Going into the last weekend of the regular season, the Ohio State men’s hockey team had a shot at winning the Big Ten title if it could find a way to get four points in last two games against Wisconsin. But after a heartbreaking 3-2 loss Friday night, all the Buckeyes can hope for now is a second-place finish in the league.
After a scoreless first period, Ohio State got the scoring started when Tanner Laczynski lit the lamp early in the second period, and it seemed the Buckeyes were on their way with a one-goal advantage. However, there was still plenty of time left for the Badgers to do some damage.
9th goal of the year for No. 9.
Tanner Laczynski opened the scoring early in the second period. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/If0fHFAUJM
— Ohio State Men's Hockey (@OhioStateMHKY) February 29, 2020
Later in the period, after both teams got put in the penalty box with infractions, Wisconsin scored the equalizer on a four-on-four situation to knot things up at one apiece. The Badgers then got a scramble goal around the goal to take a 2-1 lead with just a few minutes later in the period.
But then right before the end of the second twenty minutes, Ronnie Hein scored to tie things up heading into the last period and a ton on the line.
Captain Ronnie Hein with the late game-tying goal in the second period.
His eighth goal of the season. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/Z7DeG3HL1X
— Ohio State Men's Hockey (@OhioStateMHKY) February 29, 2020
It stayed that way with tensions mounting until the Badgers seemed to take a 3-2 lead on a power play with 6:23 remaining. The goal was overturned however on a challenge by Ohio State for goalie interference, and big things remained in the cards.
In the end though, it was just postponing the inevitable because the Badgers got one that stood just minutes later for the game-winning goal, and a 3-2 gut punch to Ohio State.
The Buckeyes must now focus on winning its last contest of the regular season on senior night Saturday. A win could get OSU a better seed in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament.