Freshman defenseman Davis Burnside waits for the puck in a defensive stance during the Ohio State vs. Michigan game at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland on February 18, 2023.Credit: Lantern File Photo
Penn State comes to town to close out the regular season for Ohio State.
The Ohio State University men's ice hockey team (12-16-4, 4-16-2 Big Ten) will host Senior Night against the Penn State Nittany Lions (13-16-3, 5-14-3) minutes against the Big Ten). 10) Friday and Saturday at Value City Arena at Schottenstein Center.
Senior Night will honor a class comprised of three of Ohio State's four captains. The eight members of this prestigious class played in 907 college hockey games, totaling 104 goals and 165 assists for 269 points.
The class includes two Buckeyes who are fifth-year students, three seniors, one sophomore, and two transfers who chose Ohio State for their final year of college.
Forwards Michael Gildon and Dalton Messina are the two longest-tenured players at Ohio State. Gildon and Messina have combined for 17 goals and 53 points in their careers.
Gildon said he is looking forward to the night and expects his team to win against Penn State.
“This is a celebration of our seniors and everything they’ve accomplished,” Gildong said. “Thank you very much to all the seniors. [head coach Steve Rohlik] Thank you for giving me the opportunity to play here. It's going to be a good night and I'm sure we'll say 'W'. ”
Gildon said there are two memories that stick out from his career at Ohio State.
“I think my first goal was a big goal, and then last year when I competed in the national tournament, I think those two memories will stay with me for a long time,” Gil-dong said. “I love all the players I’ve played with and spent time with over the past five years.”
The three fourth-year Buckeyes are forwards Joe Dunlap, Patrick Guzzo and Matt Cassidy. Guzzo and Cassidy were honored as Ohio State's captains this season.
Cassidy said he enjoyed his time in Columbus and played in Cleveland's win over then-No. 4 Michigan last season. FirstEnergy Stadium (now Cleveland Browns Stadium) drew 45,523 fans It was the highlight of his Buckeye career.
“Every day is a blessing to be here,” Cassidy said. “I love being a part of this university and this team. Last year's outdoor game against Michigan was a highlight and a great night.”
Captain and defenseman Scooter Brickey is a second-year Buckeye transfer from Western Michigan State in the summer of 2022. Brickey has been an important part of many of the Buckeyes' wins this season and has been nominated for the 2024 Hobey Baker Award.
Riley Hughes, one of two graduate transfers, joins the Buckeyes after four years at Northeastern University, where he also served as an acting captain. Defenseman Mason Clay is his second graduate at Ohio State, transferring from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Ohio State lost both games 4-3 to the Nittany Lions in State College, Pennsylvania. Penn State was led by freshman forward Aiden Fink, who had three goals and one assist in the two-game series.
Fink has totaled 33 points in 32 games, but has recorded just one assist in six games since the series against the Buckeyes. Rohrick said the team needs to be better than it was when the two played at Pennsylvania earlier this season.
“We have to play better,” Roerik said. “We know what kind of team we're going to have coming in here. They're well-coached, they play aggressive, they get a lot of pucks on net.”
The series begins Friday at 6 p.m. and will be streamed live on the Big Ten Network. The Buckeyes' regular season ends Saturday at 5 p.m. and will be streamed live on Big Ten Plus.
