The Western Michigan Broncos are on the road this weekend as they face the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The Buckeyes are 3-6-1 overall and 2-3-1-1 in the CCHA. Ohio State is coming off of a split with Northern Michigan where they lost the first game 1-0, but rebounded to win the second game 5-4.
Despite the Buckeyes’ record, they are a very good team. Just by looking at their win-loss record, Ohio State seems to play to the level of their competition. They have a win over Denver but were swept by Quinnipiac. They beat Notre Dame in a shootout, but split with Lake Superior State. The Buckeyes have the talent to be a top four team in the CCHA, they just have to put it all together.
Dustin Carlson came on last year in relief of Joe Palmer for the Buckeyes and was sensational. Carlson went 21-12-3 with four shutouts. This year has been the complete opposite. Carlson is 0-5-0 but has good numbers as far as save percentage and goals against average goes.
Ohio State is eventually going to get on the right track. They have too much talent not to get on the right track. Western Michigan is going to have their hands full this weekend.
The Broncos are 5-2-1 and 1-2-1-1 in the CCHA. The Broncos could pass Ohio State in the CCHA this weekend with a sweep. Riley Gill will have to be on his game and guys like Max Campbell and J.J. Crew are going to have to get things going.
Crew has been held off of the scoresheet since the opening weekend of the season. He did score the shootout game winner last weekend, but that does not count towards his point totals.
Campbell is the Broncos’ best pure goal scorer but he has just one goal in his last six games. That trend needs to change if the Broncos are going to beat the Buckeyes this weekend.
Max Campbell
Photo Courtesy of NY Daily News
The line of Cam Watson, Chris Clackson, and Ian Slater has been very effective in all situations for coach Jim Culhane. This line’s physical play and ability to play special teams helps create mismatches in the Broncos’ favor.
The games this weekend are in Columbus with different start times both nights. Friday’s game starts at 7:05 ET and Saturday’s game has been pushed back to 8:05 ET.
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