Boston Frozen Four-OSU Lose, Hunter Bishop

Boston Frozen Four-OSU Lose

Friday, May 1, 2009, 10:58 PM

MANCHESTER, N.H. – In the first NCAA tournament game for the Buckeyes since 2005, Ohio State fell behind 3-0 after the first period and couldn’t recover, falling to No. 1 overall seed Boston University, 8-3, Saturday at Verizon Wireless Arena. The Terriers move on to face New Hampshire in the NCAA Northeast Regional final, while the No. 4 seed Buckeyes end the year 23-15-4 overall.

Against the Terriers, the Buckeyes scored three-consecutive goals to cut the score to 6-3 with less than nine minutes remaining in the third period. The Buckeyes pulled their goalie early for the extra attacker, but the Terriers scored twice to seal the win.

Ohio State was down 3-0 after the first. BU scored twice in 45 seconds. Nick Bonino scored at 8:49 just nine seconds after a BU power play started when his wrist shot found the top corner, on assists from Brandon Yip and Hobey Finalist Matt Gilroy. At 9:34 Jason Lawrence was able to shuffle the puck under Buckeye goalie Dustin Carlson, set up by Bonino and Colby Cohen. Zach Cohen added to the lead at 13:16, with Luke Popko and Gilroy picking up the helpers. The Buckeyes were outshot in the period, 9-6. Ohio State had three power-play chances in the stanza. BU was 1-for-2.

The teams combined for five goals in the second, with BU leading 6-2 after the stanza. Corey Trivino scored at 5:57, followed by Yip’s second of the game 1:04 later (7:01). BU made the score 6-0 on a Lawrence goal at 13:34. The Buckeyes got on the board when Hunter Bishop scored on a 2-on-1 withCorey Elkins at 18:45. Senior Zach Pelletier followed at 18:45, scoring from a pass from Kyle Reed after Patrick Schafer won the draw in the Terrier zone. Ohio State had 10 shots on goal, with BU putting eight on net.

The Buckeyes scored the first goal of the third when Matt Bartkowski’s shot from the point got through with the Buckeyes on the power play, assisted by Ian Boots and Bishop. With more than seven minutes remaining and the Buckeyes down by three the Buckeyes pulled the goalie for the extra skater while in the BU zone. Ohio State had a few chances, but BU was able to clear and Cohen converted into the empty net. With the Buckeyes on the power play Ohio State again pulled the goalie and Chris Higgins tallied shorthanded for the final goal of the game, scoring at 17:12. Shots in the third were 10-9 BU.

For the game, Boston University outshot Ohio State, 27-25. Buckeye starter Dustin Carlson played the first 27:01 and had nine saves, allowing five goals. Freshman Cal Heeter came in midway through the second and had 10 saves on 11 shots in 27:01.


Postgame Notes
The game ended the career for Buckeye seniorsNick Biondo, Elkins and Pelletier.

The 23 wins for the season were the most since 2005 and marked the seventh 20-win season under head coach John Markell.