The Buckeyes reflect on the campaign, bring confidence and motivation to the offseason with roster questions

Ohio State celebrates after scoring against Wisconsin on the 8th. October 2022. Ohio State won 4-3. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo editing software

Paced by an 8-1 rout of Harvard in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, Ohio State appeared destined for a trip to the Frozen Four on March 26 after scoring in less than two minutes against Quinnipiac in the NCAA regional finals. .

However, in the blink of an eye, the Bobcats scored twice in 15 seconds to flip the script in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

As the game progressed, Ohio State was unable to find the back of the net. Quinnipiac added late, and reality began to set in as the Buckeyes headed home early.

I’m really proud of the group, head coach Steve Rohlik said. I think we played our best hockey. Unfortunately against Quinnipiac it didn’t go our way, but I thought we were definitely the better team both nights.

Another season came and went in Columbus without Ohio State bringing home a national championship. The Buckeyes haven’t reached the pinnacle of the college hockey world in the programs 60-year history, making it to two Frozen Fours in 1998 and 2018.

The Buckeyes 2022-23 campaign had no shortage of upsets. After an initial 7-1-1 start, Ohio State went 2-6 in its next eight games, then reeled off six straight wins to finish the regular season 4-5-1 in its last 10 games.

In addition to episodes of ice challenges, Ohio Stated faced dispute off the ice after the team overturned the suspension of senior forward Kamil Sadlocha after Michigan State senior forward Jagger Joshua accused the Buckeye saying race For a Nov. 11, 2022 meeting between the Big Ten foes.

Sadlocha returned to the team January 4th after the team went through racial sensitivity, diversity and equity training.

Ohio State advanced to a Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal series win against Penn State and an NCAA Tournament win against Harvard, the Buckeyes’ first since the 2018 Frozen Four.

The Buckeyes’ 21 wins marked the sixth time in the last seven seasons that the program surpassed the 20-win mark under Rohlik.

Junior forward Patrick Guzzo felt the team was paying attention, and he was confident he could stick together and advance in the postseason despite the outside noise.

They were a resilient group, Guzzo said. When we were looked at as a team that couldn’t really do it, we kind of all came together and showed everybody that we could compete with any hockey team we played with as long as we played the right way.

Ohio State’s special teams unit was a bright spot this season. The Buckeyes’ penalty kill unit ranked first in the nation, stopping 88.7 percent of opponents’ power play opportunities.

Offensively, Ohio State was also a formidable No. 17 nationally, converting on the man advantage at 21.8 percent.

Rohlik, Guzzo and junior forward Michael Gildon credited former assistant coach Luke Strand with the success of the revamped unit. Gildon quoted recently hired by Minnesota State the buy-in of the head coach and players for the turnaround.

We knew Special Teams was probably the most important part of the game, Gildon said. We practiced it really hard every day and made sure it was the excellence we wanted to achieve and I think we did.

Offensively, Ohio State ran a balanced attack. Ten Buckeyes scored five or more goals, paced by sophomore forward Cam Thiesing’s 15.

The leader this season was the youth movement. Freshman forward Stephen Halliday recorded 41 points, while Davis Burnside was second in scoring with 14 points.

“For our young guys to be on that big stage, playing as well as we did, I think it gives them an incentive to work even harder between this year and early next year, to keep pushing,” Rohlik said.

As the Buckeyes head into the offseason and look toward the fall, they certainly know there will be many new faces joining the locker room.

Ohio State has 10 seniors and graduates who make up more than a third of the roster. Forward to the fifth year Jake Wise and Gustaf Westlund have already jumped to the professional level, and many more futures are being decided for upperclassmen.

Sophomore defenders Mason Lohrei, Cole McWard and the goalkeeper Jakub Dobe won’t return as they chase their NHL dreams.

Guzzo and Gildon believe they are ready to take on the challenge.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for myself and some of the other senior guys that are staying to really step up and fill those leadership roles,” Gildon said. The outgoing guys showed us how to do it, so we just have to keep going. Leadership changes, but the culture as a whole does not.

With spots full, Ohio State is likely looking for a transfer portal.

Last season, the Buckeyes brought in senior defenseman Scooter Brickey from Western Michigan, who anchored the defense by blocking 57 shots, tied for the team lead. Senior forwards Mark Cheremeta, Matt Cassidy and Wise were also brought from Portal in past seasons.

[The transfer portal] it’s certainly a big part of it across the board in all sports and certainly in hockey as well, Rohlik said. There will be a lot of changes in this regard over the next month. We’ve seen it every year and it’s no different this year.

There’s no telling what Ohio State’s roster will look like in the coming months, but what’s more certain is that Rohlik will be at the helm in his 11th season.

As the Buckeyes continue their quest for an elusive national championship next season, Rohlik said he is just as committed to bringing Columbus to the promised land.

“I can’t tell you how fortunate I am to be around so many amazing coaches and staff that are involved in this hockey program,” Rohlik said. It’s an amazing university and I just want to keep pushing and growing this place. I’m just really proud to be a part of this.