten Network
Stream: BTN2Go
Radio: 1130 KTLK AM | 103.5 FM | Listen Online
Date: Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017
Location: Value City Arena | Columbus, Ohio
Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. CT
TV: Big Ten Network
Stream: BTN2Go
Radio: 1130 KTLK AM | 103.5 FM | Listen Online
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
The Gophers head to Columbus this weekend to take on a ranked Ohio State squad. Minnesota has been dominant against the Buckeyes, posting a 26-5-1 record in the all-time series.
This dominance extends when playing on the road where the Gophers are 7-2-1 against OSU. That’s good news for Minnesota as the Buckeyes are a dreadful 1-3-3 at home this year.
Though Minnesota is going through their own offensive struggles, they still rank ahead of an Ohio State team that’s scoring just 2.69 goals per game.
A big reason for the lack of production for OSU is a conference-worst 15.2% conversion rate on the power play.
The player to watch for OSU is junior Mason Jobst. The reigning scoring leader in the Big Ten (55 points in 39 games last year) has found success against Minnesota. When playing the Maroon and Gold, Jobst has six goals and 10 points in nine meetings.
There should be plenty of familiarity between the two teams. Tyler Sheehy was once an OSU commit, and three Buckeyes are Minnesota natives.
STORYLINE CENTRAL
Home ice hasn’t been much of an advantage for Ohio State. Wyatt Crosher of the Lantern takes a look at the Buckeyes continued struggles at home.
Despite Jobst’s career success, a new Buckeye has been stealing the spotlight this season. Josh Horton with the Columbus Dispatch profiles sophomore Tanner Lacyznski who leads Ohio State with 20 points.
Winning is fun. Winning in overtime for the sweep is more fun. Here’s some highlights of when Minnesota did that to OSU a couple years ago.
QUOTES
Don Lucia
On Ohio State:
“We go to Ohio State. They’re 8-4-4 on the season. I looked at their roster, I think they have three guys that didn’t play in the NCAA tournament, last year, so they’re a very veteran team. We’ve had good success, there, over the years and hopefully that’ll continue, this weekend.”
Ryan Lindgren
“We’re at Ohio State, this weekend. They’re obviously a really good team. They made the NCAA tournament, last year. I think they’re ranked like No. 11 in the Pairwise so we have to be ready for them. The Big Ten is a great league and it just keeps getting better and better which I think is really good.”
Casey Mittelstadt
On OSU:
“I’ve watched them play a few times in the past, out here at Minnesota. I think, from what I’ve heard, they’re going to play fast, try to score goals, makes plays. Kind of similar to us, I think. Like I said, it’s a big two games for us so we have to get out there and be ready to go.”