Frozen Fury Lights Up Final with Thrilling Extra-Time Hat Trick!

The Ohio State men's ice hockey team is in the midst of, by all expectations, a pretty terrible season. This program has had some ups and downs in recent years, but last season was a great year, where the Buckeyes reached the NCAA tournament before falling in the first round. Talent was returning, momentum was building, and hopes were high.

Those hopes were dashed pretty early in the season, when a 5-10 start (including a six-game losing streak) set the Buckeyes way back. And it wasn't like the schedule was frontloaded with great teams. The Buckeyes lost to Sacred Heart, Bowling Green, and Arizona State (twice), among other losses.

The end of the season wasn't any better, as the Buckeyes entered the Big Ten tournament as the No. 5 seed (out of seven teams) with a 12-20-2 overall record, 8-15-1 in conference. Out of absolutely nowhere, though, this team has found something in the Big Ten Tournament.

Limping into the tournament after being swept by Notre Dame (last in the conference), the Buckeyes exploded for a 7-1 victory over No. 4 seed Wisconsin in the opening round. Still, all that provided was a meeting with No.