Columbus Blue Jackets and Ohio State Hockey Clubs Finding Success
The Columbus Blue Jackets aren’t the only hockey team turning heads in Central Ohio.
A ten game winning streak in the NHL is sure to grab attention and headlines and that’s exactly what they Columbus Blue Jackets have done in March. Their streak has put them firmly in the playoffs, barring an epic collapse. But they aren’t the only hockey show in town in the spotlight.
The Ohio State University Men’s and Woman’s Hockey teams are making history and shocking the hockey world with their play too. Both teams reached the Frozen Four in the NCAA tournament this season.
The Woman’s squad started the fun by making their first ever NCAA tournament. Second year coach Nadine Muzerall guided her squad to a school record 24 wins and the first birth in the tournament in the 18 seasons of the program.
After the Buckeyes made the tournament they traveled to Boston College and upset the Eagles. That win game the Lady Bucks a berth to the Frozen Four and a matchup with defending NCAA Champions Clarkson.
Unfortunately the Bucks fell in overtime to the Golden Knights who would go on to win the title for back to back seasons. The Lady Buckeyes outplayed Clarkson the entire game and just had some poor puck luck in the 1-0 overtime loss.
Most wins in program history ✅
— Ohio State Women's Hockey (@OhioStateWHKY) March 17, 2018
5 All-@WCHA_WHockey Accolades ✅
WCHA Coach of the Year ✅
All-American honors ✅
First NCAA Tournament berth ✅
First Frozen Four ✅
Thanks for the support all season, we can't wait to show you what we'll do next... #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/obZzqUT8iv
It was a season for the ages and it doesn’t look like they are slowing down anytime soon. Muzerall has built a perennial power in Columbus that should have a good chance at winning the WCHA conference next season.
Buckeye Men Follow in Women’s Footsteps
The men have followed the Woman down the path of success and down the path to the Frozen Four. Last night the Buckeyes dominated the defending national champions, Denver, to punch their tickets to St. Paul.
The Buckeyes are heading to the @NCAAIceHockey #FrozenFour!
— Ohio State Men's Hockey (@OhioStateMHKY) March 26, 2018
Ohio State downs defending NCAA champion Denver 5-1 to win the Midwest Regional and advance to the NCAA semifinals. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/8WwzAdeURG
The men have been on fire in the last month knocking off fellow Frozen Four participant Michigan for the fifth time this season. They followed that up by an overtime loss in the B1G Championship game against another Frozen Four finalist, Notre Damn.
They played well enough to earn a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament and knocked off the hottest team in college hockey, the Princeton Tigers, and then the defending champs in Denver. No one gave the Buckeyes a chance to come out of this regional (except Greg Wyshinsky) but they dominated the favorite squad Denver 5-1.
The Buckeyes will join three fellow Big Ten squads in the Frozen Four. They will face Minnesota Duluth on Thursday, April 5th in St. Paul.
Next: CBJ 10 game winning streak over
Combine these two great seasons of Buckeye hockey and the Columbus Blue Jackets success in March and you have possibly the most successful hockey city in America.