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LGHL Ohio Stadium and the Columbus Blue Jackets host the NHL Stadium Series Game Saturday night
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Ohio Stadium and the Columbus Blue Jackets host the NHL Stadium Series Game Saturday night
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images
One of the biggest games in Blue Jackets history will take place this evening at one of college football’s cathedrals.
Ohio Stadium will be the setting later today for one of the coolest events in sports. The NHL will be invading the home of the Buckeyes when they host the Navy Credit Union Stadium Series game between the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets.
This marks the 43rd outdoor NHL regular season game, and second the league has held this year. Back on New Year’s Eve, the St. Louis Blues beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-2 at Wrigley Field
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25892348/2201654684.jpg "2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series Build-Out")
Photo by Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images
As if playing the game outdoors at one of college football’s most prestigious stadiums wasn’t entertaining enough, the Blue Jackets and Red Wings are neck-and-neck for playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
The teams each enter tonight’s game with 66 points. Detroit holds the first Wild Card spot because they have more wins in regulation than Columbus. The Blue Jackets were able to cut into Detroit’s advantage on Thursday night when they beat the Red Wings 5-2 in Detroit, earning some revenge for Detroit beating the Blue Jackets 5-4 in Columbus on January 2nd.
Following a scoreless first period on Thursday night, the Red Wings jumped out to a 1-0 lead early in the second period. Not long after the Blue Jackets found their offense, scoring four goals in an 11-minute span to take a 4-1 lead at Little Caesars Arena. James van Riemsdyk scored two of those goals, Boone Jenner was credited with three assists, and Kent Johnson scored a goal and dished out an assist.
Kirill Marchenko added to his team-high goal total when he scored an empty net goal late in the game to close out the scoring. Marchenko now has 24 goals this season, four more than Johnson has netted.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25892350/2202247429.jpg "Dallas Stars v Columbus Blue Jackets")
Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images
With the victory, Columbus has now won all three games they have played since returning from the 4 Nations Tournament break. For those outside Columbus, Zach Werenski became a household name with his performance in the four-team tournament, assisting on five goals over the four games Team USA played.
Werenski has been one of the best defensemen in the NHL so far this season, potting 18 goals and dishing out 44 assists, giving him a team-high 62 points. Werenski has a shot at breaking Artemi Panarin’s team records of 59 assists and 87 points, both of which were set in the 2018-19 season.
Columbus being in the mix for a playoff spot shows just how tough this team is after all they have endured since before the season even began. On August 29th, Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were tragically killed by a drunk driver in New Jersey, just a day before their sister was to be married.
Since their passing, there have been a number of touching tributes to the Gaudreau brothers by the Blue Jackets, the NHL, and the Ohio State Buckeyes even paid tribute to them prior to a football game during the season. The most touching moment came recently at a Blue Jackets game when the crowd at Nationwide Arena sang Happy Birthday to Johnny’s son, who was turning one.
Head coach Dean Evason has also had to navigate dealing with a number of injuries during his first season as head coach of the Blue Jackets. Then a week before the season started, captain Boone Jenner suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the first 56 games of the season. Defenseman Erik Gudbranson was injured three games into the season.
Recently, Sean Monahan was injured after joining the team in the offseason. Monahan had 14 goals and 27 assists before he was sidelined, but should be returning in the next month. Kirill Marchenko also suffered a broken jaw before the 4 Nations break but was able to return to the ice a few weeks earlier than most were expecting since the injury wasn’t as severe as first thought.
Likely to be between the pipes for the Blue Jackets tonight is Elvis Merzlikins, who is in the midst of the best season of his NHL career. Thursday night saw backup goaltender Daniil Tarasov get the start for Columbus, clearing the way for Merzlikins to get the start at Ohio Stadium. Merzlikins is 21-14-4 this year with a 2.96 goals against average, which is a massive improvement from the last three years, which saw Merzlikins post a goals against average over three.
