After four years of an evenly matched rivalry between Indiana and Ohio, this weekend did nothing to separate the two.
Indiana hockey responded to Friday night’s 4-3 loss with a 3-1 victory over Ohio on Saturday at Frank Southern Ice Arena, splitting its first home series of the season. The Hoosiers and Bobcats entered the weekend with a 5-5 record against each other over the past four seasons. After trading wins in Bloomington, that record now sits at 6-6.
For the second night in a row, Indiana and Ohio ended the first period scoreless. The physicality from Friday’s matchup carried into Saturday, with both sides playing aggressively and penalties becoming a factor throughout the night.
Indiana was the first to take advantage of those penalties. Five minutes into the second period, Davis Jegers scored off a pass from Jake Rock on the power play, giving the Hoosiers a 1-0 lead.
The aggressive play continued throughout the second period, with Ohio taking three penalties. Indiana capitalized again late in the period when Ben Rosenberg scored the Hoosiers’ second power-play goal of the night.
Indiana’s offense also began to take control. After being outshot in the first period, the Hoosiers outshot the Bobcats 16-8 in the second and ended the period with a 2-0 advantage.
The physicality continued into the third period, this time creating an opportunity for Ohio. Indiana’s James Martin was called for roughing after a hit on Braeden Whitesell, sending the Bobcats to the power play. Matthew Masdonati scored on the power play, cutting Indiana’s lead to 2-1.
The one-goal margin held through most of the final period. With 2:22 remaining, Ohio pulled its goaltender for an extra attacker in an attempt to find the equalizer.
The Hoosiers responded by sealing the game.
With the net empty, Colin Ruffner scored his second goal of the weekend to extend Indiana’s lead to 3-1 and secure the win.
The Hoosiers held on from there, earning the weekend split. After being outshot in the first period, Indiana responded by outshooting Ohio 30-16 over the final two periods.
Friday belonged to Ohio. Saturday belonged to Indiana. And after four seasons and 12 meetings, neither program has managed to separate itself from the other.
