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Here at the Union and Blue, we are committed to covering the Columbus Blue Jackets and bringing you the latest news and opinions about the team. The Blue Jackets are not the only hockey team in Ohio and in the Ohio Hockey News Roundup we will provide a quick overview of the latest news in Ohio hockey. The primary focus will be the Ohio State men’s hockey team, Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL, the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL, and the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL.
Ohio State
Last weekend, the Ohio State men’s hockey team picked up its second Big 10 conference win by splitting a two game series with the Wisconsin Badgers (9th overall in the nation). The weekend did not get off to a good start, with Wisconsin taking Friday night’s game 5-3. Ohio State led 2-1 into the second period, but they allowed the Badgers to creep back into the game.
Saturday’s game remained scoreless after the first, but Wisconsin opened up the scoring in the second. After that it was all Ohio State, who went on to win 3-1. The win snapped a four game losing streak for the Buckeyes.
- Ohio State Men’s Hockey Split Weekend Series [ The Lantern ]
- Buckeyes Goaltender Christian Frey named Big 10 second star of the week [ SB Nation ]
Lake Erie Monsters
Woof. Things have not been going well in Cleveland hockey. The last time we checked in, the Monsters were in the midst of a 5 game losing streak. Well that streak continued with a 4-1 loss to the Rochester Americans last Thursday. Lake Erie then got swept over the weekend with a 6-2 demolishing by the Hamilton Bulldogs and a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Marlies. The Toronto game showed some promise, but the Monsters ended up losing in the shootout. The losing streak ended at eight with a shootout win over the Utica Comets on Tuesday night. The win is only their third this month. Lake Erie closes out the month of January tomorrow night at the Q against the Charlotte Checkers.
- Lake Erie Monsters lose to Rochester Americans 4-1 [ Cleveland Plain Dealer ]
- Lake Erie Monsters Fall 6-2 to Hamilton Bulldogs [ Cleveland Plain Dealer ]
- Monsters fall to Marlies in shootout [ Lake Erie Monsters ]
- Lake Erie Monsters end 8-game winless skid with 3-2 shootout victory [ Cleveland Plain Dealer ]
Toledo Walleye
It was another rough week for the Toledo Walleye, who started things off by losing 4-1 to the Wheeling Nailers last Friday. They then followed that up the following night with a 4-1 loss to the Reading Royals in front of a packed house at the Huntington Center. Finally on Sunday Toledo finally put one in the win column. The Greenville Road Warriors got out to a 2-0 lead, but the Walleye stormed back and ended up winning 4-2.
Toledo had a match up with the Evansville IceMen last night. Toledo came out on top 3-1. Despite the win, the Walleye find themselves in the ECHL North Division’s basement with 31 points.
- Wheeling downs Toledo 4-1 [ Toledo Walleye ]
- Reading holds off Toledo 4-1 [ Toledo Walleye ]
- Walleye come back and beat Greenville 4-2 [ Toledo Walleye ]
Cincinnati Cyclones
The Cyclones had a relatively light schedule this past week, this coming after having more than a week off. Cincinnati finally got back on the ice this past Saturday with a game against the Wheeling Nailers. Cincinnati won convincingly by a score of 4-1. The Cyclones dominated the night, despite attempts by Wheeling to chip away at the lead and get under the Cyclones players skin. The Cyclones then paid a visit back to Wheeling on Sunday, and this time the Nailers came out on top, 3-1.
The Cyclones were back in action last night against the Reading Royals. Cincinnati walked away with another 4-1 win. The Cyclones are currently at the top of the North Division with 52 points (just 2 more than the Evansville IceMen). That puts them 2nd overall in the conference behind the South Carolina Stingrays, who have 59 points.
- Cyclones 3rd period explosion sinks Nailers, 4-1 [ Cincinnati Cyclones ]
- Cyclones fall in Wheeling, 3-1 [ Cincinnati Cyclones ]