The only area lacking for the top goalie of the Blue Jackets is in shutouts, as he has just one so far this season, well below his career-high of five shutouts, which he set back in the 2019-20 season. Although it would be nice to see more shutouts from Merzlikins, all that matters in the end is if Columbus wins games.
To win their fourth consecutive game, the Blue Jackets will have to defeat a Detroit team that is hungry to make their first playoff appearance since the 2015-16 season. The Red Wings looked dead in the water early in the season, leading to management firing head coach Derek Lalonde on Dec. 26.
Replacing Lalonde was long-time NHL head coach Todd McLellan, who made previous stops in San Jose, Edmonton, and Los Angeles. Over the last 12 games, Detroit has posted a 9-3 record, with a seven-game winning streak kicking off that stretch.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25892355/2201516567.jpg "Minnesota Wild v Detroit Red Wings")
Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images
Leading the charge for the Red Wings are a quartet of scorers. Lucas Raymond is one of the best young scorers in the NHL, netting 22 goals and 41 assists so far this season. Center Dylan Larkin is the team’s captain and coming off the 4 Nations Tournament, which saw him score the game-winning goal for Team USA in the first matchup with Canada. Alex DeBrincat has a team-high 27 goals, while Patrick Kane has racked up 35 points as he is in the twilight of his career after winning three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Luckily for fans heading down to campus for tonight’s game the weather looks almost perfect for an outdoor game. There is no threat of heavy precipitation forecasted, and the overcast skies are actually welcomed in Ohio during the winter since sun actually hurts keeping the ice in top form. Although the wind will add a little chill to the air, it feels fitting for a hockey game.
Prior to the game there will be plenty of events to keep fans busy around campus. From 12:00 p.m. ET to 5:00 p.m. ET there will be the NHL PreGame in the Riverwatch Tower parking lot, allowing fans to get a picture with the Stanley Cup, as well as participate in a number of other fun activities.
There will also be a pep rally at St. John Arena, which will include a performance from the band, along with OAR. Doors at St. John Arena will open at 1:30 p.m. ET. Following the OAR concert, the Blue Jackets will do a team walk from the pep rally to Ohio Stadium.
Hopefully the Blue Jackets can earn a win in a big game at Ohio Stadium over a team from Michigan! If they are able to beat the Red Wings, maybe Ryan Day should call Dean Evason for some tips!
Continue reading...
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images
One of the biggest games in Blue Jackets history will take place this evening at one of college football’s cathedrals.
Ohio Stadium will be the setting later today for one of the coolest events in sports. The NHL will be invading the home of the Buckeyes when they host the Navy Credit Union Stadium Series game between the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets.
This marks the 43rd outdoor NHL regular season game, and second the league has held this year. Back on New Year’s Eve, the St. Louis Blues beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-2 at Wrigley Field
As if playing the game outdoors at one of college football’s most prestigious stadiums wasn’t entertaining enough, the Blue Jackets and Red Wings are neck-and-neck for playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
The teams each enter tonight’s game with 66 points. Detroit holds the first Wild Card spot because they have more wins in regulation than Columbus. The Blue Jackets were able to cut into Detroit’s advantage on Thursday night when they beat the Red Wings 5-2 in Detroit, earning some revenge for Detroit beating the Blue Jackets 5-4 in Columbus on January 2nd.
Following a scoreless first period on Thursday night, the Red Wings jumped out to a 1-0 lead early in the second period. Not long after the Blue Jackets found their offense, scoring four goals in an 11-minute span to take a 4-1 lead at Little Caesars Arena. James van Riemsdyk scored two of those goals, Boone Jenner was credited with three assists, and Kent Johnson scored a goal and dished out an assist.
Kirill Marchenko added to his team-high goal total when he scored an empty net goal late in the game to close out the scoring. Marchenko now has 24 goals this season, four more than Johnson has netted.
