Flashes Ready for Ohio Rivalry

After Kent State’s split at Illinois last weekend, the team is hoping to carry some momentum into home games against Ohio University on Friday and Saturday. However, the No. 3 Bobcats will be riding back-to-back wins over formerly undefeated No. 1 Lindenwood. The Flashes think that would make defeating Ohio even sweeter.

“After they swept Lindenwood, it would be great to get a few wins,” senior forward Dave Bruder said.

Throw in the tension between the Central States Collegiate Hockey League rivals, and fans can expect a thrilling weekend at the KSU Ice Arena.

“It should be a hard, physical weekend,” Bruder said.

Junior forward Ryan Thomas added that the Bobcats are known for their speed on the ice.

“They’re pretty quick,” Thomas said. “But we’re pretty quick, too. We’ll have to stick to our fast-paced style of hockey.”

The Flashes also need to continue to play as a team, something they excelled at over the weekend against Illinois.

“We’re really coming together as a team,” junior forward Bobby Lyle said. “Especially defensively. We’re supporting each other a lot more.”

Several team members also credited the fact that they played for a full 60 minutes without slowing down. According to the Ohio Bobcats website, their team found strength by playing that same way against Lindenwood. The Bobcats also used their skill on the power play to score against the top-ranked team in the American Collegiate Hockey Association.

While the rivalry between the clubs takes place on the ice, the stands will be filled by potential future Flashes for Youth Hockey Night on Friday. All kids who wear their team’s hockey jersey will get into the game for free. It’s also PARTA Student Night on Friday, and the first 50 students who enter the game will receive free t-shirts.

“The fans give us a lot of energy,” Lyle said. “And you always want to win in front of a home crowd.”

The puck drops on Friday at 8:15 p.m. and on Saturday at 7:15 p.m. at the KSU Ice Arena.

Next Home Games:  

Friday           Dec 11          vs OHIO            8:15pm

Saturday       Dec 12          vs OHIO            7:15pm