These Thursday quick picks so far this season have a Ryan Dzingel-specific theme. Last week, I apologized for calling Dzingel “Danny” in my column. This week, Dzingel is popular with the ladies.
The 12-year-old ladies.
In the eye of the adolescent beholder
A message came my way via email that’s too good not to share. A long-time Buckeye fan who calls himself “a usually reliable source” related something he witnessed during OSU’s 2-1 home win over Quinnipiac Oct. 7.
“I was sitting…three rows behind the OSU bench,” said the source, “and behind me were a mom and dad, two hockey-playing boys (around eight and ten), and their 12-year-old sister and her friend.
“The girls weren’t happy about being there,” said the source, “and made no bones about it. After warm-ups, the Bucks skated back out for the introduction without their helmets.”
It was at this point that the young ladies experienced an epiphany — Ryan Dzingel, the 19-year-old freshman from Wheaton, Ill.
“The two girls took one look at Ryan’s wavy blond hair and it was love at first sight. ‘OMG! He is soooooo cute!’ they said. They kept me entertained the rest of the game and they never missed a moment he was on the ice.”
Dzingel isn’t missing many moments, either. He leads the Buckeyes in scoring (3-2-5) with both of OSU’s game-winning goals.
OSU vs. MSU, Thursday and Friday, 7:05 p.m.
Last weekend, the Buckeyes split with Notre Dame in South Bend, taking multiple-goal leads in both Friday’s 5-2 loss and Saturday’s 4-3 win. The win wasn’t as close as the numbers would indicate; OSU led 4-0 going into the third, when the Irish began playing better in front of Mike Johnson, who took over for Stephen Summerhays in net. The Irish needed a five-on-three power play to beat Cal Heeter (3.19 GAA, .901 SV%) for their first goal in that one. In addition to the game winner, Dzingel had an assist in Saturday’s game; his classmate, Max McCormick, had a goal and two helpers in the win.
The Spartans came away from Sault Ste. Marie last weekend with two one-goal games and no points to show for it in 5-4 and 3-2 losses. Senior Brent Perlini (2-3–5) leads MSU in scoring, adding a goal and two assists Friday to give him 50 career points. Junior Torey Krug also had a goal and assist Friday, bringing his career total points to 51 in 80 games. The Spartans are still looking to solidify their blue line; MSU has allowed on average 3.75 goals per game through four contests.
Last season, the Spartans blanked the Buckeyes twice, a 4-0 game in East Lansing and a 2-0 decision in Columbus. The Buckeyes won the other two close contests, 4-3 in OT in Munn and 4-2 with an empty-net goal in the Schott.
Pick: So much transitioning for each team. Many young Buckeyes; new coaches for MSU. Statistically, the teams are evenly matched. MSU 3-2, OSU 4-2
I’m heading to East Lansing Friday, looking forward to my first game of the season in person. Say hello if you see me. Follow on Twitter and I promise to say hello to you: @paulacweston.