With the victory, Columbus has now won all three games they have played since returning from the 4 Nations Tournament break. For those outside Columbus, Zach Werenski became a household name with his performance in the four-team tournament, assisting on five goals over the four games Team USA played.
Werenski has been one of the best defensemen in the NHL so far this season, potting 18 goals and dishing out 44 assists, giving him a team-high 62 points. Werenski has a shot at breaking Artemi Panarin’s team records of 59 assists and 87 points, both of which were set in the 2018-19 season.
Columbus being in the mix for a playoff spot shows just how tough this team is after all they have endured since before the season even began. On August 29th, Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were tragically killed by a drunk driver in New Jersey, just a day before their sister was to be married.
Since their passing, there have been a number of touching tributes to the Gaudreau brothers by the Blue Jackets, the NHL, and the Ohio State Buckeyes even paid tribute to them prior to a football game during the season. The most touching moment came recently at a Blue Jackets game when the crowd at Nationwide Arena sang Happy Birthday to Johnny’s son, who was turning one.
Head coach Dean Evason has also had to navigate dealing with a number of injuries during his first season as head coach of the Blue Jackets. Then a week before the season started, captain Boone Jenner suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the first 56 games of the season. Defenseman Erik Gudbranson was injured three games into the season.
Recently, Sean Monahan was injured after joining the team in the offseason. Monahan had 14 goals and 27 assists before he was sidelined, but should be returning in the next month. Kirill Marchenko also suffered a broken jaw before the 4 Nations break but was able to return to the ice a few weeks earlier than most were expecting since the injury wasn’t as severe as first thought.
Likely to be between the pipes for the Blue Jackets tonight is Elvis Merzlikins, who is in the midst of the best season of his NHL career. Thursday night saw backup goaltender Daniil Tarasov get the start for Columbus, clearing the way for Merzlikins to get the start at Ohio Stadium. Merzlikins is 21-14-4 this year with a 2.96 goals against average, which is a massive improvement from the last three years, which saw Merzlikins post a goals against average over three.
The only area lacking for the top goalie of the Blue Jackets is in shutouts, as he has just one so far this season, well below his career-high of five shutouts, which he set back in the 2019-20 season. Although it would be nice to see more shutouts from Merzlikins, all that matters in the end is if Columbus wins games.
To win their fourth consecutive game, the Blue Jackets will have to defeat a Detroit team that is hungry to make their first playoff appearance since the 2015-16 season. The Red Wings looked dead in the water early in the season, leading to management firing head coach Derek Lalonde on Dec. 26.
Replacing Lalonde was long-time NHL head coach Todd McLellan, who made previous stops in San Jose, Edmonton, and Los Angeles. Over the last 12 games, Detroit has posted a 9-3 record, with a seven-game winning streak kicking off that stretch.
Leading the charge for the Red Wings are a quartet of scorers. Lucas Raymond is one of the best young scorers in the NHL, netting 22 goals and 41 assists so far this season. Center Dylan Larkin is the team’s captain and coming off the 4 Nations Tournament, which saw him score the game-winning goal for Team USA in the first matchup with Canada. Alex DeBrincat has a team-high 27 goals, while Patrick Kane has racked up 35 points as he is in the twilight of his career after winning three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Luckily for fans heading down to campus for tonight’s game the weather looks almost perfect for an outdoor game. There is no threat of heavy precipitation forecasted, and the overcast skies are actually welcomed in Ohio during the winter since sun actually hurts keeping the ice in top form. Although the wind will add a little chill to the air, it feels fitting for a hockey game.
Prior to the game there will be plenty of events to keep fans busy around campus. From 12:00 p.m. ET to 5:00 p.m. ET there will be the NHL PreGame in the Riverwatch Tower parking lot, allowing fans to get a picture with the Stanley Cup, as well as participate in a number of other fun activities.
There will also be a pep rally at St. John Arena, which will include a performance from the band, along with OAR. Doors at St. John Arena will open at 1:30 p.m. ET. Following the OAR concert, the Blue Jackets will do a team walk from the pep rally to Ohio Stadium.
