Badger Women vs. aOSU

...as in "An" Ohio State University. In fact, as I learned yesterday on a drive to Toledo for business, there is at least one satellite OSU campus (further research shows that there are four). Which means that "the" Ohio State University is just one of many, and therefore has no right to use the word "The".

But I digress.

It's not that often that our beloved Badgers travel to Columbus, Ohio, especially for hockey. With the men's hockey teams in different conferences, I doubt that I'll see them make the 8-hour bus ride to my adopted neck of the woods in the near future. But the women's team is a different story, as they are in town this weekend to take on the Buckeye ladies. Maybe the word "ladies" is a little generous.

But I digress again.

This weekend, the Buckeyes will miss their top overall scorer (31 points), Laura McIntosh, and their leading goal-scorer (17), Natalie Spooner, this weekend. Both are playing for the Canadian U-22 team in Switzerland at the MLP Cup. Meanwhile, Wisconsin will be without four players, Stefanie McKeough and Brittany Haverstock on the blueline and Mallory Deluce and Carolyn Prevost at forward, all playing in the same tournament. Luckily for my viewing pleasure, the USA is not playing in this tournament, meaning Hilary Knight and leading scorer Meghan Duggan will both be with the team in Columbus. Also, if you can tell me what MLP stands for, you win a bonus life point, because I can't find it on my quick scan of the internets.

I'll be tweeting live from tonight's game starting at 7:00 Eastern, and hopefully at tomorrow's 4:00 faceoff as well, so keep your Twitter accounts locked to @TexWestern. It's a great day for hockey! ...Even if it is at the 1,000-seat OSU Ice Rink instead of the Kohl Center.

Osiecki Takes Head Coaching Job At Ohio State

Wisconsin took it's first huge hit off the off season (with respect to Kevin Patrick) on Saturday afternoon when it was announced that top Wisconsin Assistant Coach Mark Osiecki would be taking over the head coaching duties at The Ohio State University. Osiecki replaces John Markell, who's contract wasn't renewed.

Coach Osiecki has been apart of the Badger hockey program for the last six seasons. He is the recruiting coordinator and in charge of coaching our world renowned defensive core. Osiecki was a part of two Frozen Four teams while at Wisconsin including one National Championship team in 2006. Osiecki also won a National Championship as an assistant coach at North Dakota in 1997. Osiecki has head coaching experience, as he was the head coach and General Manager for the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL for seven seasons.

As a player, Osiecki won a National Championship with Wisconsin in 1990. He was a three year letter winner with the Badgers before taking his game to the National Hockey League. Osiecki spent six seasons in the NHL with four teams before an injury ended his career.

Osiecki also has experience internationally. The 1994 graduate from the University of Wisconsin was an assistant with Team USA at the 1999 and 2000 World U18 Championships where the United States won silver medals. Osiecki also recently won a gold medal with the USA U-20 squad at the World Junior Championships in Regina.

The loss of Osiecki puts the Badgers in an unusual situation, as now they need to replace both assistant coaches. Last month it was announced that the other Badgers assistant coach, Kevin Patrick would be taking the head coaching job with the new expansion USHL franchise in Muskegon, MI.

As a Wisconsin hockey fan, the loss of Mark Osiecki scares the hell out of me. We all knew that this day would come eventually but I don't think any of us prepped ourselves enough for this. Coach Osiecki is THE top assistant coach in the country and it's going to be extremely tough to fill his shoes. He was a the point where his name alone was good enough to land elite defensive recruits who wanted to learn from him.

I would personally like to congratulate coach OZ and like to thank him for his time in Madison. He's been absolutely OUTSTANDING since he's been on our coaching staff. He will be tough to replace.

Coach Osiecki finalist for OSU Position

Per CHN:

http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2010/04/21_ohiostate.php

Ohio State is completing interviews this week, and could name a coach as early as next week.

Ohio State is the last of three CCHA schools that had head coaching openings to name its choice. Western Michigan went with former Miami assistant Jeff Blashill, while Bowling Green subsequently went with Miami assistant Chris Bergeron.

Ohio State had been expected to attempt a run for a big name or at least current, experienced head coach. But whether by choice or because it was turned down, that appears not to be the case. Those interviewed include three current Division I assistants — Mark Osiecki of Wisconsin, Casey Jones of Cornell (an assistant at Ohio State under John Markell for 13 seasons before departing for his alma mater two years ago), and Boston College assistant Mike Cavanaugh.

Osiecki has head coaching experience in the USHL. Jones and Cavanaugh have not been head coaches before.

Coach Oz is a huge part of our recruiting, and is THE reason that we consistently turn out such a solid D-corps. Every time a Badger blueliner gets drafted, the NHL GM makes comments about how well defensemen develop at UW, and you know that has a huge benefit for recruiting.

We know Coach Oz might have his sights set higher, and certainly we will wish him the best if he chooses to become the OSU bench boss. But, for my own selfish reasons as a UW fan, I sure hope he can stick around, because he is a huge part of our program's success right now. I can only hope that Coach Eaves has his eye on a dynamite successor if Osiecki leaves.

Ohio State Coach John Markell....FIRED

Well that didn't take too long. Less than 48 hours after Ohio State's season ended after a playoff series loss to Miami, Ohio State has decided not to renew head coach John Markell's contract. Aka....he got CANNED.

“We appreciate John’s service to the institution but most importantly the young men he mentored,” Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said in a news release. “He is a class person with great integrity. We wish him the best as he pursues his next opportunities.”

This move is probably long over due for a program like Ohio State. In my opinion there is no excuse for this program to be where they are at right now. Just look at the situation that they have there. 1, they have name recognition from being an elite Big 10 school. 2, they have a fantastic 17,500 seat game facility that they sell about zero tickets too because of their lack of success during the Markell era. 3, they play in a power conference. 4, they actually have some pretty darn good players there. A player like Zac Dalpe is a flat out superstar.

So this is a good move for Ohio State. I don't think it's a reach to say that the first name that is going to be brought up for this job, and all major coaching jobs is Enrico Blasi from Maimi. Now, I don't think that Ohio State will get Blasi, but they better try. Blasi has basically maxed out the Miami program. Yes, they are great right now, and things look good on the surface, but if Blasi want's to take it to the next level, he should consider stepping in at Ohio State. Everything is in place at Ohio State for them to be a an elite player with the likes of Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, BU, and BC. The only thing missing is an elite coach, and Blasi would give them that.

Scott Bell is another name being thrown around. The head coach at D-3 Hamline in the twin cities has reportedly thrown his name into the ring already. Bell played college hockey for Minnesota and many Minnesota fans want him to to be the successor to Don Lucia if Maturi can ever get him out the door.

Assistant coach names that are being thrown around: Paul Pooley from Notre Dame, Steve Miller from Denver, and unfortunately for badger fans, Mark Osiecki. Pooley has been a head coach already at Providence and is also an Ohio State alumnus, Miller has been a long time assistant at DU and is probably ready to make the move, and Osiecki is the best defensive assistant coach in the country.

"I appreciate the opportunity I had to coach at Ohio State," Markell said. "I'm proud of the young men I had the chance to coach and watch grow up both as hockey players and in life. I'm proud of the accomplishments we had as a team over the years. I wish nothing but the best to the Buckeye hockey program and the people around it. I'm thankful for everyone I worked with at Ohio State, including the assistant coaches, the administration and support staff and the alumni."