COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State men’s hockey team rallied from a third-period deficit to close out the first half of play with a 3-2 win over Bentley in a non-conference game in Value City Arena Saturday. Buckeye sophomore Hunter Bishop (Vernon Vipers/BCHL) tied the game at 11:55 of the third and freshman Zac Dalpe (Penticton Vees/ BCHL) tapped in a puck from mid-air at 1:11 of overtime to give Ohio State the win.
The Buckeyes enter break 11-6-1on the year (6-5-1-1 CCHA) and as winners of nine of their last 10 games, including the last six. Bentley is 6-8-1 (5-4-1 AHA).
Ohio State opened the scoring at 6:04 of the first period when sophomore Shane Sims led Hunter Bishop down the right side into the Falcon zone, and sophomore Sergio Somma deflected Bishop’s pass under Falcon goalie Kyle Rank for his fifth goal of the season and fourth in the last five games.
Bishop then scored at 11:55 of the third, as senior captain Zach Pelletier passed to him in the crease and he was able to lift the puck over Falcon goalie Kyle Rank.
Dalpe scored on the only shot of overtime. Bishop is on a five-game goal scoring streak and has six points in his last five games combined. Dalpe’s goal was his team-best ninth goal of the year and his second in three games.
Post-game quotes:
Hunter Bishop, Ohio State sophomore forward on Ohio State’s winning streak:
“It’s exciting to come back from break with a streak going on and we need to stay strong. Like coach said, we need to say even-keeled and keep riding this wave. We’re having fun.”
On the 19-day break:
“College hockey is different and first-year guys don’t know what to expect with the different teams and different competition levels. We have are feeling comfortable right now and have a lot of confidence and will be ready to make a run at it when we get back.”
Zac Dalpe, Ohio State freshman forward on his gamewinning goal:
“It was a timely goal and I think the goalie hit it a couple times before I was able to whack it in. It’ll be nice to go home for break with us being such a young team. We just need to keep it running when we get back.”