Hopefully the Blue Jackets can earn a win in a big game at Ohio Stadium over a team from Michigan! If they are able to beat the Red Wings, maybe Ryan Day should call Dean Evason for some tips!
Continue reading...
2028 FL RB Anthony Howard Jr (Verbal Offer)
- By pnuts34
- Football Recruiting
- 0 Replies
247
Rivals
Twitter
HudL
Class: 2028
Position: RB
School: Auburndale(FL) Auburndale
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 185lbs
Login to view embedded media
Rivals
HudL
Class: 2028
Position: RB
School: Auburndale(FL) Auburndale
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 185lbs
Login to view embedded media
LGHL You’re Nuts: Should Ohio State have fouled USC up three in the final seconds?
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You’re Nuts: Should Ohio State have fouled USC up three in the final seconds?
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo courtesy of Ohio State Hoops on Twitter/X (@OhioStateHoops)
Wesley Yates missed the game-tying three-pointer with six seconds remaining on Wednesday night.
The Ohio State men’s basketball team (16-13, 8-10) needs to win its final two games of the season to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The only reason that the final two games matter right now, is because the Buckeyes were able to win a road game late on Wednesday night, knocking off the USC Trojans in Los Angeles, 87-82. That win improved Ohio State’s record to 16-13 on the season and was their sixth quad-1 win of the season.
Despite shooting nearly 80% in the first half, the win was not easy. The Buckeyes led 52-35 with 1:02 remaining in the first half. 18:55 later, with just over a minute left on the game clock, a layup from USC’s Rashaun Agee tied everything up, 80-80.
The Trojans successfully came back from a 17-point deficit, and were on the brink of handing Ohio State a win that would put their season in the grave. A Devin Royal and-one basket put the Buckeyes back up by three points with 41 seconds left, and they would not trail again from that point on.
However, with 17 seconds left, John Mobley Jr. had the opportunity to make it a four-point game with a pair of free throws. He split the pair, making it 85-82 with 17 seconds remaining.
USC’s Saint Thomas grabbed the rebound and got the ball to Wesley Yates. The freshman dribbled around the top of the key, guarded by Royal. Ohio State opted not to foul, and instead allowed the Trojans to take the potential game-tying shot with six seconds left. Yates’ three-pointer was no good, and Thomas tapped the ball out of bounds on the rebound, sending it back to the Buckeyes with three seconds left. Ballgame.
Last week, Connor and Justin debated whether or not Ohio State’s rebounding issues are fixable or not. 75% of the readers sided with Justin, who said that what you see is what you get with this team, and the rebounding will not get better.
Connor- 86
The big question — should Ohio State have fouled Yates in the final seconds, forcing USC to go to the line and take two free throws while down three points? Some coaches will always foul up three, others feel secure that “the worst that can happen is overtime” and allow their defense to play it out.
Sometimes, the process is correct but you don’t get the result you wanted.
Other times, the process was incorrect, but you still lucking out and getting exactly the result you wanted.
The second one was true on Wednesday night. Ohio State needed to foul Yates before he took the potential game-tying three-pointer. The freshman is a 42% three-point shooter this season, and he got a very clean look from straight away, guarded loosely by Devin Royal. If Yates hits the shot, you’re almost definitely going to overtime.
He took the shot with six seconds remaining, so if the ball came through the net cleanly and Ohio State immediately inbounded the ball cleanly, they would’ve had three-ish seconds to take a shot for the win.
Teams have done this to Ohio State numerous times, and the math almost always worked against the Buckeyes. When you’re up by three, you send the other team to the line to shoot two free throws. If — and that’s a big if — they hit both free throws, your lead still stands at one point, and you get the ball back.
Once Ohio State inbounds the ball, USC would probably foul them again, and the Buckeyes would just need to continue hitting free throws to mathematically eliminate the Trojans from the game.
