Ohio earns first win over Liberty this season in exhibition game

For the Liberty University men’s Division I hockey team, the last regular season home game did not go as planned. In an exhibition matchup against the Ohio University Bobcats, the Flames hoped to head into the ACHA National Tournament with increased momentum, earning their fifth win over the Bobcats on the season.    

However, the Flames wouldn’t earn that fifth win Feb. 24, dropping their last home game before the ACHA National Tournament by a score of 4-2. The troubles started early and piled up throughout most of the game for the Flames, as the No. 8 Bobcats found the back of the net just 32 seconds into the first period. The goal was scored by Ohio forward Mathieu Ovaert, and it set the tone early on in the game.

The early goal from Ohio would not go unanswered, as Liberty freshman forward Ryan Finch answered with a goal of his own with 7:16 to play in the first period to knot the score early on. The tie would not last long, as less than a minute later, Ovaert scored his second goal of the night, once again giving the Bobcats the advantage in the score column and allowing them to take a 2-1 lead with them into the first intermission. 

Heading into the second period, it would be more of the same from Ohio as it would tack on two more goals to extend its lead to 4-1. Bobcats forward Drake Albers netted the first goal with 13:13 to go in the second period, which gave his team a 3-1 lead. Ten minutes later, Ohio forward Noah Holt tacked on an additional goal, stretching the lead to 4-1 and giving the  Bobcats a solid lead heading into the second break of the game.

The Flames would face an uphill battle heading into the third period, already down three scores  and still looking to find a way to stop Ohio’s offensive attack. They would not stop fighting however, as the coaching adjustments made by Liberty Head Coach Kirk Handy proved to  be successful. The Flames kept the Bobcats off the board throughout the entire third  period and added a goal to bring the team within two from Liberty senior forward Nate Albers  with 17:12 to go in the game. Ultimately, though, the three-goal deficit would be too much to  overcome, as the Flames dropped the game 4-2. 

Following the game, Handy explained that even though the outcome was not ideal, Saturday’s game still serves as valuable experience heading into the national tournament. 

“I think it gives (our) guys an opportunity who maybe aren’t in certain roles and spots because of injury and sickness to play in those (games). You know, guys like (goaltender) Nick  (Bernstein) get some action on the back end, and we’ll use that as preparation for the national  tournament.”

The Liberty Flames men’s Division I hockey team will look to rebound in the playoffs as it  heads to St. Louis, Missouri March 7-12 to fight for the Murdoch Cup in the ACHA National Tournament.

Almy is a sports reporter for the Liberty Champion. Follow him on X