![\"Tom](\"http:\/\/www.uscho.com\/images\/colorscans\/20072008\/wjec_osu_t_fritsche.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhen the transition game, goal scoring, and defense were finally settled for OSU last year, goaltending remained inconsistent. Last year, Joseph Palmer worked hard to bring his save percentage up to .890. This year, having experienced World Junior action, Palmer will improve even further, said associate head coach Casey Jones. <\/p>\n
“He made good progress last year as a freshman,” said Jones, “and we expect a big jump in his play this year.” <\/p>\n
Pushing Palmer will be fellow sophomore sophomore Nick Filion (.847 SV%) and rookie Dustin Carlson, a 21-year-old freshman who played 46 games with the Alexandria Blizzard (NAHL), where he posted a .917 save percentage and 2.80 goals-against average. <\/p>\n
In recent years, the Buckeyes have recruited young, true freshmen, but for this season OSU is bringing in a few players, like Carlson, who are more seasoned. “We’ve gone with older kids and younger kids — a good mix. These older guys come with experience, strength.”<\/p>\n
This year, the Bucks bring in 14 newcomers. Among them are three players from the greater Columbus area: Todd Rudasill of Powell, Patrick Schafer of Hilliard, and Markell’s son, Ryan. Other new Ohio natives are John Albert (Concord) and Chris Reed (Solon). Schafer, a forward, had 20 goals with the Omaha Lancers (USHL) last year. <\/p>\n
Ryan Markell, also a forward, had 18 goals with the Trenton Sting (OPJHL), and Reed, a defenseman, had four goals with the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets. <\/p>\n
The Buckeyes will carry the maximum of 30 players on their roster, a hedge against the injuries that have plagued OSU for several years. <\/p>\n
All the Way Home<\/b><\/p>\n
In all, there will be nine native Ohioans on the OSU’s roster this year, the most during Markell’s tenure. <\/p>\n
“I’m excited about … the kids from Ohio,” said Markell. “They all went away and improved their games and they came back and they have a passion to play for Ohio State University, and that’s where it is. That’s five [freshmen] that want to put the sweater on for Ohio State.” <\/p>\n
The Buckeyes may be a team that can sneak in under the radar this season, if they get the consistency they crave. “There’s no mystery to it,” said Markell. “You have to stay healthy, and your goaltending has to be there.”<\/p>\n
Added Jones, “We’ll try to be the same type of team we’ve always been in the CCHA: a hard-working team, tough to play against, and we’ll play within ourselves.” <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In 2006-07, there were two words to describe the Ohio State Buckeyes: 1. Average. The Buckeyes finished seventh in the CCHA with a record of 12-12-4, were a hair below .500 overall, had team stats that ranged anywhere from third to eighth in conference play, and scored as many goals as they allowed overall (120). […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":140328,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[322],"tags":[],"coauthors":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n