Ohio State had its best four free throw shooters on the floor in Bruce Thornton, John Mobley Jr., Micah Parrish, and Royal. Sean Stewart was also out there, but there was no chance they would’ve put the ball in his hands on the inbound play.
What you couldn’t do is allow USC to take the last shot and then send the game to overtime on the road, with the Trojans having just roared back from down 17. Yates should’ve never taken that shot, but Ohio State got lucky and were able to survive regardless.
I am in favor of fouling up three 90% of the time, but there is a 10% of the time when I feel the flow of the game and the context of what is happening in the game matter.
First of all, teams have started fouling up three too early in the game. Recently, I have seen teams do it with as much as 15 seconds left on the clock. That still leaves four or five possessions left in the game if you continue to foul, which leaves a lot of room for error from the team that is winning and fouling.
You should foul up three with six seconds or less left on the clock. The reason is that you are forcing the other team to either miss the second foul shot on purpose or if they make both, they likely will not have enough time to get a good look on the other end.
Also, if a team takes a shot with eight seconds left in the game, as USC did against Ohio State, the absolute worst-case scenario is that they make it, and Ohio State has plenty of time to get a good look on the other end.
Another reason I was against it, specifically in the game between USC and Ohio State, was the Buckeyes were 2-for-4 on the free-throw line in the last minute of the game. If you foul USC up three, and they make both, you know you have to inbound the ball, break the press, and make both free throws, all things the Buckeyes struggle with at times down the stretch.
The bottom line for me is simple. Foul up three under seven seconds. Other than that, let it play out if they want to shoot an early three.
Continue reading...
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo courtesy of Ohio State Hoops on Twitter/X (@OhioStateHoops)
Wesley Yates missed the game-tying three-pointer with six seconds remaining on Wednesday night.
The Ohio State men’s basketball team (16-13, 8-10) needs to win its final two games of the season to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The only reason that the final two games matter right now, is because the Buckeyes were able to win a road game late on Wednesday night, knocking off the USC Trojans in Los Angeles, 87-82. That win improved Ohio State’s record to 16-13 on the season and was their sixth quad-1 win of the season.
Despite shooting nearly 80% in the first half, the win was not easy. The Buckeyes led 52-35 with 1:02 remaining in the first half. 18:55 later, with just over a minute left on the game clock, a layup from USC’s Rashaun Agee tied everything up, 80-80.
The Trojans successfully came back from a 17-point deficit, and were on the brink of handing Ohio State a win that would put their season in the grave. A Devin Royal and-one basket put the Buckeyes back up by three points with 41 seconds left, and they would not trail again from that point on.
However, with 17 seconds left, John Mobley Jr. had the opportunity to make it a four-point game with a pair of free throws. He split the pair, making it 85-82 with 17 seconds remaining.
USC’s Saint Thomas grabbed the rebound and got the ball to Wesley Yates. The freshman dribbled around the top of the key, guarded by Royal. Ohio State opted not to foul, and instead allowed the Trojans to take the potential game-tying shot with six seconds left. Yates’ three-pointer was no good, and Thomas tapped the ball out of bounds on the rebound, sending it back to the Buckeyes with three seconds left. Ballgame.
Last week, Connor and Justin debated whether or not Ohio State’s rebounding issues are fixable or not. 75% of the readers sided with Justin, who said that what you see is what you get with this team, and the rebounding will not get better.
After 193 weeks:
Connor- 86
Justin- 82
Other- 19
(There have been six ties)
The big question — should Ohio State have fouled Yates in the final seconds, forcing USC to go to the line and take two free throws while down three points? Some coaches will always foul up three, others feel secure that “the worst that can happen is overtime” and allow their defense to play it out.
This week’s question: Should Ohio State have fouled USC, up three?
Connor: Yes
Sometimes, the process is correct but you don’t get the result you wanted.
