Playoffs have reached Cincinnati high school ice hockey and four local teams are in the running to make waves in the Columbus Division.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association ice hockey postseason officially started earlier this week for the larger divisions. However, with 20 teams in the Columbus Division the competition is tight and the Springboro Panthers, the St. Xavier Bombers, the Moeller Crusaders and the Elder Panthers will need to work hard and bring their best to move on in the postseason.
Here is a preview of Cincinnati’s top teams in the postseason.
More: OHSAA approves postseason expansion for 7 sports. Details, reaction from local coaches
The whole picture
Here is the full division bracket with locations and puck drop times.
Springboro
Where, when: Ice Haus in Columbus, Saturday Feb. 17, 3:30 p.m. puck drop.
Opponent: Olentangy Liberty
What to watch: Springboro (7-18-2) got off to a great postseason start Friday night with a 5-2 win over Worthington Kilbourne in their first round matchup. The Panthers will need to refocus quickly though as they turn their attention to Olentangy Liberty (21-11) which is the reigning state champion and was ranked fifth in the state heading into the postseason.
If the Panthers win and move on, they would play the winner of the Thomas Worthington vs. Alter game. That game is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. at the Ice Haus.
Moeller
Where, when: Ice Haus in Columbus, Sunday, Feb. 18, 11:15 a.m. puck drop.
Opponent: No. 8 New Albany
What to watch: The Crusaders (16-13-3) split the season series against the New Albany Eagles (20-13). Early in the season, Moeller won 5-3 however in the more recent matchup, Moeller came up short 5-2. Head coach Dave Holum has said the second game, which his Crusaders lost, was a lot closer than the final score line showed as New Albany’s final goal was an empty-netter. For Sunday’s game, Holum expects another close and competitive game, saying he wouldn’t be surprised if the teams were tied with five minutes left in the third period.
To come out on top the Crusaders will look to stay out of the penalty box and continue to play as a cohesive unit. Since it is the third time the teams are meeting, they know each other well and, according to Holum, Moeller is tweaking minor things like their forecheck but overall are sticking with the same game plan that got them to the fifth seed position in a competitive district.
In net, Moeller is in a good position with senior goalie Noah Smith and have been all…
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