Celebration turned to heartbreak Friday night as Missouri hockey watched a three-goal lead evaporate. Oklahoma State scored in the final seconds to steal an 8-7 win, then returned less than 12 hours later to dominate a 4-1 victory, completing a sweep at Washington Park Ice Arena.
The Tigers entered the weekend 6-2 after sweeping Iowa. Friday was also “Pink the Rink” night, with Missouri wearing pink jerseys in a breast cancer awareness event hosted with Mizzou Zeta.
Game 1
Oklahoma State opened the first period on the attack, firing multiple shots on Missouri goalie Joey Christophel. Christophel made several acrobatic saves, keeping the Tigers in the game while Missouri worked to find its offense.
Missouri finally broke through on a power play. Ethan DeGroat and Aaron Hemmer moved the puck with quick passes, setting up Blake Houston for the opening goal. Moments later, a fortunate bounce in front allowed Dominic Carapella to score, with DeGroat picking up his second assist. Nathan Austin’s deflected pass created another opportunity that Houston converted for his second goal of the period, giving Missouri a 3-0 lead after the first 20 minutes.
The second period saw Oklahoma State slowly chip away at the lead. The Cowboys scored early on a two on one breakout, cutting it to 3-1. Houston responded with a top-shelf power-play goal to complete his hat trick, but Missouri could not fully control the pace. A turnover by Andrew Knapp led directly to an odd man rush, which led to an OSU goal. Luckily, Daniel Rudman scored on a long shot that slipped through the goalie’s pads, forcing the Cowboys to pull their starting goalie for the backup.
Missouri’s defensive coverage left openings in the slot. OSU took advantage with another backdoor goal to make it 5-3. Missouri answered on the power play when Brenden Prest scored, assisted by Luke Watson and Knapp, making it 6-3. OSU struck again to finish the second period at 6-4, leaving the Tigers with a lead but clearly on the defensive.
The third period belonged to Oklahoma State. Passing plays repeatedly found open men for one-timers and backdoor goals. A bar-down shot tied the game at 6-6. With Missouri fatigued, OSU controlled the puck and kept pressing. Midway through the period, a fight broke out between Missouri’s Carson Weber and an OSU player, drawing penalties for both teams. Missouri earned a power play but failed to score.
With 1:39 remaining, DeGroat set up Houston for his fourth goal of the game, giving Missouri a 7-6 lead. But the Cowboys responded quickly, tying the game less than a minute later with another pass to the slot. Fifteen seconds from the final buzzer, OSU scored on a rebound to take its first lead of the night and win 8-7.
Missouri’s loss came from a combination of turnovers, missed defensive coverage in the slot, and lapses late in the game, even though Christophel made numerous saves. Houston’s four-goal night and DeGroat’s three assists highlighted the offensive effort, but the Tigers could not hold the lead.
Game 2
Saturday morning’s game saw Missouri short-handed on defense. Bryce Uglow was injured, and Carson Weber was out after his ejection Friday. Despite the smaller lineup, the Tigers came out strong, generating early scoring chances. Matty Muenz ripped a bar-down shot through traffic to give Missouri a 1-0 lead. Oklahoma State responded in front of the net, and the first period ended tied 1-1.
The second period turned against Missouri. Brennan Chinn was ejected for a hit to the head, giving OSU a five-minute power play. Missouri killed the penalty, but a turnover led to a breakaway for the Cowboys. Christophel made the initial save, but a bounce off the pads went in, giving OSU a 2-1 lead. NCAA D1 Michigan State transfer Kaden Nelson added his sixth goal of the weekend to extend the lead.
Missouri had opportunities but could not get past the OSU goalie, who made several key saves, while teammates blocked shots and limited high-danger chances.
In the third period, both teams had scoring chances, but Oklahoma State controlled most of the play. OSU scored again on a power play with a wrist shot from the wing. Missouri pulled Christophel for an extra attacker in the final minute, but the Cowboys quickly found the empty net to make it 4-1 and complete the sweep.
Weekend recap
Missouri showed early flashes of success but was undone by turnovers, missed defensive assignments, and penalties. OSU capitalized on openings in the slot and converted on rebounds and high-danger chances. Special teams made a difference both nights, with Missouri scoring early but failing to maintain momentum, while OSU scored on a power play and a shorthanded rebound goal.
Christophel’s goaltending kept Missouri in both games, but fatigue and a thin lineup limited the Tigers ability to sustain pressure. Oklahoma State’s depth, including 14 freshmen, NAHL veterans, and European talent, allowed them to chase down a comeback in Game 1 and dominate Game 2.
Missouri now has a short break before returning to the ice for a three-game split in Maryville against Maryville, Arkansas, and Lindenwood on Oct. 23, 24, and 25. The Tigers will look to regain momentum and get back in the win column.
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