Other times, the process was incorrect, but you still lucking out and getting exactly the result you wanted.
The second one was true on Wednesday night. Ohio State needed to foul Yates before he took the potential game-tying three-pointer. The freshman is a 42% three-point shooter this season, and he got a very clean look from straight away, guarded loosely by Devin Royal. If Yates hits the shot, you’re almost definitely going to overtime.
He took the shot with six seconds remaining, so if the ball came through the net cleanly and Ohio State immediately inbounded the ball cleanly, they would’ve had three-ish seconds to take a shot for the win.
Teams have done this to Ohio State numerous times, and the math almost always worked against the Buckeyes. When you’re up by three, you send the other team to the line to shoot two free throws. If — and that’s a big if — they hit both free throws, your lead still stands at one point, and you get the ball back.
Once Ohio State inbounds the ball, USC would probably foul them again, and the Buckeyes would just need to continue hitting free throws to mathematically eliminate the Trojans from the game.
Ohio State had its best four free throw shooters on the floor in Bruce Thornton, John Mobley Jr., Micah Parrish, and Royal. Sean Stewart was also out there, but there was no chance they would’ve put the ball in his hands on the inbound play.
What you couldn’t do is allow USC to take the last shot and then send the game to overtime on the road, with the Trojans having just roared back from down 17. Yates should’ve never taken that shot, but Ohio State got lucky and were able to survive regardless.
Justin: No
I am in favor of fouling up three 90% of the time, but there is a 10% of the time when I feel the flow of the game and the context of what is happening in the game matter.
First of all, teams have started fouling up three too early in the game. Recently, I have seen teams do it with as much as 15 seconds left on the clock. That still leaves four or five possessions left in the game if you continue to foul, which leaves a lot of room for error from the team that is winning and fouling.
You should foul up three with six seconds or less left on the clock. The reason is that you are forcing the other team to either miss the second foul shot on purpose or if they make both, they likely will not have enough time to get a good look on the other end.
Also, if a team takes a shot with eight seconds left in the game, as USC did against Ohio State, the absolute worst-case scenario is that they make it, and Ohio State has plenty of time to get a good look on the other end.
Another reason I was against it, specifically in the game between USC and Ohio State, was the Buckeyes were 2-for-4 on the free-throw line in the last minute of the game. If you foul USC up three, and they make both, you know you have to inbound the ball, break the press, and make both free throws, all things the Buckeyes struggle with at times down the stretch.
The bottom line for me is simple. Foul up three under seven seconds. Other than that, let it play out if they want to shoot an early three.
Continue reading...
Bowling Green Falcons (Official Thread)
- By ScriptOhio
- College Football
- 10 Replies
March 30, 2023: BGSU Football Head Coach Scot Loeffler inks contract extension through 2025
Bowling Green's Loeffler takes QB job with Eagles
Bowling Green coach Scot Loeffler is leaving the school after six seasons to become quarterbacks coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Bowling Green coach Scot Loeffler takes QB job with Eagles
Bowling Green coach Scot Loeffler is leaving the school after six seasons to become quarterbacks coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.Loeffler, 50, went 27-41 at Bowling Green but led the Falcons to bowl appearances in each of the past three seasons, posting a 16-10 record in MAC play during the span.
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The coaching change means Bowling Green players now have a 30-day window to enter the NCAA transfer portal. The Falcons had already lost three All-MAC performers to the portal in December in running back Terion Stewart (Virginia Tech), offensive tackle Alex Wollschlaeger (Kentucky) and linebacker Joseph Sipp Jr. (Kansas). Bowling Green also is losing record-setting tight end Harold Fannin Jr. to the NFL draft.
Athletic director Derek van der Merwe will lead the search for Loeffler's replacement. In a statement, Van der Merwe praised Loeffler for building "a very successful program in a challenging climate in collegiate sports.
"I am looking forward to this process of finding the next great leader for our program who embraces what it means to be a Falcon," Van der Merwe added.