PROVIDENCE, R.I. â Junior defenseman Anthony Florentinoâs blast from the point early in the second period proved to be the difference as the third-ranked Providence College menâs hockey team outlasted Ohio State, 2-1, at Schneider Arena on Friday night.
With the win, Providence improves to 3-0-1 and runs its unbeaten streak to eight games dating back to last season. The Buckeyes fall to 0-5-0 despite a solid effort from netminder Matt Tomkins, who made 28 saves. Nick Ellis improved to 3-0-1 this season another strong performance in goal, making 26 saves, including 12 in the second period with the Friars penalized four times.
Tom Parisi got the Friars on the board late in the first after a strong net drive by freshman Erik Foley gave Parisi an open look at the top of the slot for his first strike of the season. Ellisâ finest save of the night came off the stick of Mason Jobst, whoâs backhander was ticketed for the top corner until the Friar netminder flashed his glove in the waning seconds of the first period.
After the Buckeyes killed off a Friars power play early in the second, Anthony Florentino blasted home his second goal of the season from the point to put Providence up 2-0. Hard work in the corner by freshman Ryan Tait led to a centering fed to Steven McParland, who dropped it back to Florentino.
Ohio State got one back with the 5-on-3 man-advantage goal by Matthew Weis, who one-timed a pass from Davis Gust over the shoulder of Ellis at the 11:03 mark.
A defensive battled in the final frame limited the scoring chances for both teams. The Buckeyes looked to make a push in the final minute with an extra attacker, but the Friars hold them the surge with key shot blocks as time expired.
Up next, Providence and Ohio State will battle once again tomorrow night beginning at 7 p.m. at Schneider Arena.
