Cisar, Burchill score first career Wildcat goals
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Wildcats dropped its opening game in the weekend series against No. 16 Ohio State by a score of 5-2.
The Wildcats (0-3-0, 0-0-0 CCHA) got multi-point games from Peter Cisar (1-1–2) and Michael Burchill (1-1–2), both of them earning their first career collegiate goals and points. Tynan Ewart and Anthony Cliche also picked up assists.
William Gramme played the first 40 minutes and change before being replaced by Oliver Auyeung-Ashton 29 seconds into the third period. Gramme made 29 saves on 34 shots faced, and Auyeung-Ashton stopped all eight sent his way.
Caiden Gault and Kyle Bettens both recorded three shots on target, Tobias Pitka and Danny Ciccarello both led the team with seven faceoff wins, and Ewart, Bettens, and Burchill were all +1.
The Wildcats were unsuccessful on any of their three man-advantage opportunities, while the Buckeyes converted on a 5-on-3 before scoring as the second penalty expired on the ensuing 5-on-4, going 1/3 on the night, with an asterisk.
The Buckeyes (1-0-0, 0-0-0 Big Ten) were led by Felix Caron, who potted a four-point night on two goals and two assists. Davis Burnside (1-1–2) and Broten Sabo (0-2–2) also recorded multi-point nights. Kristoffer Eberly made 13 saves from 15 on target, a .867 SV%.
‘Cat Nips
- Cisar (1-1–2) and Burchill (1-1–2) both recorded a collegiate career-first goal, assist, and multi-point game, with Burchill getting the primary assist on Cisar’s goal before Cisar earned the primary assist on Burchill’s goal.
- Captain Ewart picked up his first point of the 25/26 campaign. Ewart was second on the team in assists last season.
- Cliche also added his first point of the season, a secondary assist on the Burchill goal.
- Auyeung-Ashton saw his first collegiate appearance, coming into the game in relief of Gramme 29 seconds into the third period. Auyeung-Ashton made eight saves.
How It Happened
After the ‘Cats were unable to convert on the game’s first power play, the Buckeyes converted down at the other end shortly after. A point shot from Chris Able was deflected by Max Montes in front of the crease.
Ohio State’s first chance on the man advantage was soon upgraded to a five-on-three, and Felix Caron finished off a tic-tac-toe play to extend the Buckeye lead to two. The Buckeyes struck again on the power play, as Caron potted his second on the power play on the ensuing five-on-four man advantage.
The Wildcat got a pair of collegiate firsts in quick succession in the middle frame, as Cisar from Burchill, then Burchill from Cisar just two minutes later, and the Wildcats were within one.
Davis Burnside found a soft spot in the bumper and fired home a one-timer that snuck its way under the arm of Gramme, and the Buckeyes were able to regain the two-goal lead with five minutes to play in the second period.
The Buckeyes chased Gramme thirty seconds into the third period, as Riley Thompson finished off a two-on-one after receiving a back-door pass from Caron.
Up Next
Game two from Value City Arena is tomorrow, with puck drop set for 5 p.m. at Value City Arena.
